Old Style Level Crossing Questions

[Belperpete]

If anything, higher traffic would be a better justification for automation, as the safety benefits are multiplied across more traffic. The risk to the keeper would also be much bigger. I think Wikipedia may be repeating a local legend about the bridge, IMHO, which it has at various other station articles.

I know of a level crossing scheme for a minor public road to put in an automatic level crossing, where everything was installed, ready to go. Then a local submitted photographic evidence that blocking back had occurred in the past, even though only very rarely. So just a week or two before the commissioning day, the ministry changed the level crossing order to require an attendant on site! The whole business case collapsed, and the automatic crossing was never commissioned, and the equipment was stripped back out. I understand it was later converted to a CCTV monitored crossing.

So even if the risk of blocking back is only likely on very rare occasions, such as when the bridge at Llanrwst floods, it is still a risk that has to be taken into account in the choice of crossing.

 

[Gloster]

There doesn't appear to be any weight restriction. I suspect that it might be down to it seeing very heavy traffic, e.g. when the bridge at Llanrwst is closed by flooding? Leading to a risk of blocking back from the A470 junction which is reasonably close, or if traffic is waiting for a wide load to cross the bridge?

There are a couple of gated accommodation crossings on the Cambrian that are now manned, due to the volume of pedestrian traffic. All the chap seems to do is stand in the doorway of his portacabin and watch the trains go past, usually with cup of tea in hand.

The only one I know of if Dyffryn Ardudwy, but I thought that the crossing-keeper there was introduced because of the excessive amount of abuse by the users. There may be others as my information is probably not up to date.

 

[Krokodil]

Sounds like the ideal job for a lazy retired railwayman like me! I wonder whether there are any similar vacancies elsewhere?

Traditionally Tal-y-Cafn was where staff on light duties (due to medical reasons) were sent.

 

[DelW]

No, the most basic crossings are those seen on the Pembroke Dock and Looe branches. Train stops, blows horn, continues across at slow speed. Not so much as a light, let alone a gate or barrier.

At least one on the HoWL, too, south of Llanwrtyd. Train stops, then I think max 5mph over the crossing.

Google Streetview image:

 

[Belperpete]

No, the most basic crossings are those seen on the Pembroke Dock and Looe branches. Train stops, blows horn, continues across at slow speed. Not so much as a light, let alone a gate or barrier.

There used to be a similar crossing on the Welsh Highland. The trouble was, when the train stopped, the cars would promptly drive across in front of it! The crossing order was changed to remove the requirement to stop, trains proceed across at low speed (5 mph I think, maybe 10).