I love how Danny says he is going to provide the most basic explanation of crossing signals and then produces the most comprehensive explanation of the different types of crossing systems I've ever seen. Best. RUclipsr. Ever.
My man, you have THE voice for broadcast or documentary. I would learn literally anything if you narrated it. Edit: and some quick google-fu tells me you already have a career in radio announcement and production. I knew something sounded right here! Hats off to you, sir.
*I remember being a young kid back in the late 90s playing on the tracks. We were curious on how the crossing arms knew a train was coming and would watch around at what point the train activated the crossing arms. We saw where the activation started once the train left we laid a bed frame across the tracks and sure enough it activated the crossing arms. Being young and dumb we kept activating them until the police came to see whats going on. They yelled at us and called our parents*
does this still work? even if you just took a regular steel pole and touched either sides? and do all RR crossings work like this? or is it just some older ones because I'm not too sure if they updated it and changed how it worked
@@rowan312 I think back then it was the joiner bars we laid the bed frame across. It’s been so long that it what I think it was. Because all we did was lay it across the tracks and a few seconds later it activated the crossing arms. I’m sure it’s different now with technology advances in that city Newark CA. I’m sure it’ll still work on other racks with that system. I’d say I’d go try it to see if it works still but I’m in my 30s now and know better.
We did the same thing with an old metal door frame. Set it off every time and they would just come and toss the frame to the side. Then of course being dumb kids we would just do it again on our way to school. They finally smartened up after 4-5 times and took it with them.
I've often wondered about the signals and how they work. A fast train activates a quarter mile away but a slow one just yards away. Thanks for the best explanation I could have recieved!
Could you come to Sweden and patch up crossings? We have some where the gates go up at the wrong time, so people start crossing the rails, only getting halfway across before the gates begin to lower again. It's a disaster waiting to happen
Great video! Thanks. As an electrical and systems engineer it’s always fun and enlightening to learn a bit about other industries. This is just the right level of detail.
Hi Danny. I would like to just quickly say thank you for posting "How Railroad Crossing Signals Work" I find this to be an informative RUclips video. It helps me ti understand what goes on in those grey metal huts or boxes that are near the tracks when I go for my walks. Thanks again.
A gentleman - Mark Clay McGowen- has a channel of his experiences as a signalman for UP on here with some very detailed yet protected descriptions of the equipment and the duties it may do within the crossings he used to maintain. Great stuff to add to your collective efforts here sir and just another beauty from the Distant Signal world for us to watch and rewatch...and we always thank you...
It's been a while since I was a software engineer at Safetran 25 years ago, but your explanation of the various crossing control sensor types and how they work is pretty spot on for the technology in use at that time. Basically, a transmitter injects an AC signal on one side of the crossing, and is monitored by a receiver connection on the other side of the crossing. The track between the 2 connections is the island. If a train is on the crossing -- the "island" -- the signal is completely shorted by the train's axles and the receiver sees no signal at all, so that's how the electronics know a train is on the crossing. Otherwise, the train presents a rolling shunt across the tracks, and the two rails and the train constitute a electrical loop which is an inductor, electronically. The closer the train is to the crossing, the smaller the loop and the smaller the inductance. The electronics monitors the amplitude and phase of the received signal - which is changing when a train is moving in the approach circuit due to the changing inductance - and can tell from that whether the train is coming or going, how fast and how close it is, and in the case of a GCP can use that info to predict when the train will hit the crossing, and drop the gates at a predetermined number of seconds beforehand. Things do get a bit more complicated when there are multiple grade crossings with overlapping approach circuits. I'm sure crossing control systems are much more sophisticated now though.
Thank you so much for providing this information. Living in close proximity of railway lines, I have often wondered what makes the crossing signals work. I have found your explanations very helpful. Thank you.
I always grew wanting to know how these work, Thank you so much Danny for teaching me about the various ways these Railroad Crossings work. I understood every thing in this video. 10.10 Would Recommend.
It makes me curious if it's possible to use different tones to prevent the gates from ever coming down if a train is going to stop before the crossing. That way, traffic can keep going until the train actually does need to continue on.
@@neko7684 if the crossing is equipped with remote control activation and set up with no approach, then it would not activate unless the crew activates it or whenever equipment occupies the island. On the circuits that have an approach and remote activation, the crews are able to override the approach and deactivate the crossing remotely as well.
