When I was a kid I loved crossing gates too. More then the trains even. If I would see one in action it would make my day. Knowing your kid is a fan too makes me feel comfortable to talk about it.
@rpmangin Often times, the signals flash red regardless if the gates malfunction or not, they operate in parallel. The first crossing that comes to mind is the Race st and Parkmoor intersection.
I believe that if the police or other authorities inform the railroad of a malfunctioning gate a conductor is supposed to get off the train and walk ahead of it through the intersection, flagging traffic to make sure it stops. I would have preferred to see that here. However, that might be required only if the signals fail to activate at all.
"there really needs to be a better and safer rail system!" You said it. Those trains run about every 5 min. each direction during rush hour. If that doesn't qualify for grade separation at major 4 lane streets like Rengstorff and Mary, I don't know what does. I've had to wait for up to four trains to pass before I could cross.
Move a little so that we can gain perspective through different views. Excellent commentary! I would have been excited, too! Good of you to take your son there. Police block the crossing rather than lift gates and help traffic through? Or were the signals activating nearly non stop? Anyone look at the track to see if anything was shunting the rails?
@LuxeXx I still like the crossing gates more then the train and I'm turning 21. Nothing wrong with the crossing gates, I love the bells, they are the best part
@rpmangin That is how the train gates here in San Jose appear to operatre; we neighbor Sunnyvale and we're both in Santa Clara County. As an aside, I remember when this happened, and the video makes me chuckle.
To continue with my previous comment, since all four streets have protected left turn signal heads, more than likely, the signal operates on limited sequence, which means the light stays red for the traffic crossing the tracks before the intersection, for traffic turning left over the tracks, and for through traffic on the cross street opposite the tracks.
I wonder if the traffic signals themselves are set to blink red in all directions if the railroad crossing gates malfunction long enough. That's the way it should be.
However, the signal should allow green lights for through traffic on Evelyn Ave, as well as for traffic turning left onto Southbound Mary Ave (away from the tracks). It should also allow a green arrow for Northbound Mary Ave traffic turning left onto Evelyn Ave (and of course, right turns are inconsequential because Northbound Mary Ave traffic can still make a right turn on red).
@Nathanrailfan I thought that usually only happens if the track actually crosses the middle of the intersection. In some cases, if the signal does not have protected turn phases on all sides, it will FLASH red in all directions, turning the intersection into a four way stop, or if the street running parallel to the tracks has a high enough traffic volume relative to the cross street, it will flash yellow for the parallel street and red for the cross street.
@rpmangin That is also typical behaviour on the new or renovated rail crossings around here, whether the gates malfunction or not. The first intersection that comes to mind is the Race St. and Parkmoor intersection here in San Jose.
Very interesting. Sounds like a sensor further down the line had a short. I don't know the area, but if the train was crawling so to speak, chances are the engineers had a heads up and were given a "stop and flag/protect" order for the crossing. I myself would have called either the number on the gate or local law enforcement reporting the malfunction. Side note. I miss the beautiful sound of the Western-Cullen-Hayes mechanical bells.
I've seen something similar--a slow-moving train can confuse the sensor if it slows down, causing the gates to come back up after activation and go down again, even if everything is working fine. However, I don't think that would make the gates do that repeatedly like they do here. It seems likely that this is a malfunction.
There must be some type of Activiation device that the trains hits or goes through that keeps the gates down when a train passes through. Considering it was malfunctioning.
@DJUnibob No need to STOP/FLAG when the siganls are operating. Did Sheppy call the railroad and report the malfunction? I would have walked the tracking looking for something causing a short. Oh. A train is approaching. Maybe a signal system issue.
have you ever been to the Erie Zoo they have a pair of crossing gates at the back of the zoo near the Glenwood Park Avenue picnic tables and as of waldameer park they have 2 sets of gates 1 set at the station another set next to a wall and there is another 1 at North End which is near the flying swings ss wally and wendy's tea party and 1 more set which is by the tunnel where they keep 1 of 2 trains a maroon one then blue one running when blue one in the shed maroon one running or on busy days maroon and blue trains operate that means nothing in the storage shed.
@robertgift You're right on the stop and flag/protect, I did a bit of research on it and as long as they are operating, there is no need. Given that they kept falsely activating, it sounds like an issue with the island circuit or a sensor, though I am thinking island circuit. When I made the earlier comment, I didn't think of the fact that the train may be coming off of a siding or out of a yard where CTC restrictions are in effect, where rail speeds are usually "restricting" (15 mph usually)
@DJUnibob First I would have checked the island. Hopefully it wasn't coming out of a yard. They would haveverything adjusted/compensated for that. Just now noticed that a police officer was there, so this was an unusual problem.
lol speed it up and the process looks kind of funny XD but that would be so annoying to live right next to that loud racket, worst if it malfunctions XD
Around SoCal where Im from, the norm is ONE Left Arrow sig on the mast arm followed by another left arrow sig on the far left corner of the intersection facing which also faces the driver. Again its just OVERKILL. Im all for making sure that there are lights visible to direct you, but thats just a waste of money. Ive seen TOO MANY times in SoCal 2 left turn lanes w/ ONE left arrow sig on a mast arm controlling the lanes. Its just a waste of money. I bet maint. is hell out there for city workers
Looks like the work of pranksters...doesn't take much to set off railroad crossings....all you have to do is take a wire or jumper cables and touch each end to each track within a quarter mile of the crossing....
Lil Sweet For filming those malfunctioning crossing gates you deserve the sweeeeet reward of a diet Dr pepper you filmed with that tiny camera woman sips while lil sweet oh woman mmmmm that is sweet lil sweet Oh Yeah woman oh yeah do you work here lil sweet I like driving the trains woman that's awesome (Justin Guarini) Lil Sweet sliding out on his knees woman he's hot son that loves crossing gates i'm thirsty too Diet Dr. Pepper (It's The Sweet One)
lmao that would SUCK! It's the railroad that cried "train" Someone will get hurt cuz they won't believe a train is really coming. Hmmm... if you don't die that could be some serious lawsuit money. Smart idea for the cops to show up...
