RICCARTON RAIL CROSSING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27340, 4 May 1954, Page 12

RICCARTON RAIL CROSSING

OPERATION OF SIGNAL EXPLAINED BARRIER PROPOSAL BEING EXAMINED “We are not going to sleep on this,” said the Deputy-Mayor' (Cr. E. J. Bradshaw) when the Riccarton Borough Couricil last evening received two official letters on the Riccarton railway crossing. “What we want is the best protection that can be provided mechanically at the crossing.” The Minister of Railways (Mr W. S. Goosman) wrote saying that he noted the council’s comments when requesting the provision of automatic half-arm carriers and was having the matter examined. He would write to the council again when the necessary investigations were completed. Discussing non-operation of the alarm when a train was closely approaching it on March 29,. the District Railways Engineer (Mr W. J. E. V. Grace) wrote saying that there were railway signals placed on each side of the roadway at which, if at “danger” for an approaching train, such train must stop. To prevent unnecessary delay to road traffic, the alarms were wired so that they would operate only when a train approached the railway signal showing “proceed.” It would be realised that the train might be held with the signal at “danger” for an appreciable time. The signal was at “danger” for the train in question, and when it was placed at “proceed” the alarms operated and the train then went over the* crossing.

“Regarding your query as to whether an engine-driver must stop if the alarms are not working: the flashing units are fitted with sidelights showing in the direction of the driver. These are low-range lights, and it is very doubtful whether, with a train travelling at speed in bright sunlight, the driver would be able to stop. The side-lights .are provided so that the driver can report any nonoperation to the maintainer. “Failure of alarms to operate is very rare, the usual failure being continuous operation,” Mr Grace said. “It is necessary, however, for motorists to negotiate all railway crossings with caution.” Cr. Bradshaw said there was some satisfaction from the Minister’s letter in that it was not a “No”; but people got a shock when at 5.15 on a busy afternoon they found the lights were not operating when the train was just about on the crossing. Cr. G. A. Franks said the engineer’s letter showed that a weakness could operate in the electrical system. The council should press for the installation of a half-arm barrier.

“It is still operated electrically,” commented Cr. V. G. Spiller.