Duff Avenue gets new 4-quad gate system! (Ames, IA)

New crossing system just put into service by the UPRR yesterday. Aurora gate lights, dotted LED light-heads, & 4-WCH Type 2 E-bells. Only thing that bugs me is no rear-facing lights on any of the signals. Oh yeah, and the damned automated horns also. (This was taken on my LG-Env cell phone, so the quality of the video and audio isn't the best... however I was on lunch break today and saw a train rapidly approaching and just couldn't pass on the opportunity to get this crossing in action. Once the weather clears... and the UPRR signal crew isn't still around working on the signals, I'll get this crossing with my regular camera and get some better video. They seemed to look a bit perplexed as to what I was doing standing there today anyway! LOL)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• duff
• avenue
• railroad
• crossing
• ames
• iowa
• UPRR
• quad
• gates
• dotted
• LED
• lights

[miketlow]

I really hate how railfans can not peacefully enjoy a day of watching trains in this day and age without some one looking at them crazy...

[sirkrunch]

Unless you're in the city of Boone, that seems to be the case around here. I love how Boone put park benches to sit on at both sides of the Story Street crossing. One more than one occasion I've seen other railfans like myself enjoying a nice day just sitting there with a picnic lunch or drink and sometimes a camera... just watching the trains passing through town and enjoying the sights and sounds.

[sirkrunch]

Oh yeah, the train does sound its horn immediately after going through the crossing... but that's because the automated horn at the Kellogg crossing was also being worked on by UPRR crews. (I counted 5 UPRR vans total between the two crossings.)

[sirkrunch]

Before too many people say it...

1. Yes, the e-horn sounds like crap... that's my cell phone's fault.

2. No, the light heads do not strobe... again blame my cell-phone

3. I didn't get closer because the UPRR signal crew there already was a bit suspicious of what I was doing and I kept my distance.

4. Look how icy it is... I about lost my balance and fell at the point you see the camera shake.

5. IT'S COLD! Otherwise I might have stuck around and taken another vid from the other side.

[Andrewsaxamophone]

that's one shitty wayside horn.

[NVergilio]

I HATE that Wayside horn!

[bnsf4]

This looks like DeKalb, not Ames.

[insaneman3000]

The Video & Sound Quality Sucks Ass!

[theup3985]

There are sensors built into the surface of the crossing, operating on the same principal as a traffic signal sensor, that detects the presence of vehicles on the crossing when the system is activated. If a vehicle is detected on the crossing as the signals are activating, the exit gates will be delayed, or if they are in the process of lowering, will raise to allow the vehicle time to escape. Additionally, the gates are designed to either break off or swivel upon impact from a vehicle.

[flexspinner]

nice sp unit

[stehenallein]

Save your money! Save your money!

[st112570]

That commercial was weird.

[st112570]

Oh my god I HATE THAT. D:

My friend and I travel to a crossing near his house almost daily, and people just sit in thier cars and stare. It's creepy sometimes. .____.

[stehenallein]

Lionel coin bank! lionel coin bank!