Access to the C&O Canal Towpath (and the route of the Appalachian Trail, which uses the towpath for a couple of miles) at Weverton, MD (about 2.5 miles east of Harper's Ferry) involves the use of an ungated grade crossing. Last weekend, when I took a hike from Weverton to Harper's Ferry, we came up on a parked train sitting on the tracks, the end starting about a mile west of Weverton. (The towpath parallels the tracks in that stretch, in addition to scenic hiking, it's great for train watching.) As we hiked on, I was worried that maybe the train would be blocking the tracks at the crossing in Weverton, with no indication of how long the train would be parked. As it happened, there was no problem, the locomotive was parked just before the crossing waiting for something. As we were getting into our car, a train came from the opposite direction and stopped short of the crossing in a sort of meetup, and the crew got out and were exchanging some words. Then both trains started upand went on their ways.
Is there any sort of railroad policy about if or how long they leave a parked train in a position to block grade crossings? Are there any laws covering such occurrences? I'd hate to think that I'd have to camp out overnight with my car just sitting there on the other side of the train. Of course, I wouldn't even want to think of trying to crawl under the cars to cross the track. There are far easier ways to kill yourself.
Is there any sort of railroad policy about if or how long they leave a parked train in a position to block grade crossings? Are there any laws covering such occurrences? I'd hate to think that I'd have to camp out overnight with my car just sitting there on the other side of the train. Of course, I wouldn't even want to think of trying to crawl under the cars to cross the track. There are far easier ways to kill yourself.
