Discussions

Tonight while at Wok Box for supper, noticed the flashing lights at the railway crossing....with train not too far down the tracks.....And I can't believe how many cars crossed the tracks! Is there something wrong with our drivers not paying attention to these things....Now we know why the trains have to blow their whistles going through the city....Stupidity like this makes whistle blowing....definitely a must.

I do it .Against the law yep. I do it but only when.  
 
A) The train is stopped. Happens all the time.  
 
B) The train is backing up. Shunting cars etc.  
 
C) The train is crawling/near stopped . This one is a dumb one to do but I judge the speed.  
 
These tracks lights come on many times when they are not needed. It could be shunting of cars/repair crews working near by. I will tell you this lights on or not once the engineer sounds his horn I stop.  
 
Guilty as charged. I never have heard of a accident on the CN line in town. Probably one reason there is no crossing barriers. Low speed track where both driver and engineers can see a long way off.  

I believe it was last year, there was a accident between a car and train at 34th. Apparently the driver didn't know the train was coming.

It's actually not against the law, Doug.  
 
Despite clause (6)(a), a driver who stops at a railway crossing because an electrical or mechanical traffic control device is signalling the proximity of a railway train may proceed across the crossing if the train is stopped, or is not in close proximity to the crossing, and if he or she can do so safely and without stopping before clearing the crossing.  
 
https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/h060f.php#134(7)

Thank for that info ultra. I respect rail crossings in general and the big arsed trains even more.  
 
It takes forever and a day to stop them when they are clipping along at high speeds. They still can kill at the speeds the do in Brandon so if I do decide to ignore the lights it is a decision thought out.  

You still have to stop if the signals are flashing. You can then go if it is safe. The CN Police give out tickets on 1st street all the time for those who don't stop.  
 
Stopping at railway crossings  
 
134(2) The driver of a vehicle approaching a railway crossing shall stop the vehicle before proceeding across the crossing if  
 
(a) a "stop" or "arrêt" sign is erected at the crossing;  
 
(b) a clearly visible electrical or mechanical traffic control device at the crossing is signalling the proximity or passing of a railway train;  
 
(c) a crossing gate is lowered or partly lowered, or a flag person is signalling the proximity or passing of a railway train; or  
 
(d) a railway train is in dangerous proximity to the crossing and is giving an audible signal or is visible.  

To keep in mind. Although I don't think Brandon has any crossings with multiple tracks, you need to be extremely cautious when crossing these with the lights flashing. There could be a stationary or reversing train on one track, blocking your view of a train approaching on the second track. I think in most cases with multiple tracks there would he gates, but I sure wouldn't bet my life on it!

1st and Van Horne Avenue in Brandon has two tracks crossing the road.  

I always tell people to treat crossings like this:  
 
If there are just the crossbucks with no lights or bells, treat it like a "Yield" sign - slow down, check both ways and proceed if it's safe.  
 
If the crossing has crossbucks with flashing lights and bells, treat it like a "Stop" sign - come to a complete stop, check in both directions and proceed if safe to do so.  
 
If the crossing has crossbucks, flashing lights, bells and gates that are lowered to block the road, treat it like a red traffic light - come to a complete stop and you may NOT proceed unless directed by police or a railway employee.  
 
In all cases, if there is more than one set of tracks, be very aware that a train may be approaching the crossing from either direction on either set of tracks even if there is a train already there or one has just passed.  
 
Please be careful and remember that if you play "chicken" with a train, the train never loses.  

JR said "I always tell people to treat crossings like this:     If there are just the crossbucks with no lights or bells, treat it like a "Yield" sign - slow down, check both ways and proceed if it's safe.     If the crossing has crossbucks with flashing lights and bells, treat it like a "Stop" sign - come to a complete stop, check in both directions and proceed if safe to do so.     If the crossing has crossbucks, flashing lights, bells and gates that are lowered to block the road, treat it like a red traffic light - come to a complete stop and you may NOT proceed unless directed by police or a railway employee.     In all cases, if there is more than one set of tracks, be very aware that a train may be approaching the crossing from either direction on either set of tracks even if there is a train already there or one has just passed.     Please be careful and remember that if you play "chicken" with a train, the train never loses.   "

I agree with everything except that a railroad employee is forbidden by rule from signaling traffic to proceed through a crossing. It came from an incident at a double track crossing when an employee signalled traffic to proceed and a car was hit by a train on the adjacent track. At least thats what I was told by a rules instructor.