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Apollo
August 9, 2012, 8:46am Report to Moderator Report to Moderator

Forewarned is Forearmed
Secret
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While it's a bit sad to record the end of the open level crossing over rail tracks, it is also something that the behaviour of some has proven to be necessary due to the consequences.
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All railway level crossings in Scotland are to get safety barriers, Network Rail have confirmed.

It follows the successful completion of a pilot scheme testing new mini barriers at a level crossing in Ardrossan in Ayrshire.

The first places to get them are all in the Highlands. They are Corpach, Brora, Kirkton and Dalchalm.

There are 23 open level crossings in Scotland, most of them in the Highlands.

Network Rail also said that a half-length barrier would be put in place at Halkirk in Caithness.

It was the scene of a crash between a car and a train that killed three elderly members of the same family in September 2009.

Network rail is to spend £4m on upgrading the crossings and expects to have completed the improvements by 2014.

The new barriers can be installed for about £100,000 a crossing, compared to an average of more than £500,000 under the old system.

Network Rail to upgrade open Scottish level crossings

I wonder if any rail enthusiasts looking in might know if there exists any private or closed lines that have open crossings, where such a thing might be seen, if not actually used by the public?

I'm assuming if such a thing did remain in such a place, then the only people/vehicles to cross the tracks would be those belonging to such an estate.
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JadeFalcon
August 9, 2012, 7:48pm Report to Moderator Report to Moderator

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Funnily enough I'm familiar with the Ardrossan crossing, it's part of the branch from Ardrossan South Beach station down to the Harbour.  For many years the crossing at Princes Street had full barriers but shortly after the line was electrified in the mid 80's there were a LOT of alterations in the lines.  Many of the sidings and secondary lines down the harbour were removed, and the gates were removed, not to be replaced by half barriers, but nothing at all.  There did use to be freight traffic in addition to the passenger service but with the removal of the extra lines it was down to an hourly EMU service, but still....

Especially with some of the idiotic drivers we have nowadays.
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Dugald
August 9, 2012, 9:18pm Report to Moderator Report to Moderator

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You know, I spent a lot of time in Scotland back in the hay days of railways I don't recall a solitary level-crossing in Scotland. They must have been found in the Highlands as I can't think of one anywhere near Glasgow and most of my time was spent in and around the city. I remember a bit of a level-crossing in Campbeltown (it wasn't very level!) and it was not really what we'd call a  'level-crossing'.

Oh yes, in more recent years I became very familiar with the horrible mixture of crisscrossing rails through the harbour at Ardrossan. I also recall one at Bonnarbridge up north, but I'm a wee bit vague about this one. Anyway, level-crossings have always been a bit of a nightmare for cyclists.

Incidentally, Ontario is full of level-crossings and I even have two leading to my house on the only two approach roads .
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JadeFalcon
August 10, 2012, 4:30am Report to Moderator Report to Moderator

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In Ayrshire I can name a few.  Gailes, where Gailes station used to be there is a level crossing.  Theres one in Ardrossan, one in Belmont in Ayr on the Ayr-Stranraer line, one in Gatehead on the Barassie to Kilmarnock line.

Ardrossan didn't help because originally it was a stop for both the Caledonian railway and the Glasgow and South Western.  The Caley side was nearer where Shell was and the stations shut early on.  The lines lifted in the 60s but a small spur remained for Shell that linked to the other line.
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The Fox
August 10, 2012, 4:55am Report to Moderator Report to Moderator

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There are several on the line between Dumbarton and Helensburgh.   The major ones with gates/barriers but I assume that the ones on lanes providing access for farmers will only have farm gates each side of the track.
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