by Robert Gift
The RXR Xing signals here in Yantai, China have a blue light in the middle below the two flashing red lights!
The blue illuminates until the signal operates. Then, it goes out.
(o)=(o)
....(o)
After the train has passed and the signals stop, the blue light comes on.
Since there are no advance warning signs, like our yellow round (RXR) signs, the blue lights indicate there is a railroad crossing ahead.
(Very noticeable at night!) The LED blue lights are a very rich pure blue.
Two crossings here have rope fences suspended horizontally above the road. They lower and completely block the road. I think they are NOT
automatic; I could not see any insulation in rail joints next to the road.
There were cars stored almost right up to the roadway.
Another crossing was operated by a watchman with a portable radio.
He switched on the signals, then switched on motor carts on tworail tracks which pull metal fences which telescope across the roadway.
I'll try to learn how to attach photos I took.
In Mexico City, near a pyramid looking bank building which houses a 47 bell carillon, ( I believe the building is closed after the Mexico City earthquake) is a watchman-controlled crossing.
But rather than the red lights blinking alternately left and right, both lights
on the same signal flash together. The signals flash alternately!
(Both red lights on one signal on, then both lights of the other on and the
first off.) (o)=(o)..................................................(o)=(o)
As soon as the engine crossed the roadway, the watchman turned off the signals, presumably to save electricity. Or maybe he didn't want to get up and walk back to the switch and turn it off.
The metal conductors of the wires to his switch were exposed and hanging on the outside of his little shanty. Totally slipshod.
Of course, as the engine entered the roadway, a green Volkwagen bug
taxi sped righthrough the crossing making the locomotivengineer angry.
The blue illuminates until the signal operates. Then, it goes out.
(o)=(o)
....(o)
After the train has passed and the signals stop, the blue light comes on.
Since there are no advance warning signs, like our yellow round (RXR) signs, the blue lights indicate there is a railroad crossing ahead.
(Very noticeable at night!) The LED blue lights are a very rich pure blue.
Two crossings here have rope fences suspended horizontally above the road. They lower and completely block the road. I think they are NOT
automatic; I could not see any insulation in rail joints next to the road.
There were cars stored almost right up to the roadway.
Another crossing was operated by a watchman with a portable radio.
He switched on the signals, then switched on motor carts on tworail tracks which pull metal fences which telescope across the roadway.
I'll try to learn how to attach photos I took.
In Mexico City, near a pyramid looking bank building which houses a 47 bell carillon, ( I believe the building is closed after the Mexico City earthquake) is a watchman-controlled crossing.
But rather than the red lights blinking alternately left and right, both lights
on the same signal flash together. The signals flash alternately!
(Both red lights on one signal on, then both lights of the other on and the
first off.) (o)=(o)..................................................(o)=(o)
As soon as the engine crossed the roadway, the watchman turned off the signals, presumably to save electricity. Or maybe he didn't want to get up and walk back to the switch and turn it off.
The metal conductors of the wires to his switch were exposed and hanging on the outside of his little shanty. Totally slipshod.
Of course, as the engine entered the roadway, a green Volkwagen bug
taxi sped righthrough the crossing making the locomotivengineer angry.
