Yesterday I wrote about the information signs to be posted at railroad crossings in Illinois - signs that provide the telephone number to call and a crossing location identifier. The placard shown in yesterday's article informed viewers in prominent letters that the Crossing Hotline telephone number was the tollfree number shown. It was a professional sign with an adhesive backing.
Let's take a look at how the Union Pacific has marked three of the grade crossings in Woodstock. Can we expect better out of the Union Pacific. First take a look at these markings on the signal box on North Jefferson Street at East Judd Street, in Woodstock (upper photo). Your eyes are drawn to the street names, and the DOT crossing number is just below them. If you were standing in front of that box in a panic because a gasoline tanker was stalled on the tracks and it was almost time for the afternoon freight train to come through, would you quickly see and recognize the tollfree telephone number on the other door, at the top?
Now look at the signing on the signal box at the crossing at East Calhoun Street and South Madison Street (lower photo). On the side of the signal box facing the corner and away from the tracks is a professionally-made placard with the tollfree hotline number.
And? And nothing else.
You must go around to the other side of the signal box to see the DOT location number. If you are in a panic, will you think to step around to the other side of the box and stand between the box and the tracks? Not hardly!
So now that you know about these boxes, if you see any emergency related to grade crossings, report it. If the gates don't operate properly (e.g., they don't go down when a train approaches), report it.
Yesterday I wrote about the information signs to be posted at railroad crossings in Illinois - signs that provide the telephone number to call and a crossing location identifier. The placard shown in yesterday's article informed viewers in prominent letters that the Crossing Hotline telephone number was the tollfree number shown. It was a professional sign with an adhesive backing.
6 comments:
How about this: You're "standing in front of that box in a panic because a gasoline tanker was stalled on the tracks and it was almost time for the afternoon freight train to come through..." Why not call 911 and get somebody who knows what they are doing? That would free you up to run away screaming and looking at your train schedule.
How about this? In Woodstock, when you dial 9-1-1, you get the dispatcher at the sheriff's department.
After you explain the problem to her, she transfers you to Woodstock P.D., where you explain the problem all over again. And then they call the U.P.
Think it might save time, life, and property to call the U.P. dispatcher directly, provide the DOT Location Number, and let them call directly to the conductor or engineer?
Not if done by someone 'in a panic' with no clue as to what they are doing or who they are talking to. Lets say two people are calling. One to 911 and one to Union Pacific's hotline which is based...where? You are also assuming that the person who answers the phone at Union Pacific is going to pick up a direct line to the engineer on exactly the right train and that it can be done quicker than your scenario. Since you know which direction and when that afternoon freight is coming from you would probably have better luck parking YOUR vehicle at a grade crossing upstream and hope they stop after hitting you. Still saving life, limb, and property.
Why on earth does Woodstock 911 go through the Sheriff's department???
I think Gus is only half right. I beleive CELLULAR calls in Woodstock go to the MCSO but 911 calls from a landline phone go to Woodstock if you're in the city and MCSO if unincorporated.
Ned, thanks for distinguishing between the types of calls.
My underlying assumption was that a person calling in an emergency from a railroad crossing would likely be using a cell phone.
Of course, the person could have gone to a business or residence to call.
Thanks for your sharp eye for detail!
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