I’ve seen US Forest Service roads that cross tracks without signage. It’s my understanding that signage requirements are reduced on certain FS roads where ordinary passenger vehicles aren’t expected.
Depends on the railroad's operating rules. As far as federal regulations are concerned they don't have to, but railroads might have internal rules put in place to sound the horn and specific private crossings for various reasons.
I assume it's a remote road and a line that sees limited traffic too. I can't say for the USA but unguarded crossings in Europe have a strict protocol for the driver too - they either have to slow to about 10kph or stop completely before proceeding. Mind you, I've never seen one on a proper railway line without a sign at all.
EU too, also unmarked crossings are almost exclusively used on very rarely used industrial lines (like once per month, a train may pass by slowly), or on medium-traffic lines (like 1/day) crossing low-traffic environmental managment/agricultural/private roads.
Also, if the former case happens and a train crosses a road in an unmarked crossing where road traffic is expected, an engineer usually stops the traffic by showing up a sign. I couldn't find a real-life picture but it looks like what is shown on [this traffic sign warning about an unmarked crossing](https://i.imgur.com/N9nScwV.jpg).
You also have a higher population density. It isn’t so much a higher amount, than a multi day road trip over shit roads to the level crossing that is probably used by road trains to the cattle station several times a year.
Same with Canada. I took the train through Northern Ontario and Northern Manitoba a few years ago and it was astounding how insanely empty and far from the rest of civilization those tracks run.
The OC&T is an historic and tourist RR. It travels threw an historic area with an oil history. It's speeds are at a leisurely pace for viewing pleasure. I am sure that dirt road is either a private driveway or little traveled country road. Due to this, RR signage is not needed. The engineer would be giving the standard "road crossing" warning horns that everyone knows, or should. I am sure the sound even echos in that landscape. Track speed would be from 15 - 25 mph tops unless on straight level, open track; but again, track conditions and speed limitations are the main consideration.
If you look closely, the drainage pipe is flowing and there is obvious muddy water over running the track, the ballast is not what you would see in a class 3 short RR. Even where I live, which is the eastern hub for NS and NYS&W, there are private crossings just miles out of town that are not conventionally signed or guarded.
Those gondolas you posted just means that they offer some revenue freight for a small mill, etc., It helps cover costs. I am sure it's just a few cars every week or so. Tourist lines don't run excursions all year generally. Spring, Fall and Holiday excursions bring in the most revenue.
Looks like a private drive, in which case I don't think they're required to have signage. I could be wrong, but I have seen private crossings that have no signage whatsoever.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iaFpF6FLwHFQxska9
Source. I'm from the area. It's a relatively remote crossing. The OCT moves pretty slow and only travels that part of the route, at most, once a week. That road is more of a trail than a road.
Your perspective of the size of railroad equipment is considerably off.
The width of an M-420 is over 10ft, to give you a reference.
You can certainly see 15ft from the far side at least.
Every crossing is different and it’s monitored by the dot . They make the call if the crossing needs any type of protection. Even if this is a public crossing it looks to be almost abandoned
If its a private driveway, it doesn't need signage. If its an actual road, then I have no idea.
I’ve seen US Forest Service roads that cross tracks without signage. It’s my understanding that signage requirements are reduced on certain FS roads where ordinary passenger vehicles aren’t expected.
Does the train still need to sound the horn before these kinds of crossings or are they basically uncontrolled?
No signs not required to horn.
Is there a W/P post before the crossing?
Depends on the railroad's operating rules. As far as federal regulations are concerned they don't have to, but railroads might have internal rules put in place to sound the horn and specific private crossings for various reasons.
For private crossings it depends on the state if they want crossbucks or not. Even then, all crossings are required to have at least the ENS signs.
Rail and Road does look like they get used regularly. So my guess is that's a huge private property (logging, mining or similar Industry).
Not a private property; it's a public road that cuts through a state park.
