@@JanekWL1 tak

Lol

RIP OCELOTS CANT BE TAMED

Dad Rail not being rude but most automatic crossings will have signals

Hi Adam, not rude at all, all comments welcome :-) This can be a confusing area but I will try to explain. Firstly I am a mainline train driver so am familiar with the rules and procedures concerning level crossings. Although on the railway there are often anomalies so I could be wrong. The very nature of an automatic crossing suggests that it is not interlocked with the signalling system, there maybe signals in the area, but they will be independent from the actual crossing, meaning they can show green even when the crossing is up. It would be less confusing to say they are uncontrolled crossings rather than automatic, as many controlled crossings, especially the new MCB-OD type are fully automatic. Basically if a crossing has signals protecting the crossing, it is a controlled crossing, regardless of barrier width ect, this is because the crossing environment is controlled (trains only allowed to pass if crossing is confirmed clear) Where as an automatic, or uncontrolled crossing such as an AHB is not monitored and not interlocked with the signals, if it was interlocked with the signals then it would be a controlled crossing. but as above 10 years on the railway has taught me that there are always anomalies and variations - thats the great thing about working on the railway your always learning :-)

Dad Rail AOCL types of crossings have a white light to show that the crossing lights are flashing and a few that I've seen AHB have a signal showing that the crossing is in operation like a red and a yellow signal

AOCL are slightly different to AHB they are the same in operation as ABCL crossings, these are locally monitored crossings, yes you are correct they have the flashing lights telling train drivers that it is ok to pass over the crossing. They are worked by treadle the same as an AHB that starts the sequence. Also the speed limit over these types of crossings tends to be very low around 20MPH The lights at the crossing however are crossing indicator lights rather than signals. When the lights are not flashing, there is often a manual control plunger at the crossing that the driver can push to start the sequence. However the lights purely tell the driver that the crossing is working, they don't give an indication that the crossings is actually clear of any obstructions. If the white lights are out then drivers are allowed to proceed over the crossing at there discretion, and report it to the signaller. not sure about the signals on an AHB this could be a new thing? can you remember what crossings this was at as I would love to look into it a bit further, like i say the railway is full of anomalies, and every day is a learning day.

It’s ok

She was a bit. I had promised here that we would re-film it, but i got carried away and ended up going with it.

Her eyes are far too distracting. All she has to do is look at or near the camera!

See the text on the diagram: barriers not shown on opposite side of road

Thank Daniel, not pedantic at all. There use to be an AHB at Battle Road on the Hastings line, Its now a CCTV. there was a signal just before the crossing, that use to protect the next level crossing (river hall cctv) and also mountfield sidings. Although the crossing was an AHB it was interlocked with the signal, many times i stopped on the signal, and the crossing barriers were open, they use to go down just before the signal changed to green.

Hiya Dave thanks for your comment. I wouldn't worry too much, I have worked on the Railway for 10 years and have only heard of this happening once. As you rightly say a full barrier crossing will be protected by signals, and yes whilst it is possible that a train can run past a red light, it is uncommon and there are systems in place to stop the train (TPWS) should the train pass a red signal. Also in most cases, if the signal is located close to the level crossing there will be an instruction in the signal box that a train can not approach the signal, even if it is at red until the crossing has been closed. With regards to the reconstruction, it was noting more than camera trickery. We set a camera up on a tripod next to the crossing and then filmed the car going across with the barriers open. With the camera in the same position we then filmed the train going past. The crossing was operating normally with the barriers down and the train was in passenger service. I then used a pice of software called adobe aftereffects to combine the footage of the open crossing and the car, with the footage of the closed crossing and the train. As you will notice the crossing is a half barrier, so i replaced the barrier that was down with footage from the side of the road that did not have a barrier. where the full train was visible. By getting the timings right and applying a few other tricks, i think we got quite a convincing shot.

How they filmed it was most likely, filmed the car crossing safely, then filmed a train going over and edited it

This is why in the US and Canada, high risk vehicles like buses and those carrying hazardous materials, are required to come to a complete stop, roll down the windows or open the door, listen and look prior to any grade (level) crossing, regardless of whether it has automatic gates or not. This is combined with the horn that trains are required to sound in advance to guard against malfunctioning crossing gates. School buses even have a special switch that stops all noise generating items, such as two-way radios and ventilation fans.

Correct. It is Crowhurst Bridge AHB and despite its name, as you rightly say it is located on shrub lane near Burwash

Lol

That’s correct we have a radio system called GSM-R it’s effectively a closed mobile phone network.

@@DadRail Cheers!

Wow that sounds like it needs looking into.

That is a good example of where an automatic crossing with half width barriers would be better.

Thats Correct, under normal circumstance the signal would be clear before the train arrives so as you rightly say the train wouldn't have to stop.

Thats because i live near a MBC too aswell One is a MBC-CCTV one is a MBC with a signal box

Don’t think I’m going to be winning any awards for my editing with that one!

