Keadby Canal LC

[scarpa]

(Split from Paignton South LC) - SJ. Mod

No intention of bashing the Heritage. I can well remember the full crossing. Not knowing the date of the barrier installation and when the road became one way as to whether a set of wig-wags were ever provided on the eastern side as dvr describes it.

There appears to be many non -standard issues with barrier crossings in the U. K. An unusual installation of a Manned barrier crossing at Keadby canal swing bridge there are no Wig-Wags provided on a double track mainline. The road serves three houses and the signalbox. With fishermen using the road. But you never Know what vehicles may want to access the crossing. What is more disturbing if there is Fog the signalman cannot see the crossing to operate it. I believe there is a telephone provided. Network Rail should review this crossing urgently. God forbid if there was a serious incident Carne the boss would have to resign.

[Fast Line Floyd]

(Split from Paignton South LC) - SJ. Mod

No intention of bashing the Heritage. I can well remember the full crossing. Not knowing the date of the barrier installation and when the road became one way as to whether a set of wig-wags were ever provided on the eastern side as dvr describes it.

There appears to be many non -standard issues with barrier crossings in the U. K. An unusual installation of a Manned barrier crossing at Keadby canal swing bridge there are no Wig-Wags provided on a double track mainline. The road serves three houses and the signalbox. With fishermen using the road. But you never Know what vehicles may want to access the crossing. What is more disturbing if there is Fog the signalman cannot see the crossing to operate it. I believe there is a telephone provided. Network Rail should review this crossing urgently. God forbid if there was a serious incident Carne the boss would have to resign.

I would think that rather depends on the status of the road and the crossing and how the crossing is worked. I can think of a number of ways this could be worked without wig wags and without the signalman having a direct view of the crossing at all times, look for instance at Ashwell Gate House Crossing on the line between Oakham and Leicester.

Graham

[scarpa]

This crossing was operated like this 10 years ago, and hopefully it might have had some updates in equipment. The Boom lights are the improved LED unit. 4 lamps should always be alight, unlike lamp bulbs which failed a lot due to vibration on the booms. With Wig-Wags there is lamp proving provided which reflects on other circuits which may prevent signals clearing. So if there are no wig-wags certain protection may not be in place.

I would have thought it would be a basic requirement for a signalman to view a crossing,or someone on the ground relating to he signalman. How easy would it be in foggy weather for a vehicle to stall on a crossing and the driver unable to get through the level crossing booms to raise the alarm. This could apply to a vehicle inadvertently trapped unintentionally by the signalman. CCTV is not expensive and there are other crossings across the U.K. where two manned barrier crossings are near to one another, and reliance is placed on the signalman being able to view the furthest crossing with no aid.

[Pete2320]

Keadby Canal level crossing is really a glorified occupation crossing and not exempt from "Rule 99". Viewed as such it is rather better protected than a UWC with telephones where the signalman is instructed to "confine his reply to the minimum time available until a train may approach the crossing" which is what it otherwise would be or indeed one of a number of full barrier equipped crossings where the signalman raised the barriers at the request of the road user and where the barriers auto lowered after a time interval.
As regards the lack of "wig-wags" on a double track line, is this particularly unusual? i have worked several such plus one on a four track line.
Finally, ought this thread really be in the "heritage Railways" section?

Pete

[jc92]

as I understand it, Keadby Crossing is normally lowered, and raised only upon request, after which it is replaced back down. IF that's the case then theres no real need for for Wig Wag's, which warn of the Barriers intention to lower, not that they are currently down.

Appleford LC near Didcot has a similar arrangement. the Crossing Provides access to Appleford Tip only.

[scarpa]

Now we have Appleford L C mentioned unless it has been altered It has full sets of wig-wams.The operation of the wig-wams is normal for the crossing until the barriers are fully lowered and a slight time delay extinguishs all wig-wams completely.This may happen due to the fact one side of the crossing is the B4016 which performs a sharp right hand bend and would perhaps cause road traffic to stop .It would be a good idea to cut the corner off so as not to make the level crossing not directly in the path of the B4016.Although barriers are fitted with reliable L.E.D red light units perhaps crossings where Wig-wams are not provided be fitted with a larger barrier boom lamp unit.The Highway code is lacking in describing Level Crossing operation of an unfamiliar operation.So there would be cases if an accident takes place, in a court of law the motorist would have the upper hand.

[LlaniGraham]

Now we have Appleford L C mentioned unless it has been altered It has full sets of wig-wams.The operation of the wig-wams is normal for the crossing until the barriers are fully lowered and a slight time delay extinguishs all wig-wams completely.This may happen due to the fact one side of the crossing is the B4016 which performs a sharp right hand bend and would perhaps cause road traffic to stop .It would be a good idea to cut the corner off so as not to make the level crossing not directly in the path of the B4016.Although barriers are fitted with reliable L.E.D red light units perhaps crossings where Wig-wams are not provided be fitted with a larger barrier boom lamp unit.The Highway code is lacking in describing Level Crossing operation of an unfamiliar operation.So there would be cases if an accident takes place, in a court of law the motorist would have the upper hand.

Why would they?
If the crossing is equipped with wig-wags and flashing red lights then the Law is quite expicit; if they flash you STOP. It doesn't matter what the lights are or how they are arranged.

EDIT
Looking at Google Streetview the light units at Appleford LC look perfectly standard!

[Danny252]

But going by what scarpa said, the Wig Wags cease flashing after the barriers have been down for a certain amount of time. Assuming I've got the right crossing in mind and the situation hasn't changed, Appleford LC is left closed to road traffic by default - the signs visible on Street View, instructing road users to plunge to request the barriers are raised, supports this.

[Fast Line Floyd]

A wig-wag as LlaniGraham has pointed out also is the term used to describe the road traffic lights at level crossings which is a reference to the Crossing warning fitted at early automatic crossings in the USA which consisted of a swinging arm with a red light see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wigwag_(railroad) for further information.

[Mechy]

There is a similar set up at Bradfield on the Manningtree-Harwich Line. However here the barriers have to manually pumped up by the user.

Street View Link