tvieno t1_ixwz8ls wrote
Reply to comment by harley9779 in LPT: With winter weather coming along, consider adding the phone number of any railroads you pass over on your daily commute. by [deleted]
>1. Railroads, tracks and trains are owned by different companies.
The railroads own the tracks and the trains on the tracks. With a few small and minor exceptions, they know precisely where their trains are at all times.
>2. 911 has a direct line to all of the RRs in their jurisdiction
They use a phone just like everyone else. Except when you call 911, you have to know where you are. Then 911 has to find out which railroad owns that track then calls the railroad. There is no direct line.
>3. 911 can easily and quickly stop RR traffic.
911 cannot stop trains. Only the railroad can stop their trains.
>4. RRs may not stop traffic based on a phone call from a random person, but will for a 911 dispatcher.
The railroads will attempt to stop a train if it can avoid an accident, regardless of who is calling.
>5. 911 can stop the trains, get a tow truck enroute and an officer to direct traffic, all on less time than you can navigate calling the RR and getting to the correct person.
911 does not call for a tow truck unless they are directed by the police on scene.
>6. 911 is easy and a number people already have memorized.
No phone number to memorize, look at the signpost for a phone number.
>7. Calling 911 is also the recommended action by every train company and emergency service. They also recommend calling the RR emergency number if you are able to find.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which oversees railroads says to first call the railroad phone number on each crossing signpost and only to call 911 as a last resort.
harley9779 t1_ixwzvc7 wrote
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Yes the RRs do own it all, several different RRs with several different phone numbers.
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True they use a phone, they have the number preprogrammed and can call it and get through in seconds.
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Sort of. 911 calls the RR to stop trains. It is a quick process. I've done it several times.
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Mostly, yes, but RRs also get hoaxes. They will confirm information from a private citizen while they will immediately halt trains with a call from LE.
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False, dispatchers often start tow trucks prior to LE being on scene when crmircumstances dictate.
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Yes there are phone numbers on a sign. 911 is still easier and faster.
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FMCSA does not say call the RR first. You and others are adding this. It says call 911 if you don't have the RR number. 911 is easier and quicker in most cases.
BouncingSphinx t1_ixx31iy wrote
>It says call 911 if you don't have the RR number.
Yes, the site does tell you (not in these specific words) call the railroad before 911.
The number for RR is usually posted at or near the crossing, and like has been mentioned by others it's a direct call to the RR that operates the line. True 911 might be easier for whoever is calling, but more likely to get a stop sooner by calling the number provided, rather than the middleman of dispatch trying to call.
harley9779 t1_ixx3i05 wrote
Possibly. Although I think calling 911, the dispatcher hitting the speed dial for the Railroad, and the RR stopping trains would be quicker in most cases than the motorist getting out of their vehicle, looking for the phone number, calling the phone number, attempting to find and give the necessary information and eventually getting the trains stopped.
Going through dispatch takes a very short amount of time.
harley9779 t1_ixx8kdd wrote
The site does not say before or first. You all keep adding this.
BouncingSphinx t1_iy5liq8 wrote
It doesn't say in those exact words, no. First line of the site says to call the railroad. Last line of that section says to call 911 or local if you can't find the emergency number to railroad which to me still implies call railroad first if you can.
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