1 EAGLETON NOTES: Trains Have Priority

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Sunday 27 September 2009

Trains Have Priority

CJ just asked me what level crossings or train crossings were called in the USA. Trains in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are treated rather differently to trains in the UK and much of the mainland Europe that I have visited (as far as I can recall anyway). In the UK trains are generally fenced off from public access even across many many miles of Scottish moorland. The concept of a train sharing a public road bridge with cars and lorries without even a set of lights of a barrier is incomprehensible in the UK. However in South Island, New Zealand I recalled travelling across a bridge which also carried trains and there was nothing more than a 'Give Way' sign to indicate to motorists that oncoming vehicles, and presumably, trains have priority!


The approach indicates a railroad crossing (should it not be 'sharing') and that cars should give way.

 
I can see the cars that are coming.

 
Now what happens if a train appears?

6 comments:

  1. Is that the bridge not far from Blenheim - or are there two of them?
    Weird, huh?

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  2. Dear GB

    I fear that is has or is soon to be modernised. BIG Sigh - am sure it was one of these that my dear Dad was challenged with in the 1950s as the rail width gauge and his Austin's "between the tyres" width gauge were very close, maybe too close.

    Will have to check up with Dear Dad soon, on your behalf.

    Care and huggles, Michelle

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  3. I thought that this was on the west coast between Greymouth and Hokitika but, to be honest, I can't be sure. I know that I've been over it on two separate visits to the South Island. Is there antone out there who can confirm the location? Perhaps when I get back to Eagleton I can track the photographic trail.

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  4. 'antone' ?? Should, of course, be 'anyone'. But you knew that didn't you?

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  5. I would NOT want to be there when a train appears.
    ;^-

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  6. Give way indeed. I don't have too many phobias but stopping on train tracks in a car (which can happen quite often in the US) is one of them. I don't think I could ever cross that bridge!

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