2.12 Railroad Crossings

2.12 Railroad Crossings

Railroad crossings are always dangerous. Every such crossing must be approached with the expectation that a train is coming.

Never Race a Train to a Crossing

Never attempt to race a train to a crossing. It is extremely difficult to judge the speed of an approaching train.

Reduce Speed

Speed must be reduced in accordance with your ability to see approaching trains in any direction, and speed must be held to a point which will permit you to stop short of the tracks in case a stop is necessary.

Don’t Expect to Hear a Train

Because of noise in the cab, you cannot expect to hear the train horn until the train is dangerously close to the crossing.

Don’t Rely on Signals

You should not rely solely upon the presence of warning signals, gates, or flagman to warn of the approach of trains.

Double tracks require a double check. Remember that a train on one track may hide a train on the other track. Look both ways before crossing. After one train has cleared a crossing, be sure no other trains are near before starting across the tracks.

Yard areas and grade crossing in cities and towns are just as dangerous as rural grade crossings. Approach them with as much caution.

Stop Requirements

A full-stop is required at grade crossings whenever:
• The nature of the cargo makes a stop mandatory under state or federal regulations.
• Such a stop is otherwise required by law.

Crossing the Tracks

Railroad crossings with steep approaches can cause your unit to hang up on the tracks.

Never permit traffic conditions to trap you in a position where you have to stop on the tracks. Be sure you can get all the way across the tracks before you start across.

Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks.

Safety First!
Jayson Z