I've designed/installed DTMF controlled power switches for several Class I's in the last decade in non-signaled territory (no dispatcher control), CSXT included as a signal system engineer.
As always, every time, the best, most professional rail fan video on the internet. Thank you very much for doing the hard work that enables we armchair fans to learn and enjoy. Stay safe!
Fun fact: being that the island circuit system only requires something metal to bridge the tracks to activate the signals, objects other than trains can trigger the signals. For example, I plow roads in the winter and have two grade crossings on my route. On a few occasions my truck’s wing blade has bridged the rails and momentarily activated the signals.
Hell of a voice, clear deliberate pronunciation + enunciation, good tempo/pacing.... This guy's got to be a radio dj, voice over artist, or something... Can't you just imagine him saying "This is a test of emergency alert system, this is only a test"? Lol. Love this, subscribing now.
11:48 as the engine's number is 911 and it's painted in the firefighter colors I assume it's a tribute not only to Firefighters but specifically New York City September event of 2001. MYPET GOAT yes we know the truth.
@@chrishuston4445 he teaches us so well how the crossing system identifies the approaching train to lower the gates, I want to learn how the ambifascient lunar waneshaft effectively prevents side fumbling!
I dont even need to see the video before I give it the thumbs up. I already know it's good because it's from Danny. Keep up the good content Danny. Hope you're well. Loving it from near Chicago.
Howdy from the U.K. just really getting into watching trains as am more of an aviation enthusiast but a friend from my school days works for the railway/railroad here in the U.K. so am trying to understand it more and so watching your vlogs even though they refer to U.S railroad’s help me to understand how stuff works so keep it up boss
Sitting here at 1:15 in the morning and this video came up in my recommended. Very glad it did, right amount of information and presentation in my opinion.
After a long busy day at my Volunteer job, and seeing a new video Danny Uploaded, it can make your evening/night fun and exciting to look forward to watching. Thank you for the information Danny, I learned a lot, glad to see you safe and sound.
I have one question that have been in my head for years now. How do the railway companies make locomotives speak with each other? Here in Norway diffrent types of locomotives can’t work as a pair. Then you gotta need a secound engineer to operate both locomotive. Only locomotives of the same type that are made to be multiple working together can be operated from the leader of the consist. But over in the US you guys is like connecting 70s SD40s with a state of the art ET44AC. Or an SD70ACe-P4 for an example.
I liked those locomotives. My Dad was a retired fired fighter and my mom's cousin was a retired fire chief from Tampa. Chuck Campbell, his children still live in the area. Can't beat the weather there in the winter. Thanks for sharing
Another Great video. I can remember when there was a tower in Royal Oak, MI that was manned 24/7/365 with someone who activated the crossings in town. Keep them coming Danny!!
I've always been curious how multiple locomotives in the lead, DPU's and rear are synchronized and speed contorted? Is there crew members in all these engines or are they remotely controlled by the lead engine?
I have exactly the same question. I'm assuming, until proven wrong, that broadband/internet has something to do with it as I can't imagine physical connections working over those distances.
Nowadays, they are all remote controlled from the head unit. Back in the day though, they would have a separate crew in radio communication with the first coordinating the movements of the train. These were called helper sets.
I still love to watch the lights, bells and gates drop. Then that big horn blasting.. im 50 yrs old but still feel like im 12 again when i see the train nearing the RR crossing... i guess we all do... love the video
I don't know why this was in my recommendations, nor am I a fan of trains, but this fascinated me and I ended up watching the whole video. This youtube algorithm is pretty scary stuff.
Yay! A Danny video! - just one thing to add, whenever the gates are down, or the lights are flashing. Even if the crossing may be broken, NEVER drive around the gates. No matter what, even if the gates have been down for 2 hours, never go around because you never know what is coming!
I live next to the CSX Henderson Sub, and have seen people run past the gates several times. My parents were standing out side near my porch, and almost saw a pickup hit by the J731 local, one night...
It is also _ALWAYS_ illegal to drive around lowered or raising/lowering crossing gates. Do not do it. This is above and beyond the mass ratio of a train to your car is like your car and an empty soda can. In many places it is LEGAL to stop and proceed with flashing lights but no gate. Obviously, Stop, Look and Listen, and be sure it's safe to do so before proceeding. But, also check with your local laws, because it varies from place to place in the US.
