Unusual RR crossing

J Douglas Moore · 10-03-2012, 03:02 AM

Someone asked me today if I knew of a RR crossing in Canada that was on the Trans Can Hiway..... Anyone know of this??

trainmaster_1 · 10-03-2012, 04:19 AM

There is one in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The Trans-Canada highway crosses it at grade and CN L51921 is probably (I think) the only roadswitcher that goes about switching customers along the Saint-Hyacinthe Spur.

Video of CN L519 crossing the Trans-Canada Hwy on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNfc35vN6Vk

J Douglas Moore · 10-03-2012, 04:45 AM

TY Michael

ACR_Ted · 10-03-2012, 05:20 AM

The Trans-Can (Hwy 17 in Ontario) crosses the Huron Central at grade in Sault Ste Marie. This is the old Canadian Pacific branch from Sudbury.

Ted

JimThias · 10-03-2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trainmaster_1

There is one in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The Trans-Canada highway crosses it at grade and CN L51921 is probably (I think) the only roadswitcher that goes about switching customers along the Saint-Hyacinthe Spur.

Video of CN L519 crossing the Trans-Canada Hwy on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNfc35vN6Vk

I guess buses aren't required to stop at RR crossings in Canada.

magicman_841 · 10-03-2012, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

I guess buses aren't required to stop at RR crossings in Canada.

This particular crossing has "EXEMPT" signs that tell truck and bus drivers that they don't need to do their mandatory stop at the crossing.

You can see it in this shot (white sign with crossing on it):

CN 519 @ Saint-Hyacinthe by Mathieu Tremblay, on Flickr

The line extends about one mile north (photo left) of the crossing, and there are many clients to serve. There have been numerous accidents at this crossing over the years. I've heard a few stories from local railroaders of truck drivers intentionally ditching their rigs during the winter to avoid a collision with the train.

About 1/4 mile south of the TransCan crossing is the Laframboise blvd. crossing, where the track slices right through a major intersection. Here, there are no flashers, and the traffic lights protect train movements.

CN 519 @ Saint-Hyacinthe by Mathieu Tremblay, on Flickr

jac_murphy · 10-03-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACR_Ted

The Trans-Can (Hwy 17 in Ontario) crosses the Huron Central at grade in Sault Ste Marie. This is the old Canadian Pacific branch from Sudbury.

Ted

Twice, actually (at Black Road and at the intersection with the 17B) but, of course, it isn't a divided highway at either of those points.

-Jacques

JimThias · 10-04-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicman_841

This particular crossing has "EXEMPT" signs that tell truck and bus drivers that they don't need to do their mandatory stop at the crossing.

You can see it in this shot (white sign with crossing on it):

Well, I wanted to assume that as I've seen those signs at crossings here in Michigan, but they are usually posted on abandoned lines or ones that are rarely to never used. How often is that track used in the video?

ACR_Ted · 10-04-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jac_murphy

Twice, actually (at Black Road and at the intersection with the 17B) but, of course, it isn't a divided highway at either of those points.

-Jacques

True...I wasn't thinking of the 17B crossing on Pim Street!

Ted

magicman_841 · 10-04-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

Well, I wanted to assume that as I've seen those signs at crossings here in Michigan, but they are usually posted on abandoned lines or ones that are rarely to never used.

There would be a perpetual traffic jam if all buses and trucks had to stop there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

How often is that track used in the video?

Twice a day (once each way), Monday thru Friday.

The line is an industrial spur off the CN Saint-Hyacinthe subdivision.

There is also a note in the CN timetable that says that they can't operate over the crossing at certain times of certain months where the drivers would have the sun in their eyes.

jac_murphy · 10-05-2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACR_Ted

True...I wasn't thinking of the 17B crossing on Pim Street!

I meant where the four-lane 17 intersects Trunk Road and the 17B on the far west side of town, sorry for the confusion.

-Jacques

JimThias · 10-05-2012, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicman_841

There would be a perpetual traffic jam if all buses and trucks had to stop there!

Twice a day (once each way), Monday thru Friday.

The line is an industrial spur off the CN Saint-Hyacinthe subdivision.

Incredible. I'm amazed there aren't more accidents there. Buses not stopping at a crossing that is used that often wouldn't fly around these parts, even on the busy roads.

magicman_841 · 10-05-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimThias

Incredible. I'm amazed there aren't more accidents there. Buses not stopping at a crossing that is used that often wouldn't fly around these parts, even on the busy roads.

It is indeed very dangerous. They will probably separate the grades when they rebuild the overpass from which photos and videos of the crossing are taken.

FWIW, the train has to stop and wait before engaging through the crossing, but from what I've heard from local trainmen, motorists don't really stop until they start moving...