level crossings

[Tomnick]

So if I could just clarify something about the Bentley and Arksey crossings I mentioned earlier. If the barriers lower and something is stuck on the crossing would it therefore be possible for the crossing operator in the psb to give a danger to the oncoming train thus averting disaster? Would this be possible even for high speed trains going at line speed?

The protecting signals are kept at danger until the barriers are down and the crossing confirmed clear - which is exactly why they need to be lowered so early, to avoid the approaching train being slowed down by cautionary aspects leading up to the protecting signal that'd otherwise still be at danger.

 

[MarkyT]

So if I could just clarify something about the Bentley and Arksey crossings I mentioned earlier. If the barriers lower and something is stuck on the crossing would it therefore be possible for the crossing operator in the psb to give a danger to the oncoming train thus averting disaster? Would this be possible even for high speed trains going at line speed?

I assume these are mcb cctv as would have to be the case if the linespeed is more than 100MPH (ahb banned above that speed).

Crossing clear acknowledgment is given by the signaller or local attendant pressing a button after the warning light and barrier lowering sequence has been carried out successfully. The protecting signal clears only after crossing clear has been confirmed. There is the slight possibility a runaway road vehicle could crash through the full barriers after that, but the barrier continuity strip can be proved in the protecting signal, changing it to red if broken, and the signaller can always replace any of the signals to red at any time if they become aware of impending disaster by other means.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Network Rail's policy intention of removing or reducing level crossings isn't universally popular.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ssing-closures-network-rail-plans-wrong-track

Replacing even footpath crossings by bridges isn't always feasible because of disabled access regulations.

The article makes the valid point that Network Rail and the Train Operators have not had a fatal accident for several years, but that it remains relatively dangerous to cross the railway line even when not travelling.

 

[stevefromdonny]

What does mcb mean in the context of level crossings?

I'm assuming ahb is automatic half barrier meaning one half comes down then the other half comes down leaving nowhere for cars to zig zag?

 

[Tomnick]

MCB is Manually Controlled (full) Barriers. AHB is, as you say, Automatic Half Barriers - but, rather than as you describe, they only block the entrance side of the crossing, with no barrier at all on the exit side - which does give the opportunity for motorists to zig-zag around them, but more importantly gives an escape route for anyone trapped on the crossing - important because they're operated automatically by an approaching train, with no check that the crossing's clear, and no time to do much about it.

 

[edwin_m]

Usually on an MCB the barriers on the entrance side come down first and the exit ones shortly afterwards.

 

[DJ_K666]

Yapton crossing on the West Coastway between Brighton and Portsmouth.

This is an AHB (Automatic Half Barrier) type.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.830891,-0.608482,3a,75y,140.11h,76.75t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGsWPqD21_hQUUE_eLbESyA!2e0?hl=en
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Portslade crossing. Quite a bit older style barriers then the ones further along at Shoreham. Also on the West Coastway (Anyone detecting a theme here?) this is controlled from Lancing box a few miles west of here. The side road beyond causes all sorts of problems due to drivers pulling out on you without looking when you have enough space to get past the box junction. I have treated a fair few to a blast from a bus air horn in my time. And had a fair few people flip the bird in return. Crossings really are the ultimate box junction.

And for a bonus point, can anyone tell me what is so unusual about the road the line crosses here?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.835506,-0.205938,3a,75y,18.35h,79.32t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1swcCikfReQZCSxeFLoc9ZhA!2e0?hl=en

 

[fairysdad]

And for a bonus point, can anyone tell me what is so unusual about the road the line crosses here?

Judging by its name, I'd guess that it's the boundary between two authorities.

Having said that, Boundary Road in the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation doesn't actually form the boundary, although it used to.

 

[DJ_K666]

Judging by its name, I'd guess that it's the boundary between two authorities.

Having said that, Boundary Road in the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation doesn't actually form the boundary, although it used to.

Half way there. It has a different name for each side of the road. One side (The east) is Boundary Road and the other (West) is Station Road south of the crossing and Carlton Terrace north of it. this arrangement makes perfect sense if you live local, but confuses the hell out of visitors.

 

[Yabbadabba]

Half way there. It has a different name for each side of the road. One side (The east) is Boundary Road and the other (West) is Station Road south of the crossing and Carlton Terrace north of it. this arrangement makes perfect sense if you live local, but confuses the hell out of visitors.

At Hampden Park Mountfield Road level crossing it is exactly the same, Mountfield Road on the east side and Brassey Avenue on the west side.

 

[DJ_K666]

At Hampden Park Mountfield Road level crossing it is exactly the same, Mountfield Road on the east side and Brassey Avenue on the west side.

I didn't realise that. Perhaps its not as uncommon as I thought.

I've only been through there very rarely, mainly on rail replacement duties.