From: j.albert@snet.net   
      
   On 2/17/15 4:00 PM, bob wrote:   
   > The difference between the crossing types I have described is not down   
   > to the method used to keep cars off the crossing, but the method used to   
   > keep *trains* off the crossing.  In the crossing involved in this   
   > collision, there is *no* method to stop trains from crossing.  If the   
   > train arrives at the crossing, the first indication they have that   
   > something is not right is when they are so close to the crossing itself,   
   > there is no chance to stop the train.  In the crossing I have described,   
   > the railway signalling system *blocks* trains from the crossing until   
   > *after* the barriers are down *and* the crossing is observed to be clear.   
      
   Not going to happen in the USA outside of a very few locations.   
      
   I remember at least one grade crossing accident on Amtrak in the New   
   London area where I believe an older woman (grandmother) and two   
   grandchildren were killed.   
      
   Of note is that I believe the crossing at which this occurred already   
   had a "occupancy protection" system installed that was supposed to slow   
   the train if a crossing "became occupied" (by a vehicle) ahead of it (by   
   forcing the cab signal down to the "restricting" aspect).   
      
   Well, the unfortunate lady drove onto the crossing only moments before   
   the train arrived, and the protection system was useless.   
      
   So, in this particular case, the "advanced protection" proved to be   
   worthless.   
      
   My take (with 32 years' experience running trains for Conrail,   
   Metro-North, and Amtrak):   
   Accidents happen.   
   They happen regardless of the best efforts of designers and engineers to   
   prevent them from happening.   
   If you don't want any more grade crossing accidents to ever happen again   
   at this particular crossing, build a grade separation.   
      
   Sooner or later, another freak accident is going to happen, no matter   
   what steps may have been taken to "prevent" it.   
   That's life.   
      
   Aside:   
   Sometimes grade separations won't even help. Some years' back, an Amtrak   
   eastbound was coming up through the Bronx on the Hell Gate Line. At that   
   location, the tracks were down in a cut, the street up above. Somebody   
   drove a car right off the street, through the fence, and it landed in   
   front of the train. I think the driver actually survived, came down   
   between the catenary and all!   
      
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