Timers for manual LCs

Indeed, if a crossing is operated 'correctly' (that is, not lowered unreasonably early and raised as soon as possible), the penalty shouldn't normally be encountered - the only possible exceptions being when there's a few trains in quick succession or one's unexpectedly delayed in rear of the crossing. If you have to be reminded that you've left the barriers down, whether that's by a mysterious flashing light or a 'phone call from Control (yes, got the t-shirt!!), then you've already unnecessarily delayed road traffic and earned the penalty. To me, the job (in real life and in Simsig) is about minimising the inconvenience to road traffic whilst keeping trains running without delay, which certainly isn't consistent with lowering Stoke Canon barriers before an Up train has even arrived at Exeter - there's plenty of time to get them down after the train is observed to be leaving the station.

I remember a story about some coastal town in a rural area of the UK there a stuck-down level crossing effectively cut off the only road out of town for something on the order of 12-36 hours. The local police showed up, but did nothing until NR could send someone out to rectify the problem. I do not even believe pedestrians were allowed to cross the tracks. The term Sheeple gets thrown around a lot, but that was seriously a case where people needed to deviate from the normal procedure.*

" said:

I'm not sure the 10/15 minutes times are particularly realistic. We do have plenty of standards that are referred to about level crossing times, I believe, but these mostly apply to automatic level crossings where drivers are much more likely to abuse them (due to the lack of full gates). I think our cars are probably smaller than yours so less likely to be totally happy with simply ploughing through gates ;)

I remember a story about some coastal town in a rural area of the UK there a stuck-down level crossing effectively cut off the only road out of town for something on the order of 12-36 hours. The local police showed up, but did nothing until NR could send someone out to rectify the problem. I do not even believe pedestrians were allowed to cross the tracks. The term Sheeple gets thrown around a lot, but that was seriously a case where people needed to deviate from the normal procedure.*

I know some towns near me that were having problems with long freight trains blocking crossings for hours and hours. In protest the local mayor ordered the local police to park a police car on the tracks to see how the railroad liked being blocked in. Local police have also been known to issue citations to the railroad company, issue traffic tickets to the crew or even arrest the train crew for blocking crossings. All such actions are illegal since railroads are a Federal matter, but that doesn't stop the locals from taking action.

Moreover I'd like to see a policeman try and issue a ticket to an HST in full cry :ohmy:

" said:

Moreover I'd like to see a policeman try and issue a ticket to an HST in full cry :ohmy:

Like this?

Peter

" said:

Moreover I'd like to see a policeman try and issue a ticket to an HST in full cry :ohmy:

Like this?

Peter

There are better videos of this situation, but this was the only one I could find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW9RrPUu6j0

BNSF freight trains routinely block the path between several downtown attractions such as the waterfront, convention center and baseball stadium, when the crews are flat switching the yard. Locals will go over, under, around and through the train to get to their destination. I've seen this happen myself, but wasn't able to get my camera out in time for video it. Sure it's unsafe, but I don't think anyone's been killed yet. The city built a pedestrian bridge, but since American's don't like inclines the problem at the level crossing persists.

This picture sums up our philosophy perfectly.

https://www.acm.jhu.edu//~sthurmovik/Railpics/08-10-10_SELKIRK_COLOURS/Amtrak_Hudson-Line-MP168-Crossing-South.html

See, the sign tells you to be careful. Problem solved. B)

Line speed is 110mph BTW.

BNSF freight trains routinely block the path between several downtown attractions such as the waterfront, convention center and baseball stadium, when the crews are flat switching the yard. Locals will go over, under, around and through the train to get to their destination. I've seen this happen myself, but wasn't able to get my camera out in time for video it. Sure it's unsafe, but I don't think anyone's been killed yet. The city built a pedestrian bridge, but since American's don't like inclines the problem at the level crossing persists.

The solution to that particularly American problem is to not build the railway down the middle of the High Street.