@@jovetj You're right about it being illegal, but a lot of idiots do it, anyway. I said, elsewhere, it's, either, temporary insanity or a death wish. Either way, more often than not, it ends in death. DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Fascinating... I had wrongly assumed that all crossings were created equal... Thank you for the great, clear explanation with great examples. Oh, and those Spirit CSX units are just gorgeous!
9:06 when you work on the railroad long enough to know by EAR what that DTMF tone was before even looking it up ( it was 6-4-2-*) 😉 Edit: I don't even work for CSX, but the Class II Railroad I work for has many power switches where we use DTMF tones to "throw" the switch. And with all Railroads, you use DTMF tones to get a hold of dispatchers and yardmasters on the radio. Basically they're just audio tones that the radio senses. So in theory you can "recreate" the tones if you can replicate the pitch of each DTMF tone.
I think each of them isn't a specific pitch, but a two-note chord. It sounds like it's the same as old touchtone phones, which means that what you have is a pitch for each row of the keypad and a pitch for each column, and every time you press a button it plays both of those notes on top of each other. So there's still 12 identifiable sounds but each one's made of two different frequencies.
@@AlRoderick it's exactly the same. That's what DTMF is. Fun fact, you can basically do all the little goofy tricks you could with dial tones back in the day with the dial tones from the radio lol.
Great video. I have always wondered how the crossing signals activate and you fulfilled my curiosity. The next time I stop at a railroad crossing, i'll be looking for the things you pointed out.
@@SD40Fan_Jason ya its the same thing different name. if i remember from class i think it stands for Predictive motion detection. but we just called them HXP- 3 system. they are not installing those new anymore. the new system is called XP-4 .
One can always count on some very valuable information in a Danny Harmon video. Thanks Danny you filled some of my voids regarding signaling. Keep up the great work!
Super video! Didn't know crossings were that sophisticated and varied, but makes sense when theres different types of trains all using the same lines. Have been there waiting when trains are moving onto the wye to the Winston yard and the local switcher is moving cars to that North side Industrial Park at County Line and US 98. And been to the Broward North Courthouse next to the Deerfield Beach grade crossing where the Amtrak and Tri-Rail station is (don't ask why ;-)!)
I really enjoy your videos Danny. You really remind me of the venerable ex coach of the University of Texas Longhorns football team, Mack Brown. I was once the last bus of a six bus convoy driving through San Antonio. We were driving through the city and crossing the tracks just north of the Amtrak train station. All of the busses made it across the tracks except for me. As I approached the gate started coming down and I was stopped. I would have been lost if I was unable to stay with the convoy because I had no idea where I was going. Apparently the engineer took pity on me because after a couple of seconds the gates went up and I was allowed to join the rest of the buses. I have always wanted to thank that guy for pulling my fat out of the fire.
When I moved to Dumont, NJ in 1957 we had four rails & still running steam. There was a guy in a tiny hut next to the crossing fixing bikes & manually operating the main crossing in town.
Danny you did a great job explaining how Grade crossing work. I worked as a signal engineer for ConRail and then a private Engineering after ConRail demise. As you said then is a little bit more by great job anyway.
Great video on how railroad grade crossings work it was always fascinating to see the lights flash and the gates go down when ever a train goes by since I was a kid i was in amazement with it fantastic train fan content 👍👍
FYI a little humor to go with the grade crossing story.Years ago we were driving pile along CSX Lines near Eastern Ave, N.E.for the DC Metro system, pile is driven to a "blow count" per foot, once blow count is reached the remaining pile is cut off. These cut offs were stacked across the rails to make it easier to choker cables around them so the crane could load the into trucks. CSX folks who were with us to inform us of train schedules ( you don't want to be driving a pile, which can take 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, when a train is approaching, you can't stop and they can't stop) informed us, after their supervisors informed them we had activated several gate crossings totally stopping traffic in the area. That is how I learned about the electrical contacts across rails.
Great video, I'll be sharing this with several people who have wondered it. I remember many years ago, I saw a group of kids walking down a track and as they stood on the rails and held hands, they set off the nearby grade crossing (this was on the SCL at Olustee, Florida). I was in a NRHS chapter with Crick Hatch for several years. He was, shall we say, an acquired taste...
