Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-30
Hearing of Railroad Commissioners.

In the matter of the petition OF w. II
Nichols and 1876 other citizens of Randolph
and vicinity, against the Central Vernon
Railroad Company, praying that fiagmer
be kept at the Main st. and South Pleas
ant ST. grade crossings in West Randolph
village.
A hearing upon said petition was APP
pointed and held at West Randolph, Man
! 18th, 1892. There were present the full
Board OF Railroad Commissioners, AFRO L.
Adams, who formally represented the pc
titioners, although several others of them
were in attendance and testified at the
\ hearing, and James Nj. Foss, Assistant to
/ the President. Chester w. Writers, Nelson
l.. Boyden and Joseph d. Denison, attor-
neys, representing the Central Vermont
Railroad Company.
Testimony was taken at length and the
SAID grade crossings were examined by the
Board.
These crossings are so situated that it is
found impracticable SO to change them as
to obyiate grade crossing at either OF them
Both are considered in some respects
dangerous, but not so extremely blind and
unsafe as several others on this railroad
are believed to be.
The Easterly one is found to be subject
to more obstructed view, as approached
from the South, than tho Main st. crossing
although crossing OF much less travel
These crossings are about q rods apart,
and at the Easterly one there are two side
tracks with the main line between them,
while at the Main st. crossing the main
track is on the North side of the roadbed
and two side tracks lie South of it.
AT the Main st. crossing the road is
planked 81 feet wide over all the tracks,
and the view is clear and without perma-
nent obstruction for a sufficient distance
n dirGa ion
traveller approaching 1t from either direct
tion upon the highway, so as to afford am
pie opportunity, and there is also ample
space, to turn team away from an APP
preaching train after the same can be dis
covered by ordinary outlook and care, and
with reasonable prudence and caution the
traveller will find no unusual difficulty in
discovering danger here and the opportu-
nifty to avoid it by the use of his senses,
unless his view may be obstructed by cars
left standing on the crossing.
There was considerable testimony given
tending to show that cars have sometimes
been left standing so near the crossing as
TO obstruct the view necessary for safety. /
Also, 1t appears in evidence, and the
Board finds, that cars are left standing up
on the siding by the Easterly crossing in 4
such manner as to obstruct the view of I
approaching trains and to enhance the 4
ianger to the public travel thereat.
All OF this the Board believes can be in /
| large degree, and the danger OF accident /
II each of these crossings thereby largely \
There is also tool house standing on
he North side OF the track, East Of the
sasterly crossing, which obstructs the
Jew OF trains approaching from the South.
This should be removed to some point so
hat II will not obstruct the view down
he track.
The Board, therefore, recommends to the
'entral Vermont Railroad Company, that
uch measures be taken by it in the opera
ion and management Of its railroad at
hese crossings, as shall prevent any car
70 m standing on either OF the sidings in
he railroad yard at Randolph station at
ny point within twenty feet of the plank
ng on the Easterly side, or twelve feet OF
he planking on the Westerly side of the
rossing on Main St., or within seventy
We feet of the planking either on the East
rly or Westerly side OF the East crossing
foresaid
And the Board further recommends that
hid tool house be removed to such point
own the track from where it now stands,
r elsewhere, as shall relieve the obstruc-
ion of the view from the Easterly of said
rossings and its approaches.
And the Board also recommends that no I
assenger train shall be allowed to pass
aid crossings at a rate of speed exceeding |
IN miles per hour and no freight train at :
rate of speed exceeding six miles per {
our. BY the Board,
ALFRED E. WATSON, Clerk. 4