Malfunctioning Crossing Gates in Sunnyvale, CA

[amesbury555]

Nice 3m traffic lights!!

[benny7690]

Do Not come to Sunnyvale. We now have the highest crime rate in the San Francisco bay area. Im moving out as soon as I can.

[poiiihy]

i think its a train going really slow and the button pressed and not pressed and pressed...

[poiiihy]

uh, i think i bike there. i live in sunnyvale.

[noahwolfy18]

well there is a detour- you can tell by the cones, and the police car, so they were probably aware of the problem*

[mommabeardee]

why  is this railroad crossing broke with the lights and bells

[Megahammerheadshark]

Two caltrains! Nice!

[booblla]

Well technically it was working properly by lowering the gates (and keeping them down) when a train went through... the system just got bored in between!

[DjPyro2010]

I'd be laughing if I saw this in real life

[msk578]

Well at least they stayed down when there really was a train! I'm sure this also messed with the traffic signals big time too.

[SUNSBEATLA13]

Is the singals in the far front 3m singles or just the back

[cooldude2251]

this strangly amuses me

[firenut101]

I feel bad for the cop that sat there all day redirecting traffic.

[FAMOUSSTARRIGHTHERE]

thats happened to us in anaheim too

[trainz675]

thats what our main road, right to the emergency room to the hospital was going down for 6 hours today, its one busy ass road too!

[Deodorantist]

Und jetzt?

[38yofrmut]

I've seen this happen before & I called the grade crossing hotline # located on the side of the powerbox to report this

[DJUnibob]

Very interesting. Sounds like a sensor further down the line had a short. I don't know the area, but if the train was crawling so to speak, chances are the engineers had a heads up and were given a "stop and flag/protect" order for the crossing. I myself would have called either the number on the gate or local law enforcement reporting the malfunction.

Side note. I miss the beautiful sound of the Western-Cullen-Hayes mechanical bells.

[robertgift]

@DJUnibob No need to STOP/FLAG when the siganls are operating.

Did Sheppy call the railroad and report the malfunction?

I would have walked the tracking looking for something causing a short.

Oh. A train is approaching. Maybe a signal system issue.

[DJUnibob]

@robertgift You're right on the stop and flag/protect, I did a bit of research on it and as long as they are operating, there is no need.

Given that they kept falsely activating, it sounds like an issue with the island circuit or a sensor, though I am thinking island circuit. When I made the earlier comment, I didn't think of the fact that the train may be coming off of a siding or out of a yard where CTC restrictions are in effect, where rail speeds are usually "restricting" (15 mph usually)

[robertgift]

@DJUnibob First I would have checked the island.

Hopefully it wasn't coming out of a yard. They would haveverything adjusted/compensated for that.

Just now noticed that a police officer was there, so this was an unusual problem.

[chris40539]

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MUSIC THE WAY THE BELL ARE ALL RINGING

[myrealghostbusters]

my brother and i jokingly call these "ghost trains".

[Comments2010]

HOW does this happen anyway?!

[LyokoTravels]

It's a bunch of Invisible Trains running on Caltrain that day LOLXD JK JK

[StarFighters76]

Up, down, up, down, what is this, some kind of sex thing O_o

Still, it's unusually fascinating to watch this.

[Maxqstl]

well i would tell you that is a no no in st louis Mo

[rpmangin]

However, the signal should allow green lights for through traffic on Evelyn Ave, as well as for traffic turning left onto Southbound Mary Ave (away from the tracks). It should also allow a green arrow for Northbound Mary Ave traffic turning left onto Evelyn Ave (and of course, right turns are inconsequential because Northbound Mary Ave traffic can still make a right turn on red).

[rpmangin]

To continue with my previous comment, since all four streets have protected left turn signal heads, more than likely, the signal operates on limited sequence, which means the light stays red for the traffic crossing the tracks before the intersection, for traffic turning left over the tracks, and for through traffic on the cross street opposite the tracks.

[TheTrueAmazingDave]

@rpmangin That is how the train gates here in San Jose appear to operatre; we neighbor Sunnyvale and we're both in Santa Clara County.

As an aside, I remember when this happened, and the video makes me chuckle.

[rpmangin]

I wonder if the traffic signals themselves are set to blink red in all directions if the railroad crossing gates malfunction long enough. That's the way it should be.

[Nathanrailfan]

@rpmangin You're thinking about railroad preempt. Those only happen in railroad street running when the train shares the road with cars. Most signals just turn red on all sides and that's it.

[rpmangin]

@Nathanrailfan I thought that usually only happens if the track actually crosses the middle of the intersection. In some cases, if the signal does not have protected turn phases on all sides, it will FLASH red in all directions, turning the intersection into a four way stop, or if the street running parallel to the tracks has a high enough traffic volume relative to the cross street, it will flash yellow for the parallel street and red for the cross street.

