Hwy 7 crossing is about half way between McEwen, where the shops are located, and Sumpter. We are under FRA because of this and the other road crossings. The manner of crossing warning and protection is set by the state, not the FRA.
This was not a mandated crossing gate at the time it was installed. Several years ago 2 crew members were crossing in speeder M32 when a motorist assumed she had the right of way and slammed into them as they crossed. Subsequently the gates and lights were installed. That is the reason I was given anyway. I do not know where they came from, but since the O&NW and UP were abandoned and taken up or in the process of being taken up about that time, I suspect that info is correct regarding the source.
SVRy has two other crossings on county roads (Hwy 7 is a state highway), Huckleberry Loop and Sawmill Gulch Rd. Neither of these are gated. We have no plans to gate them at this time.
The newest road we will cross next season is Austin St. in Sumpter. Austin St. was extended into the Sumpter Dredge State Park in 2003 when we started construction of the new Sumpter Depot, a replica of the original depot, and is now the entrance to the park and our completed depot and gift shoppe.
It has taken SVRy >2 years to get approval to cross Austin street. The state had to approve, even though Austin St. is within the park bounds, and can be locked. Anwhere the public can go, the state controls the crossing requirements. We will have lights, but no gates. The train speed limit will be less than 5mph, and vehicle speeds are limited but I don't remember what it is right now. WE WILL STOP AT THE DEPOT NEXT YEAR FOLKS! Jerry sez so.
We also have three private crossings which the state is aware of and allows, as long as they are posted private and have very limited traffic. We don't whistle for these private crossing btw, bell only. One final crossing near the McEwen yard limits is Chipmunk Trail. I've yet to see anyone hiking this trail through the wildlife reserve, but we blow for it just in case.
dan
