RR Crossing Signals w/crossbucks for high water

[Brian556]

This is pretty ridiculous. Note the custom wording on the crossbucks.



http://www.railpictures.net/photo/476611

[US81]

I've seen similar in Texas - at least down in "Flash Flood Alley" - but I've never seen one with the special crossbucks before.

[talllguy]

That is very weird. Seems like it would send mixed messages to drivers about railroad crossings.

[seicer]

The gates are actually on tracks. This is on Madison Road in Cincinnati.

[Zeffy]

Why do I get the feeling that the 'FLOODGATE CROSSING' is not in the FHWA font? Also, I'm confused -

The gates are actually on tracks.

I don't see any train tracks where the gates are.

[jeffandnicole]

Here's the other side of that overpass.  Clear out of the GSV to see the aerial shot of the area.  Notice the missing gate on the one assembly.  http://goo.gl/maps/NcXr2

I don't see any other tracks either.

[seicer]

Track: http://goo.gl/maps/vkYPb

It's automatic, so the crossing lights and sign are required. As for the type of sign chosen - there is not a set standard when it comes to floodgates. As for the font, it's Clearview. I'm not able to find another example of this in the states.

More on the project (page 3): http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Portals/64/docs/FCE/SeptOct2012_compressed.pdf

[Brandon]

Here's the other side of that overpass.  Clear out of the GSV to see the aerial shot of the area.  Notice the missing gate on the one assembly.  http://goo.gl/maps/NcXr2

I don't see any other tracks either.

There are tracks, but they're tracks for the gate.

[Brandon]

Why do I get the feeling that the 'FLOODGATE CROSSING' is not in the FHWA font? Also, I'm confused -

The gates are actually on tracks.

I don't see any train tracks where the gates are.

They're not train tracks, they're tracks for rolling the gates open and closed.

[Zeffy]

They're not train tracks, they're tracks for rolling the gates open and closed.

OH, now I see them. How do these activate anyway? Manual, or automatically based upon the stage of the water?

[seicer]

Yes Brandon - they are still tracks. It's a floodgate, not a railroad. The signs are not confusing to anyone.

--

Zeffy: There is a wet well with a pipe that connects to the creek. When the water rises in the well, a green float will activate a pre-warning switch; another float will send a signal to the gate to start closing.

[Brian556]

When I saw this picture, I had no idea there were actual gates. I thought these signals were just for high water under the RR trestle.

[jeffandnicole]

Yes Brandon - they are still tracks. It's a floodgate, not a railroad. The signs are not confusing to anyone.

Anyone? 

[Pete from Boston]

Zeffy: There is a wet well with a pipe that connects to the creek. When the water rises in the well, a green float will activate a pre-warning switch; another float will send a signal to the gate to start closing.

I love this very simple, sump-pump-style setup. 

I am curious how sophisticated a provision exists for when something is obstructing the gates.

[Zeffy]

I am curious how sophisticated a provision exists for when something is obstructing the gates.

I'd imagine that whatever is in the gate's way would want to get out of the way before getting plowed. I mean, trains don't stop if there's a car on the tracks when the gate is down, so I doubt a floodgate would stop if someone was idling on the track.

[DaBigE]

I am curious how sophisticated a provision exists for when something is obstructing the gates.

I'd imagine that whatever is in the gate's way would want to get out of the way before getting plowed. I mean, trains don't stop if there's a car on the tracks when the gate is down, so I doubt a floodgate would stop if someone was idling on the track.

A train has a bit of moementum behind it. Depending on what kind of motor is moving those gates and how fast they close, it could just stop in place/put some nice dents into said vehicle. Or, it could slowly crush it like a soda can.

[Kacie Jane]

Why do I get the feeling that the 'FLOODGATE CROSSING' is not in the FHWA font?

Can't tell for sure, but it definitely looks like it might be Clearview.

Yes Brandon - they are still tracks. It's a floodgate, not a railroad. The signs are not confusing to anyone.

Anyone? 

Definitely seems confusing to me, having a railroad style gate in close proximity to a railroad overpass. I can't imagine the average driver would be able to make out that the crossbuck says "floodgate" instead of "railroad", especially since there's no reason they should expect to have to read the sign.

Fortunately though, I think worst case scenario is that they stop at the gate like they're supposed to; they just have no idea why.