[TheTrueAmazingDave]

@rpmangin Often times, the signals flash red regardless if the gates malfunction or not, they operate in parallel. The first crossing that comes to mind is the Race st and Parkmoor intersection.

[TheTrueAmazingDave]

@rpmangin That is also typical behaviour on the new or renovated rail crossings around here, whether the gates malfunction or not. The first intersection that comes to mind is the Race St. and Parkmoor intersection here in San Jose.

[IceRoadTrucker1000]

it seemed like they werre testing them at first cause they went up so fast.

[gatewayeast1609]

Those rail crossing signals are not just malfunctioning, it's like they're possessed.

[sandytremps]

I see a police car on the other side of the crossing.

[Erich64x2]

It was great when there was actually a train.

[idiotman76]

Nice Cal train MP36:-)

[bullrunlover]

did they stop after the train went through?

[ekoslosky]

@mommabeardee That was awesome, hes not gonna delete it.

[robertgift]

Move a little so that we can gain perspective through different views.

Excellent commentary! I would have been excited, too!

Good of you to take your son there.

Police block the crossing rather than lift gates and help traffic through?

Or were the signals activating nearly non stop?

Anyone look at the track to see if anything was shunting the rails?

[youlldietrying]

And remember: The Toot, toot, toot, doesn't mean a hoot, its the chugga chugga chugga that-a-makes it go!

[fuzzywzhe]

Apparently, there's some dickhead in the area the intentionally rewires signals. It's been going on for years.

This is Silcon Valley after all, half the population can do it, but the majority of us grew up a long time ago. Too bad we all didn't. It just costs taxpayer money.

[decline2state]

Are there any houses nearby? I would have to think that the residents would have quickly gotten annoyed by all the unnecessary noise.

[Taipei127]

I bet the trains went slowly through the crossing because the cops probably communicated to Caltrain and Caltrain must have radioed the engineers to drive the trains slowly through the gate. When I was a kid I had a predilection for those railroad crossing barriers and I love trains!

[decline2state]

I believe that if the police or other authorities inform the railroad of a malfunctioning gate a conductor is supposed to get off the train and walk ahead of it through the intersection, flagging traffic to make sure it stops. I would have preferred to see that here. However, that might be required only if the signals fail to activate at all.

[DRfermasMs]

lol gets kinda funny after awhile

[miked9372]

someone called the cops

[ryanhagfors]

Looks like the work of pranksters...doesn't take much to set off railroad crossings....all you have to do is take a wire or jumper cables and touch each end to each track within a quarter mile of the crossing....

[JoebDragon]

I don't think it is that easy

[ryanhagfors]

I'm not going to admit to any illegal acts on here lol, but believe me, it is that easy

[cody12345249]

i take it youve done it before...?

[ryanhagfors]

Well, I do have video on my camcorder of it getting done many times

[109herrera]

3:44 the baby says again lookie

[cali22boi]

How many left turn signals do you need on the mast-arms in Sunnyvale???

[OfficerNelson]

California goes one signal per lane at a minimum in urban areas. Two turn lanes = two turn signals.

[cali22boi]

Around SoCal where Im from, the norm is ONE Left Arrow sig on the mast arm followed by another left arrow sig on the far left corner of the intersection facing which also faces the driver. Again its just OVERKILL. Im all for making sure that there are lights visible to direct you, but thats just a waste of money. Ive seen TOO MANY times in SoCal 2 left turn lanes w/ ONE left arrow sig on a mast arm controlling the lanes. Its just a waste of money. I bet maint. is hell out there for city workers

[TrainsforGTA]

LOL the kids just waiting he's like...here comes the twain' mommy! Aww up again. Pretty cute

[Cchrisbud813]

I've seen something similar--a slow-moving train can confuse the sensor if it slows down, causing the gates to come back up after activation and go down again, even if everything is working fine. However, I don't think that would make the gates do that repeatedly like they do here. It seems likely that this is a malfunction.

[LuxeXx]

When I was a kid I loved crossing gates too. More then the trains even. If I would see one in action it would make my day. Knowing your kid is a fan too makes me feel comfortable to talk about it.

[gregrocks66]

@LuxeXx I still like the crossing gates more then the train and I'm turning 21. Nothing wrong with the crossing gates, I love the bells, they are the best part

[magenta3101]

@LuxeXx im the EXACT same. I love watching trains at crossings.

[EagleTalonZ]

lmao that would SUCK! It's the railroad that cried "train" Someone will get hurt cuz they won't believe a train is really coming. Hmmm... if you don't die that could be some serious lawsuit money. Smart idea for the cops to show up...

