 RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA
 ·Verizon Wireless..
 ·Comcast
| Some Trains Not Blowing Whistle Aproaching A Crossing This has been going on for years. It happens across the street from where I work, so I see it almost daily.
Trains go through here on a regular basis. Some blow their horn/whistle, prior to crossing the road it crosses here, and some don't. I might add, they do come through this point at a heavy clip.
There are no arms or what ever they are called that come down to block cars from crossing when a train is approaching. And there is no lights...just railroad crossing signs.
I have called CSX on this several times over the years, taken videos, and shown them to the local police dept., and they have called CSX. But this continues to happen several times a week.
I have personally told CSX on the phone the number of the trains, and the time and location this takes place...but it continues even though I have been told it will be taken care of.
I really would like to know wtf is going on here.
Maybe I should get the local news crew out here?
I'm asking for suggestions here...what would you do?
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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 kontosxyzzy
join:2001-10-04
West Henrietta, NY | said by Robotics:I'm asking for suggestions here...what would you do?
I'd remember to look both ways before using that crossing. |
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 SnakeoilIgnore Button. The coward's feature.Premium
join:2000-08-05
Mentor, OH
kudos:1
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·magicjack.com
| reply to Robotics
quote:
Maybe I should get the local news crew out here?
Not the news crew, as they'd be easy to spot. But maybe their "investigator". First record the train[s] a few times, then send in the video to the local TV news team. Request help with this issue.
If the engineer sees a news crew, he may blow the horn, like he is supposed to. Hence why you'd want it "under cover" at first.
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Is a person a failure for doing nothing? Or is he a failure for trying, and not succeeding at what he is attempting to do? What did you fail at today?. |
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RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
·Comcast
| reply to kontos
said by kontos:said by Robotics:I'm asking for suggestions here...what would you do?
I'd remember to look both ways before using that crossing. I don't use the road, and it's in the woods...your not going to see very far in either direction, due to trees everywhere...unless you are already on the track.
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
·Comcast
| reply to Snakeoil
said by Snakeoil:
Not the news crew, as they'd be easy to spot. But maybe their "investigator". First record the train[s] a few times, then send in the video to the local TV news team. Request help with this issue.
If the engineer sees a news crew, he may blow the horn, like he is supposed to. Hence why you'd want it "under cover" at first.
I like this approach. And I already have a few videos.
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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netboy34
join:2001-08-29
Kennesaw, GA
kudos:1 | reply to Robotics
Are there any lit crossings with or without crossing arms nearby? If so to they sound the horn for those?
You may want to call CSX and ask to have their maint. crew to check if the Whistle markers are still there (white square with W on it). If an engineer isn't familiar with the area, not having one of those markers, they may not know there is a crossing coming up. Granted, in my opinion, the engineer should report a missing marker once they blow through the intersection even if not required.
On the other hand, If your area has a ban on horns during certain parts of the day, that can very well be the reason why. I would also check with someone that knows the state/county/city ordinances.
I'm Not an engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night :P And I've been around trains since I was a kid... However your mileage may vary. |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:2 | reply to Robotics
»www.fra.dot.gov/ |
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 HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | reply to netboy34
said by netboy34:Are there any lit crossings with or without crossing arms nearby? If so to they sound the horn for those?
You may want to call CSX and ask to have their maint. crew to check if the Whistle markers are still there (white square with W on it). If an engineer isn't familiar with the area... This isn't a certainty, but one of my wife's uncles is a train engineer and it seemed to me that he "drove" the same route pretty routinely, so he is familiar with the track (curves, crossings, etc). I suspect most trains operate similarly. |
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HallPremium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
kudos:2 | reply to Robotics
Sadly, I know one thing that would force CSX to make a change. I think most people can guess what that is too... |
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 wapuBroadband RangerPremium
join:2001-09-05
Boca Raton, FL | said by Hall:Sadly, I know one thing that would force CSX to make a change. I think most people can guess what that is too...
Just have your camera ready when the bus full of nuns and orphans gets creamed. Then you will get the arms and a reduced speed.
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RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
·Comcast
| reply to netboy34
said by netboy34:Are there any lit crossings with or without crossing arms nearby? If so to they sound the horn for those?
