Total Accidents: 14 (11/2/1982, 9/7/1983, 6/21/1985, 8/20/1985, 11/30/1988, 5/25/1990, 5/6/1991, 2/11/1994, 11/9/1995, 4/6/1999, 9/17/1999, 6/14/2000, 7/12/2000, 11/30/2000) |
Page written by WEHRAR17.
1
800x600 |
2
800x600 |
3
800x600 |
4
800x600 |
A wide view looking south as we drove by in the car on US 14. |
The signals in action for an inbound Metra train as it stops at the Mt. Prosepct station. The pictures are looking north. In picture 3 you can see that the southbound road gate has a delay going down. |
||
These pictures were taken when we visited northern Illinois for the weekend for a wedding in the family.
This crossing is on the Metra/UP "Northwest" line, which parallels the Northwest Highway (US Highway 14) for much of its length in the greater Chicago area. The line eventually continues into southern Wisconsin.
On the north (southbound) side, the crossing has a large cantilever with a double-wide mast and 5 pairs of 12" x 24" lights. The northbound signal is a mast signal with 12" x 20" main lights and 2 pairs of 12" x 24" sidelights. All lights are LED. There are five gates in total, including sidewalk gates, and a WCH electronic bell on the mast signal. There are also at least three "NO TURN" signals for the intersection with Prospect Avenue that light up with the crossing signals.
The FRA has a lot of things about this crossing wrong. For example, it says that the UP is the only user of this line, and does not mention Metra. In consequence it also says that the daily passenger train count is zero, when in fact Metra passenger trains make up the majority of the 70 daily trains. The report also fails to mention the cantilever.
There is a little confusion about the name of the street. The street signs say Main St., but Google Maps has that name alternating with Elmhurst Rd., and the FRA calls it Elmhurst Rd. as well. The only thing known for sure is that it is also Illinois State Highway 83.
5
800x600 |
6
800x600 |
7
800x600 |
8
800x600 |
Some people waiting at the sidewalk gate on the opposite side of the street. |
The train begins to move again. The gate on this signal is quite long. |
Video stills of the rear of the mast signal as it activated for another Metra train. |
|
9
800x600 |
Video still of the rear side of the cantilever and the opposite side pedestrian gate. |
Picture 1 was taken on July 14, 2007. All other pictures and the audio file were taken on July 15, 2007.
This crossing is in a quiet zone. Trains do not sound their horns at the crossing.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE CROSSING IN ACTION.
1 A PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED.
2 THE DRIVER WAS KILLED. $5,000 IN DAMAGES.
3 A PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED.
4 A PEDESTRIAN WAS INJURED.
5 A PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED.
6 THE DRIVER, A 75 YEAR OLD MALE WENT AROUND THE GATES AND WAS KILLED. $12,000 IN DAMGES.
7 THE DRIVER AND A PEDESTRIAN WERE INJURED WHEN THE DRIVER WENT AROUND THE GATES. $10,000 IN DAMAGES. AFTER THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE TRAIN, THE VEHICLE THEN STRUCK THE PEDESTRIAN.
8 THE DRIVER, A 75 YEAR OLD FEMALE WENT AROUND THE GATES AND WAS INJURED. $9,000 IN DAMAGES.
9 THE DRIVER, A 51 YEAR OLD FEMALE WENT AROUND THE GATES AND WAS KILLED. $25,000 IN DAMAGES.