Kind of off topic, but the article includes this: "In February 2005, Victoria Doyle, 38, of Johnstown, was killed driving over the tracks in Fonda. Officials said Doyle died that day because a train engineer hit the wrong button and raised the warning gates that prevent motorists from crossing over the tracks when a train is coming."
I have a picture of the engineer in the moving train pushing the button. It seems that overriding the automatic gates should only be possible from the ground, though, kind of like how someone climbs down with a flag at every crossing where the gates are broken.
Anyone know more about how this works?
Off topic, but I live an few miles away....
Three track go thur Fonda at that point, Only one bridge over tracks, two grade crossing. Two main lines, One yard lead.
Train was going to be parking on the yard lead, but had set off the grade crossing. (common) Crew member got down and opened up control box for grade crossing gates. Three tracks, Three switchs. Turn off the grade crossing gates for the track he was parked on, but nothing happen. So he turn off all three switchs, gates when up. Car drove thur open gates on to the crossing and got hit by another CSX train. CSX payed out an bit of cash for that mistake.