The Northern Central R..R of New Freedom, PA (AKA Steam Into History) had new crossing signals & gates installed at either end of Glen Rock, PA where they cross the "main drag" twice. I noticed that there's also a set of flashers that are oriented along the path of the train. I'd never noticed this setup before but maybe its just me. Are they intended to signal the approaching engineer?
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I think they are aimed towards the bike/walking path, not the train engineer.
I agree, they're aimed towards the bike/walking path.... However on a normal crossing there's also a set of white lights or opening that the train crew can see approaching the crossing to determine whether the flashers are working.
Its for the pedestrians, the problem with the path is the animals, horses and dogs. Both are a problem with the lack of fencing between the tracks and trail. when we run speeders on the line we have to idle past horses, they just go nuts when a popper runs by. I've almost run over several dogs people just let run free. one almost caught my wheel chasing me.
I've noticed the horse back riders like the heads up so they can control there horse. when the meet occurs. they can dismount and hang onto the riens before the horns and whistles start going off. The animals can here them coming long before we do.
The trail also crosses the tracks in several locations. I cant be sure it has a fork off the trail at this crossing, which would require them.
Jamie
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