Chasing a train on foot! Minnesota Commercial street-running in Midway, St. Paul, MN

Interesting video. I'd like to check out that double diamonds area next time I'm in the Cities. Looks like a vintage GE Dash 7 being used - nice to see.

Great video, know the are, haven't been there in a long time

I wonder why the conductor doesn't have to flag the Myrtle St crossing with just crossbucks, but did at the factory crossing with flashers.

The LIRR uses an old freight spur through my town mostly to store equipment trains. All of the crossings are marked with crossbucks labeled "Exempt" which means the trains must stop at each street and the conductor flags the crossing until the engine crosses.

Bob

Here is a real SW-9 that you can see running in Flemington NJ.  Runs around a train right in front of you.  Looks just like an Atlas.

Actually the "Exempt" on a RR crossing signs is for school buses and vehicles carrying passenger for hire. They don't need to stop, open the door and etc before proceeding.

@RSJB18 posted:

I wonder why the conductor doesn't have to flag the Myrtle St crossing with just crossbucks, but did at the factory crossing with flashers.

The LIRR uses an old freight spur through my town mostly to store equipment trains. All of the crossings are marked with crossbucks labeled "Exempt" which means the trains must stop at each street and the conductor flags the crossing until the engine crosses.

Bob

That is pretty cool Bob'.  What are those locos?   They look like they've  been around the horn a few times'...

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

That is pretty cool Bob'.  What are those locos?   They look like they've  been around the horn a few times'...

MP 15 AC's. The LIRR has a bunch. To say that they are all well worn is an understatement.

http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrMP15.htm

@RSJB18 posted:

I wonder why the conductor doesn't have to flag the Myrtle St crossing with just crossbucks, but did at the factory crossing with flashers.

The LIRR uses an old freight spur through my town mostly to store equipment trains. All of the crossings are marked with crossbucks labeled "Exempt" which means the trains must stop at each street and the conductor flags the crossing until the engine crosses.

Bob

I did some quick Googling. The regulation, based on some Trainorders threads and FRA guidance, is that if the crossing is equipped with flashers, and the crew sees that it isn't working, they're required to flag it. I can't recall whether there was another gantry behind me and whether it was working or not. By this logic, since the Cleveland Ave. crossing didn't have a device, just the crossbucks and yield sign, they weren't required to flag it.

It could also just be that since the Myrtle and Vandalia intersection was more of a blind corner for motorists, the crew just felt it was safer to flag it. I can't recall whether they flagged Cleveland Ave. when they headed back into the yard or not.

@pittsburghrailfan posted:

I did some quick Googling. The regulation, based on some Trainorders threads and FRA guidance, is that if the crossing is equipped with flashers, and the crew sees that it isn't working, they're required to flag it. I can't recall whether there was another gantry behind me and whether it was working or not. By this logic, since the Cleveland Ave. crossing didn't have a device, just the crossbucks and yield sign, they weren't required to flag it.

It could also just be that since the Myrtle and Vandalia intersection was more of a blind corner for motorists, the crew just felt it was safer to flag it. I can't recall whether they flagged Cleveland Ave. when they headed back into the yard or not.

I had considered that as well. The building is almost out to the road so it makes sense. Better safe that sorry.

@Scotie posted:

Actually the "Exempt" on a RR crossing signs is for school buses and vehicles carrying passenger for hire. They don't need to stop, open the door and etc before proceeding.

Thanks for the clarification. I was told it was the other way around.

Bob

I believe they flag Vandalia because it's considered a main thoroughfare.  It's a freeway exit from I-94 and a primary route up to University Avenue.  I lived in that area for a short time and also worked in that area for much longer.

At the street with crossbucks, the Switchman and the Engineer had a clear view of each other, and -- although the Switchman did not give much of a hand signal to proceed -- he could see that there was no approaching vehicle traffic and did not signal the Engineer to stop, and they were thus not required to flag thet crossing.  The responsibility for stopping falls on motorists.  Unless there is a special instruction requiring flagging of certain crossings, there is no requirement for the train crew to routinely do so.  However, knowledge of the territory and common sense sometimes will cause crews to flag on their own initiative in order to safely cross the road.  They do not want to be involved in crossing collisions, regardless of who has legal responsibilities.  "When in doubt, the safe course must be taken."

@Number 90 posted:

At the street with crossbucks, the Switchman and the Engineer had a clear view of each other, and -- although the Switchman did not give much of a hand signal to proceed -- he could see that there was no approaching vehicle traffic and did not signal the Engineer to stop, and they were thus not required to flag thet crossing.  The responsibility for stopping falls on motorists.  Unless there is a special instruction requiring flagging of certain crossings, there is no requirement for the train crew to routinely do so.  However, knowledge of the territory and common sense sometimes will cause crews to flag on their own initiative in order to safely cross the road.  They do not want to be involved in crossing collisions, regardless of who has legal responsibilities.  "When in doubt, the safe course must be taken."

Thanks for the added insight Tom.

I would hope that common sense would prevail......