**Yes, but they are several miles down the road/track. Not sure its I would call it nearby, but in the same town.
You may want to call CSX and ask to have their maint. crew to check if the Whistle markers are still there (white square with W on it). If an engineer isn't familiar with the area, not having one of those markers, they may not know there is a crossing coming up. Granted, in my opinion, the engineer should report a missing marker once they blow through the intersection even if not required.
On the other hand, If your area has a ban on horns during certain parts of the day, that can very well be the reason why. I would also check with someone that knows the state/county/city ordinances.
**Don't think there is any ban here. I hear whistels blowing all hours of the day/night. Even from my house 11 miles away.
I'm Not an engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night :P And I've been around trains since I was a kid... However your mileage may vary.
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
·Comcast
| reply to Hall
said by Hall: This isn't a certainty, but one of my wife's uncles is a train engineer and it seemed to me that he "drove" the same route pretty routinely, so he is familiar with the track (curves, crossings, etc). I suspect most trains operate similarly.
Of all the years I have seen this happen, It "most the time" occurs around the same time frame of the day. So I do and have suspected it is only one conductor doing this. It has also been the train that rolls through much faster then others.
I see their crews out here fairly often trimming trees, etc. in and around the crossing I'm talking about. So without actually walking the track, I would think the sign you are talking about would be there. Maybe if I do get the nerve I will check this out. It is on private property, so I have yet done this.
Thanks for your response.
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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RoboticsSee You On The Dark SidePremium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA Reviews:
·Verizon Wireless..
·Comcast
| reply to Hall
said by Hall:Sadly, I know one thing that would force CSX to make a change. I think most people can guess what that is too...
Already happened (once that I know of). And it of all things was a school bus. But was not at the crossing I am speaking about here.
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Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. |
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 burner50Proud Union THUGPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Texas
kudos:1
1 edit | reply to Robotics
Sounds like what is known as a private crossing. These are very different than a public crossing.
Calling the police is ridiculous. The local police have zero authority over the railroads.
If you think they should be blowing horns in The area, call the FRA field office.
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I'm tired of killing stupid people just trying to do my job and go home! |
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 Duramax08Win8 sucksPremium
join:2008-08-03
San Antonio, TX | reply to Robotics
Some places around time have "quite zones" when they can't blow their horns at certain times of the day or not at all because the neighborhoods were complaining about how loud they were.
Look both ways before crossing. |
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Reviews:
 ·LUS Fiber
·Brown Dog Networks
| reply to Robotics
i was a locomotive engineer and can tell you that certain xings in chicago (especially through affluent neighborhoods) were no-blow. People would call in and complain if they even heard the train bell.
If it happens in the same time frames every day I would suspect there is a rule for it as not using the horn at a grade crossing would be a level 5 infraction and result in termination of the conductor and engineer.... and also result in fines levied against the above said. |
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quatrixPremium
join:2005-02-11
South FL
kudos:2 | reply to Hall
said by Hall:Sadly, I know one thing that would force CSX to make a change. I think most people can guess what that is too... Natural selection? |
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burner50Proud Union THUGPremium,VIP
join:2002-06-05
Texas
kudos:1
1 edit | reply to StLCardsFan
They're called "quiet zones" and those crossings are protected with lane dividers, gates, lights, and bells.
I can guarantee that this is not in a designated "quiet zone" as according to the OP, there is no such safety or warning devices.
Unlike most in this thread, I AM a certified locomotive engineer.
I am 99% certain from the previous description that this is what's known as a "private" crossing and horn / bell isn't required. These crossing are usually only protected by a set of cross bucks and a stop sign.
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I'm tired of killing stupid people just trying to do my job and go home! |
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 thegeekPremium
join:2008-02-21
right here
kudos:2
·Suddenlink
| reply to Robotics
I grew up on a farm 20 miles from town. Every time we went to town we would cross 2 sets of tracks. Every time my mom would ask all us kids, "Any choochoos?" And us kids would look and almost always respond, "No choochoos!" Unless, of course, there were actually choochoos coming.
I have continued this with my children. It makes them aware of the danger at an early age. I even say it in my head every time I approach a crossing when by myself. It's a good habit to get into. |
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 MsradellP.E.Premium
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to Robotics
I'll trade you! We live quite near a crossing with gates and lights that is supposed to be the first crossing of a quiet zone yet about 50% of the trains (we have many of them) still blow their horns. Maybe you could use their horns! CSX doesn't seem to care and it keeps telling us the engineers it's can still blow their horns if they see a need even in a quiet zone. |
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