I just found your channel..and it was fascinating and very educational. I always wondered how those signals work. Looking forward to seeing more of your great videos!
![OsamaSon - ik what you did last summer [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4DIQDnu3mr4/mqdefault.jpg)
I love how Danny says he is going to provide the most basic explanation of crossing signals and then produces the most comprehensive explanation of the different types of crossing systems I've ever seen. Best. RUclipsr. Ever.
Very nice explanation for the signaling system. Relatively goof proof.
very good explanation of how they activate
They need to clone this guy because he's got the perfect voice for train videos.
On god
I agree, his content is outstanding!
My man, you have THE voice for broadcast or documentary. I would learn literally anything if you narrated it.
Edit: and some quick google-fu tells me you already have a career in radio announcement and production. I knew something sounded right here! Hats off to you, sir.
Wow, thanks very much, Captain!
Hehe, Google-fu! Like that. Great announcers voice, I picked up on that.
Lol "google-fu" gave me a chuckle
Hes the Paul Harvey of railfans
Look him up that's what he does.
*I remember being a young kid back in the late 90s playing on the tracks. We were curious on how the crossing arms knew a train was coming and would watch around at what point the train activated the crossing arms. We saw where the activation started once the train left we laid a bed frame across the tracks and sure enough it activated the crossing arms. Being young and dumb we kept activating them until the police came to see whats going on. They yelled at us and called our parents*
That’s awesome lol
does this still work? even if you just took a regular steel pole and touched either sides? and do all RR crossings work like this? or is it just some older ones because I'm not too sure if they updated it and changed how it worked
@@rowan312 I think back then it was the joiner bars we laid the bed frame across. It’s been so long that it what I think it was. Because all we did was lay it across the tracks and a few seconds later it activated the crossing arms. I’m sure it’s different now with technology advances in that city Newark CA. I’m sure it’ll still work on other racks with that system. I’d say I’d go try it to see if it works still but I’m in my 30s now and know better.
@@MrAnderson84 ok. thank you!
We did the same thing with an old metal door frame. Set it off every time and they would just come and toss the frame to the side. Then of course being dumb kids we would just do it again on our way to school. They finally smartened up after 4-5 times and took it with them.
I've often wondered about the signals and how they work. A fast train activates a quarter mile away but a slow one just yards away. Thanks for the best explanation I could have recieved!
For many years, I had no idea how these signals knew how to activate for an impending train! You did a fantastic job explaining everything!
Glad you enjoyed it!
You know its a good day when Distant Signal uploads.
Yes
Indeed
Ya
It’s 83 degrees here in philly so it’s definitely a good day
Same
As a retired Signalman/Signal Maintainer hired by the Southern Railway System and retired off of the Norfolk Southern Railway: I approve this video!
Many, MANY thanks!
As a signal maintainer for Canadian Pacific Railway. I also approve this video. Well Done.
Woo hoo! Maintainer approved!
As a CSX Engineer, I approve this video as well.
Could you come to Sweden and patch up crossings?
We have some where the gates go up at the wrong time, so people start crossing the rails, only getting halfway across before the gates begin to lower again. It's a disaster waiting to happen
Once again when Danny Uploads a video we must stop what were doing and watch it!
Great video! Thanks. As an electrical and systems engineer it’s always fun and enlightening to learn a bit about other industries. This is just the right level of detail.
Hi Danny. I would like to just quickly say thank you for posting "How Railroad Crossing Signals Work" I find this to be an informative RUclips video. It helps me ti understand what goes on in those grey metal huts or boxes that are near the tracks when I go for my walks. Thanks again.
A gentleman - Mark Clay McGowen- has a channel of his experiences as a signalman for UP on here with some very detailed yet protected descriptions of the equipment and the duties it may do within the crossings he used to maintain. Great stuff to add to your collective efforts here sir and just another beauty from the Distant Signal world for us to watch and rewatch...and we always thank you...
And he has a good channel too.
@@jimrawls5509 agreed felt so sorry for him with the COVID ravaging his voice for so long
Danny, this is a great explanation of how changing impedance is used to regulate crossing signals and gates! Thanks!
In a world gone wrong, Danny Harmon makes it alright.
I learned something today.
Thank you sir!
