Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-07
SAFETY AT GRADE CROSSINGS.

In a letter published in the Railway Journal D.
3. Hines, who drove an engine on the Union Pacific
for thirty-hve years, and has for some time been re-
tired on pension, has something to say on the sub
Ject OF grade crossings which we believe will appeal
to every driver of an automobile. Mr.. Hines ex-
plains that since his retirement from active railway
service he has done a good deal of automobile driv-
ing, and his remarks are the, result of his observa-
tons both from the engine cab and from behind the
steering wheel. He says:
"The cause of many accidents at grade cross
ings is the bad condition of approaches to about rs
per cent OF grade crossings. Most railroads have
from a foot to eighteen inches of ballast under the
track, raising the track that much above the level
OF the ground, and the approach to the track is not
often raised to a level with the track, not often only
a few feet back from the track. The dirt soon gets
worn away from the crossing plank and end of the
ties, leaving from two to four inches or more of a
drop Or raise from the top of ties and crossing plank,
SO that an automobile approaching the track has to
come almost to a stop in order that the front wheels
can climb the approach, and then the driver will
sometimes have to change the gear from high to low
to get the rear end of the car on the track. Then
he has to go very slow while he is dropping the car
off the other side. This all takes time and often
kills the engine in getting over the crossings. When
a train is running 40 to 60 miles per hour it only
takes It one minute or a little more to run a mile
Now, take the automobile running at the same speed
that the train is running. but only half the distance
from the crossing that the train is, the automobile
can get to and over the crossing ahead Of the train
II the approach to the crossing is on a level with
the track. 50 that the automobile would not have 70
slow down to almost a stop in order to get I'D on the
track. While the automobile driver is slowing
down to try TO get over the track without an acci,
dent to his car, the engine or train has run a half
mile Or more and will catch the automobile on the
rack. .IfS the highway was raised to a level with
the raAs for a few rods each side Of the track 50 that
the automobile could cross the track at a fair rate
sof speed, 1t would only be two or three seconds
getting over and there would not be so much a anv
danger Of an accident. Its not SO much the care
lcssness Of the automobile driver that causes acct
dents as If is the condition Of the roads and ar
proaches to- the tracks.
Il is also my advice not to have the people sion
look and listen. as have already stated that after
you have stopped looked and listened. II viii take
you from 4 half oone minute bo get5yotr auton,o-
bile started, and that while you are getting started
~ train running 81 4 speed Of 80 70 6O miles per ho,,r
will have come 4 mile When yoa could not ~ ~
shear q train wbei you looked aid listened. ana Il
viii dsteh you ont the CROSSING
lost. # Apka q, ti,atI have I'D sanbe deno1.
stratedgwif ut very fittie trouble and exnense.
There ~ some pisces on mort aif railroads where
u stop eabe az lang 1iTnzl sh6aid 81 81 cold ne
AseANssAnd 4 nm m ~ rkxX 5000 s4o coespeI