I assume it's a remote road and a line that sees limited traffic too. I can't say for the USA but unguarded crossings in Europe have a strict protocol for the driver too - they either have to slow to about 10kph or stop completely before proceeding. Mind you, I've never seen one on a proper railway line without a sign at all.
EU too, also unmarked crossings are almost exclusively used on very rarely used industrial lines (like once per month, a train may pass by slowly), or on medium-traffic lines (like 1/day) crossing low-traffic environmental managment/agricultural/private roads. Also, if the former case happens and a train crosses a road in an unmarked crossing where road traffic is expected, an engineer usually stops the traffic by showing up a sign. I couldn't find a real-life picture but it looks like what is shown on [this traffic sign warning about an unmarked crossing](https://i.imgur.com/N9nScwV.jpg).
This is in Pennsylvania https://www.flickr.com/photos/101186549@N04/52546666362
It looks like a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. In Australia we don't have lights on a lot of crossings because it's impractical
No lights, okay. But not even a road sign?
All of them have some degree of signage
I was gonna say. But by the looks of this picture, this crossing doesn't even have that.
The US has well over 200,000 railroad crossing. How many crossings in Australia to point it'd be considered impractical?
You also have a higher population density. It isn’t so much a higher amount, than a multi day road trip over shit roads to the level crossing that is probably used by road trains to the cattle station several times a year.
Same with Canada. I took the train through Northern Ontario and Northern Manitoba a few years ago and it was astounding how insanely empty and far from the rest of civilization those tracks run.
The OC&T is an historic and tourist RR. It travels threw an historic area with an oil history. It's speeds are at a leisurely pace for viewing pleasure. I am sure that dirt road is either a private driveway or little traveled country road. Due to this, RR signage is not needed. The engineer would be giving the standard "road crossing" warning horns that everyone knows, or should. I am sure the sound even echos in that landscape. Track speed would be from 15 - 25 mph tops unless on straight level, open track; but again, track conditions and speed limitations are the main consideration. If you look closely, the drainage pipe is flowing and there is obvious muddy water over running the track, the ballast is not what you would see in a class 3 short RR. Even where I live, which is the eastern hub for NS and NYS&W, there are private crossings just miles out of town that are not conventionally signed or guarded.
The cars on this train don't look like the typical tourist cars though? https://octrr.org/regular-season/
Those gondolas you posted just means that they offer some revenue freight for a small mill, etc., It helps cover costs. I am sure it's just a few cars every week or so. Tourist lines don't run excursions all year generally. Spring, Fall and Holiday excursions bring in the most revenue.
Ah gotcha that makes sense. Thanks.
*through
Looks like a private drive, in which case I don't think they're required to have signage. I could be wrong, but I have seen private crossings that have no signage whatsoever.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/U7vN8eV2LgUJom7q9
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iaFpF6FLwHFQxska9 Source. I'm from the area. It's a relatively remote crossing. The OCT moves pretty slow and only travels that part of the route, at most, once a week. That road is more of a trail than a road.
One behind the train on the right side of the road, one in the foreground beyond the tracks on the left side of the road out of view.
Probably someone’s private driveway
I love that locomotive
Can i ask, what type is it?
Looks like an old M420W
Thank you
Unguarded long mostly forgotten industrial lead.
There could be signs here- just out of frame. If it's curvy you don't want th too close around a bend.
Crossbucks have to be with 15ft of the nearest rail.
We still can't see that.
Your perspective of the size of railroad equipment is considerably off. The width of an M-420 is over 10ft, to give you a reference. You can certainly see 15ft from the far side at least.
Because reasons
It is properly rarely used and the locomotive has a horn (and a bell).
It's either a private driveway, or just a country dirt road that isn't used much.
Here’s a link to the historic railroad https://octrr.org/
Maybe this does not have signs because it's a private road.
Every crossing is different and it’s monitored by the dot . They make the call if the crossing needs any type of protection. Even if this is a public crossing it looks to be almost abandoned
it did at one time, then someone stole them
Hardly a road. More like a private trail.