[XxItachi4ever19xX]

Hey!I live in Sunnyvale XD!!!!!!!!!!!and yes the trains are ANOYING

[mustange550]

There must be some type of Activiation device that the trains hits or goes through that keeps the gates down when a train passes through. Considering it was malfunctioning.

[xxdamonxx77]

Well at least the signals were right on 2 occasions and when they needed to.

[Stevienickssss]

it is kind of funny

[ellieysama]

lol speed it up and the process looks kind of funny XD but that would be so annoying to live right next to that loud racket, worst if it malfunctions XD

[odibjo]

Earlier I loved this sound, now I hate it

[idiotman76]

that musta pissed ppl off

[treytrey2946]

dang that's annoying

[Alizara75]

The narration makes the video. So cute!

[wfd57fatman]

I remember this, I just detoured up Central a little to avoid the area and hassle. What a mess! Rengstorff Ave in Mountain View had a similar problem a few years back. These gates get used a lot in our area so they crap out every once in a while. Judging from all the track fatalities we get around here (children on bikes, street people, etc.) there really needs to be a better and safer rail system!

[an80sGuy]

"there really needs to be a better and safer rail system!"

You said it. Those trains run about every 5 min. each direction during rush hour. If that doesn't qualify for grade separation at major 4 lane streets like Rengstorff and Mary, I don't know what does. I've had to wait for up to four trains to pass before I could cross.

[russelD9]

whel at least the polec was there to gider people and to save them from getting heart

[NBAisman]

I wish my daddy took me to see a train when I was that boy's age, but everybody in my family hates trains. I love trains!

[gregrocks66]

@NBAisman I'm with u there

[Porow501]

You've got nice video's. Nice job man.

[mhwrd]

LOL..I'm happy that I moved there after this. That would really get on my nerves.

[RubenKaboom]

LOVE THE BABY "Up again" lol :D

THE Cop bust be like

;_;

[LitaFan03]

Looks like the crossing gates are sick.

[NBAisman]

THe problem with malfunctions is that if it happens a lot people attend to not believe in the lights, gates and bells. They get used to driving around the gates and maybe into the path of a train if present.

[Robotman2268]

Really needs some fixing

[NathanlikeCN]

Damn, never seen gates go up that fast!

[SheppyNuts]

Not sure what you mean, but I'd love to know what caused it. I drove through the intersection a couple hours before the crossing gates went nuts and just the traffic lights were out first...all blinking red. Then the crossing gates joined the traffic lights in solidarity, I guess ;-)

[nathanlovesCPRail]

Well, only you know what you saw. so i'm not saying you are a liar. Several causes, false activation, broken circuit(s), batteries dying, something spilled on the track or circuits, vandals, MoW equipment, the relay predictor messing up and timing out to quickly. I cant give you a straight answer because I wasn't there, but when malfunctions do happen the ones listed above are the common reasons.

[SheppyNuts]

Sounds like a great mystery. BTW, my son told me the crossing gates needed new batteries since his toys go on by themselves when the batteries are dying...I'll tell him it's a possibility...lol. Thanks!

[Porow501]

That's funny.

[gailgrove]

@SheppyNuts They don`t have batteries.

[LARDLOGO]

@gailgrove They DO have car batteries for power outages/backups

[bullrunlover]

@SheppyNuts well i bet the curcuits fried in both of them

[quickman55]

What cause those the crossings 2 malfunction?

[UP1340]

Search up Malfunction Wyandotte MI

[BellyLover06]

It's almost like the signals know the boy in the vid liked then and decided to "perform". Guess Crossing Gates literally have their ups and downs, lol.

[SheppyNuts]

And perform they did!

[Romexmagi69]

The gas station workers must've been going nuts having to hear that dinging sound nonstop.

[Amtrakboy32]

wtf???!!!

[graysonator123]

maybe its trying to see which driver is gonna get out of the car and destroy it...

[NathansCP]

To do that, all they need to destroy is the relay case; that if they know what that is.

[Bellwestern80]

Yet, when the train crossed, looks like nothings wrong. Up an down. LOL

[nannyboss]

Ding dong... another day in Sunnyvale?

[xDiStUrBeDx320]

I live in Sunnyvale, Ca off of Wolfe Road and Iris

[stuwiitube]

hey i used to live there whats it like now

[xDiStUrBeDx320]

probably same as when u lived here

[NintendoGX159]

WEIRD!! between 3:19 and 3:23 like father, like son LOL!!

[Coverdillem]

thats pretty weird!

[tfoster09]

I'm assuming the police had the road blocked off so cars couldn't cross?? The railroad should have had a signal maintainer there right away!

[SheppyNuts]

The police had the road blocked but you'd be amazed how many people tried to drive through. The officer was not happy. The traffic lights were out as well.

[w0033944]

Weirdest malfunction I've ever seen!