Re: NNG But Very Important About Railway Saftey And Crossings

Might I also add. In most states (Colorado included) a pair of crossbucks is considered the same as a stop sign. If you don't stop and look before crossing it just might mean your life.

Remember also, Roads, in almost all cases in the West, are easements across Railroad Right-of-Way. In other words, the Railroad was there first. If your stopped vehicle is blocking the crossing ahead of an oncoming train, then the train is going to hit your vehicle, pure and simple. The laws of inerta will not allow a train to stop like a vehicle, there is just too much tonnage going too fast, even if the train is only going 20 miles per hour. Metal to metal adhesion is only 25%, Rubber on concrete, asphalt or dirt is much better.

One last thing to consider before you don't stop for a pair of tracks. Your car weighs about two tons. A train weighs between 4,000 to 14,000 (in the case of Coal and Grain trains) tons, not pounds, tons. That weight ratio is about the same as your car is to a beer can. Think about it, your car to a train is equal to that Beer can that you just flattened with your front tire.

If you see a pair of tracks, stop and look, even if you've never seen anything cross there before in your life. If your car is stalled on the tracks, get out, get your family out. Your car can be replaced.

From someone who can say "Been there, done that".

Rick Steele



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2008 10:03AM by Rick Steele.