How long can a train block a public roadway?

[Traildust]

Been caught by 2 trains in the last 7 days leaving work. One way in and one way out. First time was 27 minutes....second time was 42 minutes.

Its a public roadway, so I thought they couldn't block it for very long, especially since there is no way to get around it.

[TX_Hoghunter]

I thought it was 15 minutes. Call the mayor in the town and raise hell.

-john

[TXHUNT3R]

42 mins is just awful, can't be legal.

[scotth89]

20 minutes. Really nothing you can do about it, trust me if we can avoid blocking crossings we do.

[AgHntr10]

42 minutes is crazy, what if you needed to get to a hospital?

[johnpaul]

If I'm stuck behind a train for more than 10 minutes I start having panic attacks. 42 minutes and I don't want to know what I'd do haha

[cvanbrunt]

i found this on a google search.

The trains in my neighborhood block the crossing for long periods of time. Is there a time limit on how long they can block the crossing?
The state's railroad anti-blocking statute (Section 471.007 of the Transportation Code imposed a penalty against a railway company if its train blocked a crossing for more than ten minutes) was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001. A copy of the Texas Attorney General's opinion from June 2005 can be found online.

Because the federal courts have ruled that federal laws preempt the state's anti-blocking statute, TxDOT does not have any statutory or regulatory authority to compel a railroad train to unblock a crossing.

From this TxDot site.

http://www.txdot.gov/driver/share-ro...ction-faq.html

[DirtyMullet]

You don't have beef with Christie do you?!?

[Bowhunter4l1fe]

You don't have beef with Christie do you?!?

[Traildust]

You don't have beef with Christie do you?!?

Not sure who that is, but being stuck with about 100 other cars trying to get home after a 10 hr work day is BS...then add another 1:10 drive home

Couple folks that work out here have said they have waited 1:30 before on the weekend. Cant believe this is not regulated???

I'll be done here by Sept.....so I will scratch this place off my list for sure!

[kumathebear]

CRESSON, TX...........happens all too often on 377

[HighCountry]

Try blocking the tracks and let them be late and see what happens.

[JW]

As long as he sits there.

[Patton]

Wow... I'd be holding my steering wheel and doing the whole freak out scream jumpin around maneuver.

[nursejenn]

20 minutes. Really nothing you can do about it, trust me if we can avoid blocking crossings we do.

You must NEVER be on the crossing near where I live. It's blocked for 30 minutes or more several times a week... And there's no way around it for us... But, when unloading, and pulling forward and back several times, how hard is it really to go the extra 15 feet and let the line of cars that's been sitting there for 15 minutes go through real quick... Yeah that happens and there's nothing we can do about it. I just pray it never happens when there's an emergency!