CROSSING MALFUNCTION! GO Trains on the Barrie line [MARCH 22, 2012]

READ HERE FIRST:

I stumbled across this crossing south of Lefroy, Ontario at mile 50.99 on the CN Newmarket Sub, where I decided to film a GO train (801) because it had 2 of the few remaining F59PH engines left in GO's fleet on either end of the train. I noticed that this crossing activated a little early, but deactivated VERY late.

After the train passed, a motorist asked me if the crossing was working or not. I was still recording so I didn't want them talking, so I just brushed them off. NEVER go around crossing gates when they are lowered. Because there were people going around the gates, I called CN's malfunction line, and reported this crossing. A signal maintainer arrived within 30 or so minutes. He looked at the crossing and came over and talked to me...

"Thanks for calling this in, there is definitely higher than normal voltage shunting the tracks, which isnt a major problem for activating the crossing, BUT it is bad because it doesnt deactivate for 2-5 minutes after the train passes. This could encourage cars to go around the gates thinking the area is clear, and with GO trains coming through here at 70MPH, it is a very dangerous situation! So I appreciate it"

He decided to stick around for the next train, to make sure his changes to the crossing voltage levels took effect. And as you can see, it just reset itself. The foreman tried to fix it again and it didnt work once again!! So, he deemed the crossing was safe enough that the RTC could lift the TBO (103G) for the last 2 trains of the night, but recommended that it be re-issued in the morning for the first 3 of the Southbound trains to ensure the crossing would be in working order for safety.

In the end, I knew when I called CN that it wasnt a big issue of the crossing actually activating, I was more worried that maybe if a GO train is very late, and 2 of them are travelling within the same block (which has happened before) that motorists may go around the gates thinking the way is clear, when meanwhile it isnt! Or maybe that the crossing will actually NOT activate when the train comes.. that was my concern. So I dont think I was wasting CN's time, and neither does the young foreman who was on contract with CN.