Railroad crossings

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by nekom, Feb 17, 2011.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Feb 17, 2011 #1
    nekom

    nekom Bobtail Member

    15
    3
    Mar 26, 2010
    0
    I heard something once and I wonder if it's true. What I heard is that trucks are not supposed to shift gears while crossing railroad tracks until after the trailer has completely cleared the crossing. I'm not sure if this is a law of some sort, policy of major companies, advice or total bunk but that's what I heart. I guess the rationale would be to keep from stalling and getting hung up at the crossing, which would be a bad deal no doubt, but honestly is there some risk of stalling between gears? I've never driven a big rig but I've driven a stick shift for years and I can't recall EVER having stalled it between gears. Even when I first started learning, I'd stall it for sure but only from a stop to 1st, never between gears. Is there any truth to this or it it just made up?

    Also do you notice any trucks trying to beat trains or do you guys pretty much figure it's worth the wait not to take the risk? Me if I see lights or hear the horn, I'm stopping even if I know I COULD beat it. I've been stopped at crossings and had other 4 wheelers actually drive around me to beat the train. I think trying to beat trains is one of the most boneheaded things you could do, what do you truckers think of it? And yes I realize there are boneheaded truckers just as there are boneheaded four wheelers, bad apples in every bunch for sure, just trying to get the general opinion.
     
    nekom, Feb 17, 2011
    nekom, Feb 17, 2011
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Feb 17, 2011 #2
    end of the road

    end of the road Heavy Load Member

    868
    540
    Jul 4, 2010
    Northern Canada
    0
    That is what I have been told, not sure if it is a law on the books but I still practice it.
     
    end of the road, Feb 17, 2011
    end of the road, Feb 17, 2011
    #2
  4. Feb 17, 2011 #3
    Flying Finn

    Flying Finn Heavy Load Member

    972
    558
    Jun 22, 2010
    Ontario, Canada
    0
    I know in Ontario the MTO will automatically fail you if you shift on tracks during a road test.

    I never bothered to check the HTA to see if it is a law or just a rule of thumb so to speak.
     
    Flying Finn, Feb 17, 2011
    Flying Finn, Feb 17, 2011
    #3
  5. Feb 17, 2011 #4
    Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

    1,430
    912
    Feb 5, 2009
    Tacoma, WA
    0
    In WA State, it's a law. The reason is for stalling out as you meantioned. It's aimed at the lower gears (1-5) where you have a chance of stalling the truck and blocking the tracks. You will instantly fail a DOT road test if you shift on a track.

    As far as racing the train, just google search it. You'll find a ton of rig vs iron horse vids and pics.
     
    Palazon, Feb 17, 2011
    Palazon, Feb 17, 2011
    #4
  7. Feb 17, 2011 #5
    dodge24v

    dodge24v Light Load Member

    99
    34
    Nov 21, 2010
    VA
    0
    it's the same here in virginia, I just took the DMV road test for my class A on Feb 11th.

    No shifting on tracks.
     
    dodge24v, Feb 17, 2011
    dodge24v, Feb 17, 2011
    #5
  8. Feb 17, 2011 #6
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,748
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    Got a link to that wa law ??

    Like to read it, thanks.
     
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    #6
  9. Feb 17, 2011 #7
    oo7driver

    oo7driver Light Load Member

    104
    44
    Dec 19, 2010
    Lansing Mich
    0
    I cant say it is a law because I am not 100% sure. But in drivers school they teach it this way and you have to make your traffic checks before crossing the tracks and you also have to have both hands on the wheel. Failure to do this will result in instant failure of your test. :biggrin_25510:
    And like mentioned before it is to prevent stalling or for newbies it prevents missing a gear and getting caught on the tracks. In Mich when you take the driving test you have to cross at least 1 rr track on your test.
     
    oo7driver, Feb 17, 2011
    oo7driver, Feb 17, 2011
    #7
    spuddatruckdriver Thanks this.
  10. Feb 17, 2011 #8
    Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

    2,541
    2,585
    Apr 14, 2009
    aircap, Ks.
    0
    Kansas, Feb 17, 2011
    Kansas, Feb 17, 2011
    #8
    123456 Thanks this.
  11. Feb 17, 2011 #9
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,748
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    I can't find it, maybe somebody else can.
     
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    #9
  12. Feb 17, 2011 #10
    Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

    3,663
    3,499
    May 6, 2010
    Dallas, TX
    0
    FMCSA 392.10 states..."When it is safe to do so, the driver may drive the commercial motor vehicle across the tracks in a gear that permits the commercial motor vehicle to complete the crossing without a change of gears."

    Now 392.10 covers hazmat loads. 392.11 covers all other crossings and does not have the language.

    It is ALWAYS best NOT to change gears while crossing tracks, as a matter of safety.
     
    Emulsified, Feb 17, 2011
    Emulsified, Feb 17, 2011
    #10
    Svoray, DedHedEd, Palazon and 1 other person Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 4