What's the rule
trixter
questioning what the rule is on how long trains can block
intersections. I've been looking all over the Internet trying to
figure it out and I can see that it varies from place to place, but
nowhere can I find what the rule of thumb is. I've heard that a
train can "sit" for no longer than 20 minutes, but as long as
it's moving it can block an intersection for as long as it wants.
Others have heard that they've got twenty minutes to get through an
intersection or there's a fine possible. We're just curious what
the general rule was. Also, if anyone knows what the regulation for
Indiana is that would be icing on the preverbal cake.
Thanks for your help resolving our debate.
Wes
Jason A. Ciastko
news:1120834991....@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
I believe in Indiana it's 10 minutes unless there is an emergency. I'm
pretty sure it's only if they are physically stopped.
There was a big flap around here (South Bend) about trains blocking a grade
crossing in Granger for long periods of time while they switched an
industry. The police basically said since they were moving, there was
nothing they could do.
Jason
trixter
messed up that you're from South Bend...We're writting this message
from IUSB. What's the odds.
el...@no.spam
trixter <trixt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Got a question from a layman here. My buddies and I have been
>questioning what the rule is on how long trains can block
>intersections. I've been looking all over the Internet trying to
>figure it out and I can see that it varies from place to place,
>but nowhere can I find what the rule of thumb is. I've heard
>that a train can "sit" for no longer than 20 minutes, but as
>long as it's moving it can block an intersection for as long as
>it wants.
For California:
1. TRAIN MOVEMENTS--Except as provided in Paragraph 5, a public
grade crossing which is blocked by a stopped train, other than
a passenger train, must be opened within 10 minutes, unless no
vehicle or pedestrian is waiting at the crossing. Such a cleared
crossing must be left open until it is know that the train is
ready to depart. When recoupling such a train at the crossing,
movement must be made promptly, consistent with safety.
2. SWITCHING MOVEMENTS--Switching over public grade crossings
should be avoided whenever possible. If not reasonably possible,
such crossings must be cleared frequently to allow a vehicle or
pedestrian to pass and must not be occupied continuously for
longer than 10 minutes unless no vehicle or pedestrian is waiting
at the crossing.
3. GRADE CORSSING PROTECTION CIRCUITS--Cars or locomotives
must not be left standing nor switches left open within the
controlling circuits of automatic gate protection devices unless
time-out features are provided to allow the gate arms to rise.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy for a
moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any blocking
resulting from compliance with State and Federal laws and
regulations, terrain and physical conditions, adverse weather
conditions, conditions rendering the roadbed or track structure
unsafe, mechanical failures, train accidents, or other
occurrences over which the railroad has no control, except that
such crossing shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy for a
moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any blocking
resulting from compliance with State and Federal laws and
regulations, terrain and physical conditions, adverse weather
conditions, conditions rendering the roadbed or track structure
unsafe, mechanical failures, train accidents, or other
occurrences over which the railroad has no control, except that
such crossing shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy for a
moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any blocking
resulting from compliance with State and Federal laws and
regulations, terrain and physical conditions, adverse weather
conditions, conditions rendering the roadbed or track structure
unsafe, mechanical failures, train accidents, or other
occurrences over which the railroad has no control, except that
such crossing shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy
for a moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any
blocking resulting from compliance with State and
Federal laws and regulations, terrain and physical conditions,
adverse weather conditions, conditions rendering the
roadbed or track structure unsafe, mechanical failures,
train accidents, or other occurrences over which the
railroad has no control, except that such crossing
shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy
for a moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any
blocking resulting from compliance with State and
Federal laws and regulations, terrain and physical conditions,
adverse weather conditions, conditions rendering the
roadbed or track structure unsafe, mechanical failures,
train accidents, or other occurrences over which the
railroad has no control, except that such crossing
shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy
for a moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any
blocking resulting from compliance with State and
Federal laws and regulations, terrain and physical conditions,
adverse weather conditions, conditions rendering the
roadbed or track structure unsafe, mechanical failures,
train accidents, or other occurrences over which the
railroad has no control, except that such crossing
shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
4. There are no time restrictions for crossing occupancy
for a moving train continuing in the same direction.
5. These time limit provisions shall not apply to any
blocking resulting from compliance with State and
Federal laws and regulations, terrain and physical conditions,
adverse weather conditions, conditions rendering the
roadbed or track structure unsafe, mechanical failures,
train accidents, or other occurrences over which the
railroad has no control, except that such crossing
shall be cleared with reasonable dispatch.
6. In the event of any uncontrolled blockage involving more
than one grade crossing and a peace officer is on the
scene, primary consideration shall be given to the
clearing of that crossing which, in the peace officer's
judgment, will result in the minimum delay to
vehicular traffic.
7. A crew member of a train blocking a public crossing
shall immediately take all reasonable steps,
consistent with the safe operation of such train,
to clear the crossing upon receiving information
from a peace officer, member of any fire department,
as defined in Section 2801 of the Vehicle Code, or
operator of an emergency vehicle, as defined in Section
165 of the Vehicle Code, that emergency circumstances
require the clearing of the crossing.
--
http://www.spinics.net/rail/
Richard S.Simerson II
<el...@no.spam> wrote in message
news:11208973...@localhost.localdomain...
> In article <1120834991....@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com>,
> trixter <trixt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Got a question from a layman here. My buddies and I have been
> >questioning what the rule is on how long trains can block
> >intersections. I've been looking all over the Internet trying to
> >figure it out and I can see that it varies from place to place,
> >but nowhere can I find what the rule of thumb is. I've heard
> >that a train can "sit" for no longer than 20 minutes, but as
> >long as it's moving it can block an intersection for as long as
> >it wants.
"HOURS OF SERVICE LAW " is in effect for the effected crew. The train must
be "TIED DOWN" and the crew can not move the train or they will loose their
job!