Catskill Mountain Railroad's new gates at Washington Ave

Описание: History was made yesterday with the completion of the automated crossing protection on the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston NY. After extensive testing & fitting, 1-22-26 was the first day of a 'regular operation'... even if just a lowly centercab with work caboose.

Years in the making, these track-circuit controlled gates protect roadway traffic on the main thoroughfare linking Kingston city to I87, US209 and NY28. Crowning the completion of this revitalized crossing, the gates flank the concrete mats laid down last year, between ballasted trackbeds topped with new 115# rail. The gantries look almost like a gateway; a rather fitting visual cue to those entering and exiting the state's first capital.

For the first time since about 1980, a bell and lights automatically activate upon the approach of a train, to warn motorists to give right-of-way. Upon passage from the circuit, the gates return upward, lights extinguish, and traffic is free to continue about; all without crew intervention or pause of the train. A notable upgrade since that retired kit over 45 years ago, a sidewalk flanks today's roadway, adorned with its own pair of smaller gates to protect those on foot.

Though gone are the days hi-viz flagmen dismounting a locomotive to parry traffic, flagmen as myself rejoice in the reduction of crew labor required for the safe passage of trains. Reallocation of manpower to other vital projects ensures the continued operation and restoration of the all-rail route into the Catskills.