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[Lizzie_Zoom]

I am amazed at this story of a women passenger in a car who was killed when hit by a train due to a signalman raising the road barriers in error!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12604299

There was a day, and I know it still exists at crossing sites with manual barriers and ground frames, that it was impossible to open the gates when the interlocking signals were off for an approaching train.  A key was used, and still is at the aforementioned manual gates, to inhibit an 'accidental' opening.

Apparently, according to this report, there was no such interlocking at this crossing site.  Why not??!! :-? :-? :-?

Next time, before you cross railway tracks 'protected' by a barrier, look right and left and if no trains coming cross!

I would be very interested in any comments or observations on this of railwaymen, and especially signalmen, on here.

[Lazydocker]

In my neck of the woods we have lots of open (no barriers) and unmanned manual crossings (with wooden gates)... I cross one of the former every time I go anywhere from home. I always have a quick look up the line as I'm approaching as it's single track and I'd see one from the other direction as it sits in the station

[Mysteryman]

I am amazed at this story of a women passenger in a car who was killed when hit by a train due to a signalman raising the road barriers in error!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12604299

There was a day, and I know it still exists at crossing sites with manual barriers and ground frames, that it was impossible to open the gates when the interlocking signals were off for an approaching train.  A key was used, and still is at the aforementioned manual gates, to inhibit an 'accidental' opening.

Apparently, according to this report, there was no such interlocking at this crossing site.  Why not??!! :-? :-? :-?

Next time, before you cross railway tracks 'protected' by a barrier, look right and left and if no trains coming cross!

I would be very interested in any comments or observations on this of railwaymen, and especially signalmen, on here.

It's not rocket science. It's the same contraption that stops you opening your washing machine door.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I am amazed at this story of a women passenger in a car who was killed when hit by a train due to a signalman raising the road barriers in error!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12604299

There was a day, and I know it still exists at crossing sites with manual barriers and ground frames, that it was impossible to open the gates when the interlocking signals were off for an approaching train.  A key was used, and still is at the aforementioned manual gates, to inhibit an 'accidental' opening.

Apparently, according to this report, there was no such interlocking at this crossing site.  Why not??!! :-? :-? :-?

Next time, before you cross railway tracks 'protected' by a barrier, look right and left and if no trains coming cross!

I would be very interested in any comments or observations on this of railwaymen, and especially signalmen, on here.

It's not rocket science. It's the same contraption that stops you opening your washing machine door.

Exactly Steve   And this is meant to be the 21st century, not the early days of 19th century railways!

We apparently used to have full interlocking on the signaling system, so what has changed?  I am baffled!

[Kevin Wood]

I remember an American friend doing her nut when I calmly drove straight over a level crossing with the (automatic) gates up.

Appears there's no guarantee that a train isn't coming in the US. Maybe it's that way here as well, now?

It really isn't rocket science to prevent this sort of accident.

Kevin

[PhilRich]

Here, there's a road leading off the harbour marina with a crossing at the end of it that lots of traffic use as a 'rat run' & directly over the crossing the road terminates in a give way sign at the entry to the main road. The number of times i've seen a stream of traffic stalled nose to tail over that crossing waiting for a break in traffic on the main road defies all common sense & logic! It is only a matter of time 

[Marks DTM Calib]

The formal report is here:

http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2011/report042011.cfm

Clearly there was interlocking from the signals as what happened was the signaler set the signal to danger and then cleared the crossing (he cant clear the crossing with the signal set clear).....but the danger signal was to late for the train to stop (the driver had applied full service, not sure why it was not emergency), and the two cars raced across as soon as the barrier lifted......hence two cars involved on a very quiet road.

Note also that the Toerag driver set off before the barriers were fully raised (although note also that the lights would have been extinguished by then but it estimates at 4 seconds before fully raised on a barrier that takes 7 seconds in total to go up so possibly around the 45deg position).

Still, the usual shite reporting from the BBC 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

The formal report is here:

http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2011/report042011.cfm

Clearly there was interlocking from the signals as what happened was the signaler set the signal to danger and then cleared the crossing (he cant clear the crossing with the signal set clear).....but the danger signal was to late for the train to stop (the driver had applied full service, not sure why it was not emergency), and the two cars raced across as soon as the barrier lifted......hence two cars involved on a very quiet road.

Note also that the Toerag driver set off before the barriers were fully raised (although note also that the lights would have been extinguished by then but it estimates at 4 seconds before fully raised on a barrier that takes 7 seconds in total to go up so possibly around the 45deg position).

Still, the usual shite reporting from the BBC 

Thanks Mark!

That does rather clarify a few things that baffled me and which did not seem right with what I know of railway procedures! 8-) 8-) 8-)

[Terbs]

I only use two crossings with automatic barriers, Poole High Street (pedestrian) and Wool (road). I have to admit to being paranoid about them, and I cannot stop myself looking both ways before I cross and  getting across in double quick time. I hate 'em

[e4cat]

I am amazed at this story of a women passenger in a car who was killed when hit by a train due to a signalman raising the road barriers in error!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12604299

There was a day, and I know it still exists at crossing sites with manual barriers and ground frames, that it was impossible to open the gates when the interlocking signals were off for an approaching train.  A key was used, and still is at the aforementioned manual gates, to inhibit an 'accidental' opening.

Apparently, according to this report, there was no such interlocking at this crossing site.  Why not??!! :-? :-? :-?

Next time, before you cross railway tracks 'protected' by a barrier, look right and left and if no trains coming cross!

I would be very interested in any comments or observations on this of railwaymen, and especially signalmen, on here.

Sorry I am a little late with my comments,1st class signalman
well retired,covered 33 cabins,in my area,so a little authority
on this subject.  observations as follows.
     (1) Signalman at fault.(for sure)he cannot clear his section
          without seeing tail lamp of train,if missing train passing,box ,must wait until receiving all clear from box in advance. all signals, gates,points,locking levers remain in place.
      (2)I personally read of the accidents at these new
          type crossings with horror,with the Old type you
          had a job. to make a mistake, everything was locked
          and counter locked,with pull levers,electric blocks,
          and there are rules and regs,to be obeyed,,
   But since privatisation,?the old school of railwaymen would
   turn over in their graves,at some of the practices I read 
   about.   

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I am amazed at this story of a women passenger in a car who was killed when hit by a train due to a signalman raising the road barriers in error!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12604299

There was a day, and I know it still exists at crossing sites with manual barriers and ground frames, that it was impossible to open the gates when the interlocking signals were off for an approaching train.  A key was used, and still is at the aforementioned manual gates, to inhibit an 'accidental' opening.

Apparently, according to this report, there was no such interlocking at this crossing site.  Why not??!! :-? :-? :-?

Next time, before you cross railway tracks 'protected' by a barrier, look right and left and if no trains coming cross!

I would be very interested in any comments or observations on this of railwaymen, and especially signalmen, on here.

Sorry I am a little late with my comments,1st class signalman
well retired,covered 33 cabins,in my area,so a little authority
on this subject.  observations as follows.
     (1) Signalman at fault.(for sure)he cannot clear his section
          without seeing tail lamp of train,if missing train passing,box ,must wait until receiving all clear from box in advance. all signals, gates,points,locking levers remain in place.
      (2)I personally read of the accidents at these new
          type crossings with horror,with the Old type you
          had a job. to make a mistake, everything was locked
          and counter locked,with pull levers,electric blocks,
          and there are rules and regs,to be obeyed,,
   But since privatisation,?the old school of railwaymen would
   turn over in their graves,at some of the practices I read 
   about.   

Very interesting comments and observations from a real old time railwayman!   Thank you 8-) 8-) 8-)