I was railfanning yesterday and I noticed a industry branch line spur crossbuck that used exempt on the track plate(you know 2 tracks, 3 tracks sign). What does this mean????? This could make an interesting modeling idea on a small layout that I'm building if it is what I think it means... Thanks
There was such a sign on a track in a nearby town a few years ago and the only explanation I could come up with was that the track was no longer used (wasn't even connected to the mainline) and, therefore, high way traffic didn't have to pay attention to the tracks. There's a similar one in a neighboring state and a lot of the track on either side of the crossing has been removed.
To the best of my memory, it means that vehicles that would normall have to stop at railroad crossings (busses and trucks) are exempt from doing so at crossings marked as such. This is because the lines are officially abanodoned or out of service or something... I remember seeing some track in Maine like that years ago.
In Ohio, you see White crossbucks with a rectangular stop sign beneath the crossbuck. I think this is especially for roads that are designated as rural roads. Actually I rode on the Hocking Valley sceninc Railroad a couple of years ago at a Boy Scout Camporee, and noticed those signs, but the train was moving to quickly to get a clear picture (as evidenced 2 months later after that roll was shot-up and sent in). Any way, yeah, I think Dick got it right on that one.
That track couldn't be out of service, there was a box car with the rust worn off the wheels and also a centerbeam flatcar. I agree with the vehicles not having to stop idea.
Quite correct! EXEMPT does mean vehicles that would ordinarily stop dont have to,however it dose not mean the line is abandoned.Rarely used crossings would be flagged.
the track conditions would also lead you to an accurate conclusion. Ballast color, and depth, tie color and condition, Rail head width height and head-rust, wear grooves. A light, or abandon line is likely to have lots of undergrowth, the ties will be light grey, rotted, and split. The Ballast will be rusty from the rails, and shallow in places. And the rail head: A rail (if examined closely) can tell a story better than anyone could write. Thick, light colored rust on the head, means no recent activity (as in MONTHS). Light rust means within a few weeks. Dark, pitted rust means YEARS of inactivity. The head width: I've seen some abandoned lines with a rail head of only an inch! A very narrow head indicates likely the outer rail in a fairly tight curve in the past, or as present. (and usually second hand) A wide, flat rail head, means heavy traffic (escpecially in a straight sction on track) over many years (again probably second hand rail). Also the maufacturer's stamp and date. Here I woudl go alng the main line and see rail like this: CARNEGIE 1961, or KENTUCKY 1974, or some thign to that effect. Old, second hand rail woudl like ly be pre-1940's I saw 1936 on one rail about a mile from here in a siding. There are also different weights of rail(maybe per yard?) 40, 60 and 100 pound. custom made rail-plates joining a 60 pound rail to a 100 pound rail Mainlines are generally required to have 100 pound rail or heavier. Ballast: An abandoned line. Look at a perspectice view at the rails. Old lightly used rail will generally have a LOT of dips bows and bends in the rails (accompanied by rail-plates). Lots of little things to look for to find evidence of lightly used rail. Keep in mind, usually railroad don't "throw away" old rail sections. They make a siding out of them!
the "Exempt" signs are for vehicules that would normally have to stop at the crossing that they are exempted from doing so. This is because the rail is either abandonned, or that service is very rare. If a train had to cross it, a railroad worker would be sent to warn cars and trucks from the coming train. Hope this helps