Like your logo Track and Trail. Gotta be the old Chesapeake & Ohio!!
I'm glad I found your videos Danny. Entertaining and informative. I see crossings every day and I always thought they were weight activated.
It's been a while since I was a software engineer at Safetran 25 years ago, but your explanation of the various crossing control sensor types and how they work is pretty spot on for the technology in use at that time.
Basically, a transmitter injects an AC signal on one side of the crossing, and is monitored by a receiver connection on the other side of the crossing. The track between the 2 connections is the island. If a train is on the crossing -- the "island" -- the signal is completely shorted by the train's axles and the receiver sees no signal at all, so that's how the electronics know a train is on the crossing.
Otherwise, the train presents a rolling shunt across the tracks, and the two rails and the train constitute a electrical loop which is an inductor, electronically. The closer the train is to the crossing, the smaller the loop and the smaller the inductance. The electronics monitors the amplitude and phase of the received signal - which is changing when a train is moving in the approach circuit due to the changing inductance - and can tell from that whether the train is coming or going, how fast and how close it is, and in the case of a GCP can use that info to predict when the train will hit the crossing, and drop the gates at a predetermined number of seconds beforehand.
Things do get a bit more complicated when there are multiple grade crossings with overlapping approach circuits.
I'm sure crossing control systems are much more sophisticated now though.
That's a great explanation, Mike Thanks! I wish I'd had you along when I was making this video. Ha!
I always enjoy the education that Danny gives us! Always enjoy learning about the train consists, the routes and timing and the track gear :)
Excellent presentation, Danny. As an electrical engineer I compliment you for finding the balance between good detail and too techical.
It was always something I sort of knew, but was always curious how they really worked.. thanks Danny
Thank you so much for providing this information. Living in close proximity of railway lines, I have often wondered what makes the crossing signals work. I have found your explanations very helpful. Thank you.
I always grew wanting to know how these work, Thank you so much Danny for teaching me about the various ways these Railroad Crossings work. I understood every thing in this video. 10.10 Would Recommend.
Never knew about radio tones activating crossing signals. Thanks Danny!
In places where approach activation is not feasible, it's becoming more common now. But it's a technology that's been in use for at least 25 years!
It makes me curious if it's possible to use different tones to prevent the gates from ever coming down if a train is going to stop before the crossing. That way, traffic can keep going until the train actually does need to continue on.
@@neko7684 if the crossing is equipped with remote control activation and set up with no approach, then it would not activate unless the crew activates it or whenever equipment occupies the island. On the circuits that have an approach and remote activation, the crews are able to override the approach and deactivate the crossing remotely as well.
@@SD40Fan_Jason Or where road traffic doesn't allow a station delay to be used in the predictor.
I've designed/installed DTMF controlled power switches for several Class I's in the last decade in non-signaled territory (no dispatcher control), CSXT included as a signal system engineer.
Whenever I hear that "Hello again Railfans" I feel like I can kick through a wall
Frickin SAME
Same
Da heck? 😂
Same!
What did that poor wall do to you😂
As always, every time, the best, most professional rail fan video on the internet. Thank you very much for doing the hard work that enables we armchair fans to learn and enjoy. Stay safe!
Fun fact: being that the island circuit system only requires something metal to bridge the tracks to activate the signals, objects other than trains can trigger the signals. For example, I plow roads in the winter and have two grade crossings on my route. On a few occasions my truck’s wing blade has bridged the rails and momentarily activated the signals.
I'm not sure why youtube recommend this, but it's so calming and definitely something I need right now.
That was the best explanation ive ever heard on crossings! Thanks for the info Danny.
When you like the video even before watching it!
Hell of a voice, clear deliberate pronunciation + enunciation, good tempo/pacing.... This guy's got to be a radio dj, voice over artist, or something... Can't you just imagine him saying "This is a test of emergency alert system, this is only a test"? Lol. Love this, subscribing now.
Wow! Thanks for such a nice compliment.
11:48 as the engine's number is 911 and it's painted in the firefighter colors I assume it's a tribute not only to Firefighters but specifically New York City September event of 2001. MYPET GOAT yes we know the truth.
@@distantsignal >> I would like to hear Danny do the History of the Turbo Encabulator
ruclips.net/video/Ac7G7xOG2Ag/видео.html
I very much agree, he could be a good narrator of PBS documentary.
