Re: signals?

Dave, Glad to see a response from a main liner. If what you say is correct, then we absolutely have to bond our maintenance guy. Bret (jbbane) does have a good idea in that UP has been good to us and it is at least worth at try to approach them for assistance. I also agree with oilczar that I would not like to see us go back to flagging. Besides taking out a gate once installed can be more tramatic and difficult regulation wise, than the initial installation.
One thing came clear to me at the short line FRA conference. In as much as UP and BNSF etc. can afford employees to make certain they meet FRA regs, short liners cannot. And the purpose of the short line conference in Portland was to bring them up to speed on changes in FRA regs. In my personal opinion they probably go easier on short lines, whereas they expect the big guys to handle themselves.
We will be looking into this matter, and I probably shouldn't say anymore than that. It sure does feel great when approaching hwy 7 to see that gate perform. Most travelers revel in the action, jump out to take photos, wave and generally seem to be excited to see the train. Whether I am conducting, braking, firing or at the throttle I make certain I watch the crossing, the gate and the highway traffic, and feel like a kid inside as I wave at folks. This is part of what volunteering on SVRy is all about. I'm getting myself all hyped up for next season already.
dan