Trains and RVing

[Oakman]

Temps dropped into the low 30’s over the weekend so that’s my indication to take the Silverback out one last time and winterize it. I reserved a full hookup campsite at Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson, MO for the task and arrived yesterday.

We have visited this park in the past but have never taken our RV there. OMG, I remembered the campground being next to the Mississippi but totally forgot about the railroad tracks. The tracks aren’t more than 100 feet from the rear of our campsite. Worse yet, I didn’t realize there is a protected grade crossing less than 100 yards from our campsite. Two longs, a short, and a long, oh yeah, train horns can be so soothing…NOT!!



Fortunately, no trains came by after 11:00 PM. And here I thought the trains at Goshen were loud.

Funny thing, we arrived at the campsite and when I checked my phone app to see which direction I should point the TV antenna, it had our location as Mountain Home, Idaho. All of my apps and the phone itself showed me in Idaho. I tried everything including turning the phone completely off and turning on the phone GPS and it still wouldn’t change our location. Finally in the evening, as we sat around our campfire, the smart phone finally had our location as Jackson, MO.



The conspiracy theorist in me is trying to tell me we were in a military satellite test area that was sending a signal that confused cell tower and GPS signals in the area.

[aceinspp]

Cool love trains looks like that would be good to train watch, and Goshen was interesting as all the trains they ran. Curious as you said protected crossing did you mean lights and gates? Later RJD

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Temps dropped into the low 30’s over the weekend so that’s my indication to take the Silverback out one last time and winterize it. I reserved a full hookup campsite at Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson, MO for the task and arrived yesterday.

We have visited this park in the past but have never taken our RV there. OMG, I remembered the campground being next to the Mississippi but totally forgot about the railroad tracks. The tracks aren’t more than 100 feet from the rear of our campsite. Worse yet, I didn’t realize there is a protected grade crossing less than 100 yards from our campsite. Two longs, a short, and a long, oh yeah, train horns can be so soothing…NOT!!

Attachment 92282

Fortunately, no trains came by after 11:00 PM. And here I thought the trains at Goshen were loud.

Funny thing, we arrived at the campsite and when I checked my phone app to see which direction I should point the TV antenna, it had our location as Mountain Home, Idaho. All of my apps and the phone itself showed me in Idaho. I tried everything including turning the phone completely off and turning on the phone GPS and it still wouldn’t change our location. Finally in the evening, as we sat around our campfire, the smart phone finally had our location as Jackson, MO.

Attachment 92283

The conspiracy theorist in me is trying to tell me we were in a military satellite test area that was sending a signal that confused cell tower and GPS signals in the area.

Better get a roll of tin foil out just in case they are actually reprogramming peoples brains with Yodeling music!

[youroo]

I learned one thing at a RR crossing in the UP of Mich! The W on the signs Before a crossing Means Whistle,Not WEST! Youroo!!

[Timex]

[QUOTE=Oakman;

Funny thing, we arrived at the campsite and when I checked my [COLOR=red]phone[/COLOR] app to see which direction I should point the TV antenna, it had our location as Mountain Home, Idaho. All of my apps and the phone itself showed me in Idaho. I tried everything including turning the phone completely off and turning on the phone GPS and it still wouldn’t change our location. Finally in the evening, as we sat around our campfire, the smart phone finally had our location as Jackson, MO.

Ahh, I was wondering if it was a "dumb phone!

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Cool love trains looks like that would be good to train watch, and Goshen was interesting as all the trains they ran. Curious as you said protected crossing did you mean lights and gates? Later RJD

No gates but lights and bells. The crossing itself is currently out of commission since it is being repaired.



The road doesn't get much use anyway since it only leads to a boat ramp for the Mississippi. Currently the Mississippi River is so low the ramp isn't in the water.

[Oakman]

Hmmmm, once again my smart phone and the apps no longer think I'm in MO. Now it has me in Goshen, IN. Very strange, I've never had my phone do this until now.

[OldCoot]

Trains MUST whistle 2 longs a short and a long at EVERY road crossing.

Succession of short sounds The whistle is sounded in an attempt to attract attention to the train. It is used when persons or livestock are on the track at other-than-road crossings at grade.
= When train is stopped. The air brakes are applied and pressure is equalized.
= = Train releases brakes and proceeds.
o o Acknowledgment of any signal not otherwise provided for.
o o o When train is stopped: means backing up, or acknowledgment of a hand signal to back up.
o o o o A request for a signal to be given or repeated if not understood.
= o o o Instruction for flagman to protect rear of train.
= = = = The flagman may return from west or south.
= = = = = The flagman may return from east or north.
= = o = Train is approaching public crossings at grade with engine in front. Signal starts not less than 15 seconds but not more than 20 seconds before reaching the crossing. If movement is 45 mph or greater, signal starts at or about the crossing sign, but not more than 1/4 mile before the crossing if there is no sign. Signal is prolonged or repeated until the engine completely occupies the crossing(s).