@@chrishuston4445 he teaches us so well how the crossing system identifies the approaching train to lower the gates, I want to learn how the ambifascient lunar waneshaft effectively prevents side fumbling!
The Norfolk Southern train coming into Kingsland stops until the arms come down here sometimes. Love those trains. ❤️
Thanks Beulah.
A most EXCELLENT and INFORMATIVE video Danny! Thanks for sharing!
I dont even need to see the video before I give it the thumbs up. I already know it's good because it's from Danny. Keep up the good content Danny. Hope you're well. Loving it from near Chicago.
I’m actually trying to build a realistic functional Lego grade crossing signal as a project- this was a good video to watch for that!
Howdy from the U.K. just really getting into watching trains as am more of an aviation enthusiast but a friend from my school days works for the railway/railroad here in the U.K. so am trying to understand it more and so watching your vlogs even though they refer to U.S railroad’s help me to understand how stuff works so keep it up boss
Sitting here at 1:15 in the morning and this video came up in my recommended. Very glad it did, right amount of information and presentation in my opinion.
How ironic, I was just out watching a Florida central RR train pass, and I see this. Really cool Danny!
After a long busy day at my Volunteer job, and seeing a new video Danny Uploaded, it can make your evening/night fun and exciting to look forward to watching. Thank you for the information Danny, I learned a lot, glad to see you safe and sound.
Thank you so much about the history of the Artistic messages! I am always glad to see a new video!
Thanks again Danny for another fascinating and educational video segment. I really enjoyed watching your reports.
I can watch Distant Signal videos for days on end and never get enough!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🚑
Ahh! The best notification ever just came through! Hi Danny!
Alright! Another video from Danny, makes the week feel worth it.
Ya think? lol
it’s funny that he not only visited a railfan spot i frequently visit, but he also caught a dash 8 on an amtrak like I did about a week ago.
We we're visiting family in Boca Raton last weekend so I snuck out Sunday morning to Deerfield and picked up that stuff.
@@distantsignal I railfan at deerfield :O
@@distantsignal man the 3194 is such a beautiful engine im glad I caught him at plant city
Could you please do a video on DPU's? Basically I am wondering why some are in the middle and others are on the bottom. Is it just logistics?
I have one question that have been in my head for years now. How do the railway companies make locomotives speak with each other? Here in Norway diffrent types of locomotives can’t work as a pair. Then you gotta need a secound engineer to operate both locomotive. Only locomotives of the same type that are made to be multiple working together can be operated from the leader of the consist. But over in the US you guys is like connecting 70s SD40s with a state of the art ET44AC. Or an SD70ACe-P4 for an example.
This is _THE_ best video explaining how this works! Thank you!!! Been curious all 32 years of my life!
I liked those locomotives. My Dad was a retired fired fighter and my mom's cousin was a retired fire chief from Tampa. Chuck Campbell, his children still live in the area. Can't beat the weather there in the winter. Thanks for sharing
Love your videos Danny, if there is any railfanning youtuber I want to watch, it is you! I have notifications on! Love your content Danny!
Another Great video. I can remember when there was a tower in Royal Oak, MI that was manned 24/7/365 with someone who activated the crossings in town. Keep them coming Danny!!
I've always been curious how multiple locomotives in the lead, DPU's and rear are synchronized and speed contorted? Is there crew members in all these engines or are they remotely controlled by the lead engine?
I have exactly the same question. I'm assuming, until proven wrong, that broadband/internet has something to do with it as I can't imagine physical connections working over those distances.
Nowadays, they are all remote controlled from the head unit. Back in the day though, they would have a separate crew in radio communication with the first coordinating the movements of the train. These were called helper sets.
remote synchronization via radio signal is how the lead car drives all the other units in unison :)
I still love to watch the lights, bells and gates drop. Then that big horn blasting.. im 50 yrs old but still feel like im 12 again when i see the train nearing the RR crossing... i guess we all do... love the video
Literally not even into trains at all but somehow watched this from start to finish. Great entertainment
This man is phenomenal, a great teacher and also has a great voice so he should be in Hollywood doing voice overs.
He does! lol
@@mikesmith4644 Hollywood, Florida? lol
I don't know why this was in my recommendations, nor am I a fan of trains, but this fascinated me and I ended up watching the whole video.
