Hear that train a-comin'? Maybe not here

[railtrailbiker]

Tired of the train's midnight moan? Residents in at least two Shore communities may be getting a reprieve -- at least temporarily.

In divided votes this week, the borough councils in Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head introduced ordinances that, if approved by the towns, NJ Transit's legal department and the state Department of Transportation, would prohibit North Jersey Coast Line train horns and whistles from sounding between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

http://www.app.com/app/story/0,21625,941697,00.html

[DutchRailnut]

wait till Taxpayers of those towns get their first lawsuits, part of horn bill is for those towns to assume liability for those crossings not blown for .

[Olton Hall]

I love the part in the article that the town will go after Federal money for new gates. They better get moving if they want to secure the money for 2010.

[Irish Chieftain]

Not to mention that the article says the new federal law due to go into effect on December 18 requires conductors to sound the horn between 15 and 20 seconds before reaching the crossing.

And wasn't there an accident just recently at PPB station? although it didn't involve the grade crossings there.

I personally have a preference for the British-style grade crossing gates—they close off the whole road when a train is approaching and close off the ROW when open for the road.

[transit383]

This is ridiculous. Point Pleasant, during the summer, is filled with people that are unfamiliar with the area and must cross the tracks. Not to mention that the main grade crossing entering the town from Route 35 isn't in placed the nicest location. It just comes up on you all of a sudden. Prohibiting horns here is asking for an accident.

And don't these two towns realize that NJT could very easily suspend service south of the drawbridge? It was proposed way back in the 70s and I'm sure NJT would love nothing more than not to have to maintain that bridge. They could abandon in just like DB and WR. And if NJT does go to suspend service, watch the township cry that their tourism industry is suffering.

[Ken W2KB]

>>>wait till Taxpayers of those towns get their first lawsuits, part of horn bill is for those towns to assume liability for those crossings not blown for<<<

First, it's not a new law. It's a new set of regulations issued by the FRA to find a means to eliminate horns blowing at certain crossings when the FRA makes findings that by installing certain facilities safety will not be compromised. One of the means cited in the regulations is the blocking all lanes in both directions, e.g., 4-quadrant gates. The regulation does not transfer liability from the RR to the municipality. Liability for accidents at grade crossings is a matter of state, not federal law. In New Jersey, municipalities are immune from suit for damages resulting from the municipality's discretionary action, such as deciding to pursue a quiet zone crossing. The municipality can only be sued for damges from ministerial duties such as failure to properly maintain equipment.