In addition, this signal is used when approaching private crossings if pedestrians or motor vehicles are at or near the crossing. (In the states of California, Idaho and Montana, the whistle is sounded at all crossings, public and private.)

o = Inspect the brake system for leaks or sticking brakes.
= o Train is approaching men or equipment on or near the track, regardless of any whistle prohibitions.

After this initial warning, "o o" sounds intermittently until the head end of train has passed the men or equipment.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Trains MUST whistle 2 longs a short and a long at EVERY road crossing.

Succession of short sounds The whistle is sounded in an attempt to attract attention to the train. It is used when persons or livestock are on the track at other-than-road crossings at grade.
= When train is stopped. The air brakes are applied and pressure is equalized.
= = Train releases brakes and proceeds.
o o Acknowledgment of any signal not otherwise provided for.
o o o When train is stopped: means backing up, or acknowledgment of a hand signal to back up.
o o o o A request for a signal to be given or repeated if not understood.
= o o o Instruction for flagman to protect rear of train.
= = = = The flagman may return from west or south.
= = = = = The flagman may return from east or north.
= = o = Train is approaching public crossings at grade with engine in front. Signal starts not less than 15 seconds but not more than 20 seconds before reaching the crossing. If movement is 45 mph or greater, signal starts at or about the crossing sign, but not more than 1/4 mile before the crossing if there is no sign. Signal is prolonged or repeated until the engine completely occupies the crossing(s).

In addition, this signal is used when approaching private crossings if pedestrians or motor vehicles are at or near the crossing. (In the states of California, Idaho and Montana, the whistle is sounded at all crossings, public and private.)

o = Inspect the brake system for leaks or sticking brakes.
= o Train is approaching men or equipment on or near the track, regardless of any whistle prohibitions.

After this initial warning, "o o" sounds intermittently until the head end of train has passed the men or equipment.

Wrong. New FRA rules have changed in areas now that have quiet zones. Only certain crossings are fall into the no quiet zones. This includes all states. Later RJD

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Wrong. New FRA rules have changed in areas now that have quiet zones. Only certain crossings are fall into the no quiet zones. This includes all states. Later RJD

Not too many considering the number of crossings in the US. It does take a lot to get a crossing designated a "Quiet zone".

[aceinspp]

Matter of fact there are quite a few considering that the reg has been in effect for almost 10 years.The PDF are ones currently added not a complete list. Later RJD

[Iwritecode]

This was the view from my in-laws deck at the CG we just moved out of.

The road was another 40 feet away so the horns were always blowing right as they passed the CG.

The same train tracks go right by the new CG but our sites are farther away.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Matter of fact there are quite a few considering that the reg has been in effect for almost 10 years.The PDF are ones currently added not a complete list. Later RJD

Seems to be a complete list according to the disclaimer.
Report Date: 10/19/2015Disclaimer: This list, which is provided for informational purposes only, merely reflects FRA receipt of quiet zone notification packages. This list does not, however, constitute FRA approval of the contents of any notification package. Notwithstanding this list, public authorities are required to provide complete quiet zone notification packages to all parties listed in 49 CFR 222.43.

666 is not a lot. https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Find#p1...ne%20locations

But, whatever trips your trigger.

[doc73]

I know nothing of trains.. So take this for what it is but... It does not list our area where I work and it is a quiet zone as well.

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[Oakman]

One thing is for sure, this campground isn’t in a quiet zone. At least the barges on the river aren’t as loud. Here are a few pictures of the river traffic today.

[RamblerGuy]

Many years ago, while on a month long trip through the western parks, we stopped for the night in Gallup, NM. We were in a tent trailer. Not a popup. It was an early Apache that was basically a trailer with two small slideout beds and a tent over it. No insulation. The campground between US 66 (I said it was years ago) and a main line railroad, and under the approach to the regional airport. Not much sleep that night.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Seems to be a complete list according to the disclaimer.
Report Date: 10/19/2015Disclaimer: This list, which is provided for informational purposes only, merely reflects FRA receipt of quiet zone notification packages. This list does not, however, constitute FRA approval of the contents of any notification package. Notwithstanding this list, public authorities are required to provide complete quiet zone notification packages to all parties listed in 49 CFR 222.43.

666 is not a lot. https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Find#p1...ne%20locations

But, whatever trips your trigger.

Ya know OC ya should stick to what ya know and not what you have to look up on the internet. We do not contest you knowledge on what you did but about every thing you post seems you have to go to the internet to get answers. End of discussion from here you want to discuss off line be my guest. I'll take you to task and you sure won't win. This is not the forum to do so. Later RJD

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Ya know OC ya should stick to what ya know and not what you have to look up on the internet. We do not contest you knowledge on what you did but about every thing you post seems you have to go to the internet to get answers. End of discussion from here you want to discuss off line be my guest. I'll take you to task and you sure won't win. This is not the forum to do so. Later RJD

Sorry if it offended you, I just posted what is on the fra/gov website: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Find#p1...ne%20locations

[Iwannacamp]

FWIW. I found all the traffic input interesting....now if I could just remember any of it.


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[ChooChooMan74]

I hate trains. Be back later, gotta go move one from Worcester, MA to Selkirk, NY. :-p