This youtube algorithm is pretty scary stuff.
I feel it's less that the algorithm is scary, and more that human patterns are fairly predictable. :)
Danny, You have no idea how excited I got when u posted this!!!
Helps to appreciate, knowing the work involved.
I love this guy's voice. I feel like I'm in a museum watching a feature docudrama
Yay! A Danny video! - just one thing to add, whenever the gates are down, or the lights are flashing. Even if the crossing may be broken, NEVER drive around the gates. No matter what, even if the gates have been down for 2 hours, never go around because you never know what is coming!
Mhm!
I live next to the CSX Henderson Sub, and have seen people run past the gates several times. My parents were standing out side near my porch, and almost saw a pickup hit by the J731 local, one night...
@@bluegrassman3040 It's either temporary insanity or a death wish. Either way, these people don't think about how this affects the train crews.
It is also _ALWAYS_ illegal to drive around lowered or raising/lowering crossing gates. Do not do it. This is above and beyond the mass ratio of a train to your car is like your car and an empty soda can.
In many places it is LEGAL to stop and proceed with flashing lights but no gate. Obviously, Stop, Look and Listen, and be sure it's safe to do so before proceeding. But, also check with your local laws, because it varies from place to place in the US.
@@jovetj You're right about it being illegal, but a lot of idiots do it, anyway. I said, elsewhere, it's, either, temporary insanity or a death wish. Either way, more often than not, it ends in death. DON'T DO IT!!!!!
You're looking good Danny. Great video as always.
This is what the internet and RUclips are great for - educating people in something that is interesting. Thank You.
Fascinating... I had wrongly assumed that all crossings were created equal... Thank you for the great, clear explanation with great examples. Oh, and those Spirit CSX units are just gorgeous!
This is the best"simple" explanation on how grade signals work.
9:06 when you work on the railroad long enough to know by EAR what that DTMF tone was before even looking it up ( it was 6-4-2-*) 😉
Edit: I don't even work for CSX, but the Class II Railroad I work for has many power switches where we use DTMF tones to "throw" the switch. And with all Railroads, you use DTMF tones to get a hold of dispatchers and yardmasters on the radio. Basically they're just audio tones that the radio senses. So in theory you can "recreate" the tones if you can replicate the pitch of each DTMF tone.
I think each of them isn't a specific pitch, but a two-note chord. It sounds like it's the same as old touchtone phones, which means that what you have is a pitch for each row of the keypad and a pitch for each column, and every time you press a button it plays both of those notes on top of each other. So there's still 12 identifiable sounds but each one's made of two different frequencies.
@@AlRoderick it's exactly the same. That's what DTMF is. Fun fact, you can basically do all the little goofy tricks you could with dial tones back in the day with the dial tones from the radio lol.
Its actually 3-4-2-* but yes I can even tell by ear.
Great video Danny, glad you caught the Pride In Service units!
Awesome video, as both a railfan and electronics hobbyist, this stuff fascinates me.
Great video. I have always wondered how the crossing signals activate and you fulfilled my curiosity. The next time I stop at a railroad crossing, i'll be looking for the things you pointed out.
My wife and I are Jawtooth fans of your contemporary in Ohio, but after your Auto Train and DPU videos we are now subscribers. You do fantastic work.
Thanks very much Ed!
Saw the notification and had to click it
Yes! More Distant Signal. The railroad historian, I just started freaking out. Yessss
I feel it's necessary to mention that the first iteration of Motion Detectors were developed and distributed by "Harmon Electronics"
Ha! Didn't know that one!!! Thanks!
That's really cool.
they are called a harmon crossing processor. or HXP for short
@@shrek7954 the manual I have is for a Harmon Electronics PMD-1 and PMD-3
@@SD40Fan_Jason ya its the same thing different name. if i remember from class i think it stands for Predictive motion detection. but we just called them HXP- 3 system. they are not installing those new anymore. the new system is called XP-4 .
That is very interesting; I didn't think grade crossings would hold my attention but you did and I learned a lot about this subject. Thanks!
That's a nice compliment. Many thanks!
I've always wondered how the train crossing signals are activated and now I know. Thanks Danny
Yahoo! A Distant Signal video. I’m a lot smarter now too!
Kudos to another great video Danny and thanks!
Nice video! Good to see you back in soflo for a bit!