Here in New Jersey, I talked to a train driver. He had been a truck driver and tired of the hours and hassle. He was hired on by NJ Transit and underwent 9 months of training [not to make a pun.]

Have you never heard of TPWS?

The safest crossings are grade separated.

Safe just not as safe. www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/mar/10/level-cross-accident-statistics

@@DadRail you haven't seen dutch railroad crossings yet!

Its purely camera trickery, and some time consuming editing in adobe after effects. The crossing itself was working normally, i just combine several clips of video together.

you caught me :-)

Not on an AHB crossing there is not, but you would have one on an AOCL or ABCL Crossing

I swear there is on AHB There always is???? if you look to your left theres a pole with a red and white flashing light (Signal) there always on a AHB look at beccles bypass on google and your see one >:)

Guarantee there is not an an AHB. Beccles Bypass, is an ABCL crossing, that is Automatic Barrier Crossing Locally Monitored. They look the same as AHB crossings, but as you rightly say there is a flashing white light to indicate to the driver that the crossing is cleared. AKA the crossing operation is monitored locally by the train driver. Also ABCL crossings have severely restricted line speed, i think the max is 25 MPH. there is a good forum post about it here if you want to read more. www.sabre-roads.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37136

I get ya now

The white light doesn't tell the driver the crossing is clear, it tells him the electrical circuitry operating the road signals has operated, it is upto the train driver to establish the crossing is clear before proceeding over it. Hence the term locally monitored.

I wasn't aware of that thank you. Do you know if this is a new requirement?

That's a much simpler, and common sense way than the UK. And I bet all of your crossings are fully automatic too - activated by track sensors. Train activates sensor, bell rings and barriers go down, cars stop, train passes ( while sounding horn as well), job done. None this over complicated controlled crossing nonsense.

Simon Tay Yep, pretty much, bells, lights, and barriers activate, train goes past while constantly using its horn, the barrier opens and everyone proceeds.

Some corrections: Level crossings in the U.S. would be of the "Automatic" type in the UK. The signals are activated through the track circuits in the same way that the wayside train signals are activated-treadles are not used in mainstream US railroading. Most level crossing circuits use an AC frequency (over the DC track circuit) and employ specialized equipment called a _predictor._ The predictor can "hear" how the AC frequency is being shorted out by the train's axles, and can tell exactly how far away the train is, which direction it's moving, and how fast. This allows each level crossing to have a constant warning time of 20-30 seconds no matter how fast any given train is approaching. It will even turn off the signals if the train stops before getting to the crossing. When a signalized level crossing is seen or known to be malfunctioning, the standard procedure is for the crossing to be _flagged._ This means the approaching train must come to a stop before the level crossing, and a member of the crew who isn't the driver (usually it's the conductor) must get off the train and stand in the roadway and wave vehicle traffic to a stop. The train then proceeds slowly, blocks the road way, and then stops to let the crewman back on. Then the train proceeds normally. All trains must perform this action at the level crossing until it's repaired, or unless other employees or officials are already on site (such as a police officer or signal maintainer) who can stop traffic instead. All moving trains in the U.S. are required to ring the bell when approaching a level crossing, passenger station, etc. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether a level crossing bell is functioning. By default, all trains are also required to sound the horn/whistle when approaching a level crossing or passenger station. The whistle signal is formalized as two long blasts, a short, and another long. The signal must be sounded until the train has blocked the roadway, and repeated if necessary. A train going 60 MPH will start this signal approximately ¼ mile (400m) from the crossing; closer if the train is going slower. Some areas have setup "Quiet Zones" which forbid the use of train whistles except in the case of emergency. Trains in these zones only ring the bell. Last but not least, all trains approaching level crossings/passenger stations must have their full headlights on.

Hello :-)

@@DadRail hello thank you for replying I'm like you in ways as I'm in school and intend to become a train driver so could you tell me any qualifications I will need to become a train driver

barriers on over side of road not shown :-)

I'm aware but 1) Trains never reverse. If they SPAD correct procedure is to notify the signaller and await further instructions. 2) Trains don't stop at level crossings unless there is a fault with the crossing and/or protecting signal or other emergency at the crossing. They usually carry on straight through it as the crossing is closed in advance.

​Don't think the reversing was intentional, just editing needing more work

Geoffrey Lee Nah, noise compaints will go up. Our horns are loud enough

They had to make the horns quieter when these trains were 1st introduced because they were too noisy apparently! and they scrapped the rule of blowing the horn going in tunnels

They are starting to add "no train horn" crossings to the U.S. in densely populated areas. They usually upgrade the crossing so that it is hard to bypass the gates (usually by adding or extending the center median), and these crossings usually only have lights, gate, and a bell, but no train horn.

"Quiet Zone" crossings often do have what's called a _wayside horn_ which sounds when trains approach. The horns are aimed down the roadway and keep the noise pollution to a minimum.

:-) - She was very nervous. Defiantly not a UKIP voter she is Portuguese. and she suffers from nystagmus so here eyes are always moving from side to side as she cant keep them still. I don't think she enjoyed being in front of the camera.