Talk:Level crossing
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[edit] Grade crossings in Ireland
The Level crossing article has considerable info on Crossings around the world -- nothing on level crossings in Ireland, which is not a huge problem for me.
But I do have a very complete set of detailed photographs of an Irish grade crossing, including the resident 'flagman' and flagman's booth (exterior and interior), taken in 2003. If anyone is interested in having such pics, let me know on my talk page. I'll be glad to share them. N2e 00:27, 2 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] image at the top of the page
Lovely as the animation is, even the thumbnail version is 2.2 MB, which is excessive for anyone not possessing a fast broadband connection. If no one opposes, I would like to remove the image soon. --Qviri (talk) 22:05, 11 June 2006 (UTC)
- I agree. We also seem to have rather too many images that add little to the evidence other than to demonstrate that "we too have level crossings". I would propose a critical review of the available images and reduce down to those that add real value and information irrespective of their country of origin. My honest view is no a single one is really of the quality desired to clearly explain to a person unfamiliar with a level crossing exactly what this thing is. Velela 23:15, 11 June 2006 (UTC)
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- Yeah, I looked through the page looking for a picture to replace the top one with, and couldn't really find a good one. The Montana one seems to come the closest, but there's too much sky in that one... --Qviri (talk) 23:17, 11 June 2006 (UTC)
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- I concur. Drop the LARGE animation. N2e 12:19, 14 June 2006 (UTC)
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- Surprised not to see a picture of the almost iconic UK gated level crossing; white gates, red disc, signal box etc. Surely that would greatly add to the article? Graldensblud 23:38, 27 May 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Last para of 2.7 United States
Mixes Illinois and Connecticut. Unclear what is in place in CT, needs clarification, & references about crossing protection. Are four-quadrant gates used? :::Keo 03:50, 26 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] School buses and other vehicles at grade crossings
In most if not all U.S. states, as well as in Canada, I belive that all school buses, intercity buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials must come to a complete stop before crossing a railroad track. At least in the case of school buses, the driver must open the door and the driver's window in order to clearly see (and hear) that a train is not coming before attempting to proceed. This practice is observed (at least for school buses) even if gates and signals are present.
In the case of vehicles with manual transmissions, it is illegal to shift gears while on the railroad track, so the driver must start (and remain) in a low enough gear to clear the track before shifting.
Despite these precautions, accidents do occur, often with significant damage and loss of life. The results are often major lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, and further refinement of railroad-crossing practices.
What are the laws and practices in other countries regarding such vehicles crossing railroad tracks? 71.142.70.254 03:58, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Consensus on Level Crossings
The current version of the article says "The consensus in contemporary railway design is to avoid the use of level crossings."; I'm about to delete that text, because I do not believe is is accurate internationally. In the Boston area, the MBTA just opened the Greenbush Line for revenue service less than two weeks ago, after decades of there being no active railroad on that right of way, and it has a number of grade crossings, which I think demostrates that in the US there is still a great deal of tolerance for using grade crossings where they are convenient in new construction. (Perhaps the Greenbush line doesn't quite count as new construction, since it is built on a right of way that has been an active railroad in the past, however.) JNW2 10:27, 8 November 2007 (UTC)
- Agreed; there are few railroads I can think of that have removed most grade crossings. The Northeast Corridor is the only one that has removed all crossings that comes to mind right now. With the exception of many single purpose subway rails which there isn't enough trackage to consider a consensus. --DP67 (talk/contribs) 20:21, 8 November 2007 (UTC)
- But the Northeast Corridor has grade crossings near New London, CT and in a few other places. JNW2 05:43, 9 November 2007 (UTC)