One can always count on some very valuable information in a Danny Harmon video. Thanks Danny you filled some of my voids regarding signaling. Keep up the great work!
Super video! Didn't know crossings were that sophisticated and varied, but makes sense when theres different types of trains all using the same lines. Have been there waiting when trains are moving onto the wye to the Winston yard and the local switcher is moving cars to that North side Industrial Park at County Line and US 98. And been to the Broward North Courthouse next to the Deerfield Beach grade crossing where the Amtrak and Tri-Rail station is (don't ask why ;-)!)
I really enjoy your videos Danny.
You really remind me of the venerable ex coach of the University of Texas Longhorns football team, Mack Brown.
I was once the last bus of a six bus convoy driving through San Antonio.
We were driving through the city and crossing the tracks just north of the Amtrak train station.
All of the busses made it across the tracks except for me.
As I approached the gate started coming down and I was stopped. I would have been lost if I was unable to stay with the convoy because I had no idea where I was going. Apparently the engineer took pity on me because after a couple of seconds the gates went up and I was allowed to join the rest of the buses.
I have always wanted to thank that guy for pulling my fat out of the fire.
That’s the fastest I’ve ever clicked a notification
Lol same, I was eating and was like, well, eating can wait!
yes
Whenever I get a notification from a Danny video, it's like getting a wrapped Christmas present and can't wait to open it!
Always a great video and always informative thanks Danny
When I moved to Dumont, NJ in 1957 we had four rails & still running steam. There was a guy in a tiny hut next to the crossing fixing bikes & manually operating the main crossing in town.
Mom used to take me to ride tri rail as a kid I always loved watching all the traffic pass through the station.
Ahhhh the days of the steel pipe when we were kids lol
3194 sure is a pretty thing, but I sure do love that 911 fire engine red unit.
Great video Danny. I learned something about the crossing signals that I didn't know.
Danny you did a great job explaining how Grade crossing work. I worked as a signal engineer for ConRail and then a private Engineering after ConRail demise. As you said then is a little bit more by great job anyway.
Great video on how railroad grade crossings work it was always fascinating to see the lights flash and the gates go down when ever a train goes by since I was a kid i was in amazement with it fantastic train fan content 👍👍
I knew about the basic set up but the other set ups described today. Well done expanding my rr knowledge!
Thank You Danny for another excellent video, keep them coming!
I've learned something new yet again! I'm going to look for those art messages on trains I see from now on too 🚂🚂
Wouldn't it be nice if all videos on RUclips were this well made? Great job guys.
FYI a little humor to go with the grade crossing story.Years ago we were driving pile along CSX Lines near Eastern Ave, N.E.for the DC Metro system, pile is driven to a "blow count" per foot, once blow count is reached the remaining pile is cut off. These cut offs were stacked across the rails to make it easier to choker cables around them so the crane could load the into trucks. CSX folks who were with us to inform us of train schedules ( you don't want to be driving a pile, which can take 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, when a train is approaching, you can't stop and they can't stop) informed us, after their supervisors informed them we had activated several gate crossings totally stopping traffic in the area. That is how I learned about the electrical contacts across rails.
Best notification of the day.
Thanks, Danny! I have been enjoying your work for years.
distant signals! Now that is my kind of Clickbait........
Terrifically well done and explained. A deep bow of appreciation. By all means, enjoyed this video immensely, as a first timer.
Was having withdrawals. Finally another DH Video to aatch. Lol
Great video, I'll be sharing this with several people who have wondered it. I remember many years ago, I saw a group of kids walking down a track and as they stood on the rails and held hands, they set off the nearby grade crossing (this was on the SCL at Olustee, Florida). I was in a NRHS chapter with Crick Hatch for several years. He was, shall we say, an acquired taste...
Wow! Never heard of that one. So were these kids barefoot? Yes, Crick was a different sort. That's what I liked about him.
Thank you for this video, Danny! This was a very informative video! I learned a great deal from it.
Nice Video Danny! Cant wait sit to see you at Railwatch
That certainly was enjoyable Danny. You did a great job explaining these signal crossings 👍👍👍❤️
I just found your channel..and it was fascinating and very educational. I always wondered how those signals work. Looking forward to seeing more of your great videos!
I was always wondering how they worked. Nice job describing it.