🚀 go-pugleaf

drx@chinet.chi.il.us (Scott Whittle) writes:
>Ok I'll bite.  How does the railroad control the crossing gates?  Here in
>Illinois, Chicago and NorthWestern changed over the technology at the
>crossings about 2 years ago and have had major problems ever since.  Gates
>come down and stay down without a coming locomotive.  Once I watch the gates
>come down when the train (albeit moving about 3mpg) was about 25 feet from the
>intersection.  

>I've also noticed that commuter trains will cause the about 5 gates to come
>down ahead, but a freighter will only bring down 3 ahead.  Anybody will
>any knowledge they would like to share???

      I've seen an ad for a "smart" gate controller that takes data from
multiple points along the track, determines speed, and decides how far in
advance to lower the gate on that basis.  General Railroad Signal, I think.
This is a big advantage on track which has both fast trains (requiring
that the gates go down far in advance) and switching movements (where
nearby trains may move around slowly for considerable periods without
threatening the crossing).

      I've heard the saying "never buy signalling gear from somebody who's
in a better climate than you are".  Most of the old-line companies are in
upstate NY or PA.  Some of the newer stuff comes from places where ice,
snow, salt, heavy plows, and switch heaters aren't part of everyday life.
This creates problems.

					John Nagle