GSR Rule Book - 1933

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

99. Unless special authority be given to the contrary, the gates at level crossings must be kept closed across the roadway, except when required to be opened to allow the line to be crossed.

100. When it is necessary for the line to be crossed at a place which is not a block post, the Crossing Keeper, before opening the gates, must satisfy himself that no approaching train is near; he must then place his fixed signals, where provided, at Caution or Danger, as the case may be, and must not again lower them until the line is clear and the gates are closed across the roadway.

101. Where the gates on both sides of the line do not open simultaneouly, the gate towards chich the road traffic is approaching must not be opened until the opposite gate has been first opened. When, however, the road traffic is approaching on both sides of the crossing, the Crossing Keeper must use his discretion as to which gate should be first opened.

102. (a) Lamps on level crossing gates must, when lighted, show a red light in each direction along the line when the gates are closed across it. The lamps must be lighted as soon as it commences to be dusk, and during fog or falling snow.

(b) On lines which are closed during the night, the lamps must be extinguished before the employee attending to the gates leaves duty, unless instructions are issued to the contrary or long burning lamps are provided. The lamps must, if necessary, be re-lighted for the passage of any train that may be run before daylight. When the line remains open during the night the lamps must not be extinguished until daylight.

103. Where hand or wicket gates are controlled from a signal box, the Signalman must operate the controlling arrangement when necessary to prevent persons crossing the line.

104. A Crossing Keeper must not, except as provided in Rule 197, clause (f), give any hand signal to the Driver of an apporaching train if the line is clear. If, however, owing to an emergency, it is necessary to stop a train he must, unless he has means of advising the Signalman, place his fixed signals, where provided, to Cuation or Danger, as the case may be, put down 3 detonators 10 yards apart, on the line or lines affected as far away as is necessary to ensure any train being brought to a stand clear of any obstruction, and exhibit a hand Danger signal. At level crossings where it is possible to communicate with the Signalman he must be informed of the circumstances, and, if necessary, the foregoing provisions must also be carried out.

105. At level crossings which are not block posts, the fixed signals, where provided, must only be used for the protection of the crossing, or as prescribed in Rule 104.

106. The Crossing Keeper must satisfy himself that fixed signals, where provided, work properly. He must immediately report any defect in the signals, gates or other equipment to the Ganger, Lineman or other person in charge of repairs, and the matter must also be reported to the nearest Station Master.

107. (a) Unless special authority be given to the contrary, traction or other heavy engines, heavy vehicles or heavily-loaded vehicles, whether mechanically propelled or otherwise, or droves of animaals, must not be allowed to cross the line when any train can be seen, or is known to be, approaching the crossing.

(b) Station Masters must, as far as practicable, request users of traction or other heavy engines in their neighbourhood to give reasonable notice to the nearest Station Master on each occasion of their intention to pass such engines over the line at a public level crossing not provided with fixed signals.

Station Masters must also request users of traction or other heavy engines, or heavy vehicles, whether mechanically propelled or otherwise, to give reasonable notice to the nearest Station Master on each occasion of their intention to pass such engines of vehicles over the line at an occupation level crossing.

(c) On receipt of the intimation referred to in clause (b), the Station Master must, except as otherwise provided in clause (d), arrange for a man with hand signals and detonators to be sent out at least ¾ mile from the level crossing in each direction, or to the nearest signal box if it is situated within that distance, to secure the safety of trains during the passage of the traction or other heavy engines, &c., across the line. If necessary the services of Platlayers must be obtained for this purpose.

The same precautions must be taken by Station Masters in the case of other engines or vehicles should thry be advised by the user that any such engine or vehicle is liable to be held up and so obstruct the line.

(d) Where telephonic communciation is provided between the level crossing and the signal baox, it will not be necessary to send out men as directed in clause (c), but the Crossing Keeper must communicate with the Signalman and obtain his permission for the traction or other heavy engine, &c., to cross the line. The Signalman must not give such permission after he has lowered his signals for, or has allowed, a train to proceed towards the crossing, nor when a train has been signalled to him from the box on the other side of the crossing, until he is satisfied that such train or trains have passed the crossing. After the Signalman has given permission for a traction or other heavy engine, &c., to cross the line he must not allow a train to proceed towards the crossing or give permission for a train to approach from the box on the other side of the crossing until he has ascertained from the Crossing Keeper that the traction or other heavy engine, &c., has passed over the line.

(e) In the event of any person after being advised in accordance with clause (b) crossing the line with a traction or other heavy engine at a public level crossing not provided with fixed signals, or with traction or other heavy eninges, or heavy vehicles, whether mechanically propelled or otherwise, at an occupation leval crossing, without giving notice to the nearest Station Master, the matter must be promptly reported to the Traffic Manager, with the name and address of such person.