Railroad crossings

Well I have nothing to do as I sit here waiting for Donners Pass to reopen, so I've been searching for ANY federal law forbidding shifting while crossing the RR tracks. I can find nothing.
Certainly FMCSA should be the rule here and it does not forbid it except for Hazmat loads.
In addition, I've searched California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho and cannot find any law forbidding shifting while crossing tracks EXCEPT Hazmat.
Now I know most states will fail you on your CDL exam for this, but that isn't a state law.
As a matter of course, it is safer NOT to shift while crossing tracks. I don't shift, if for no other reason, I've hauled so many hazmat loads, it's second nature.
Now I know some people have posted this thread saying it's the law, but I challenge anyone to cite that law so we can check it out for ourselves.

 

Thank you,

eventually what I found out also.......

I agree, it's hazmat/tankers/ or passengers.

Just another truckers myth, repeated so many times, that it seems to be law !!!

And I agree, this isn't when taking a road test.

Actually, they want you to cross as safetly, and as Fast as is allowed.............

 

And if you don't have to stop then you probably don't have to shift.

 

You still need to slow down...........

And alot of them do have stop signs !!!!!

 

Page 44 indiana CDL test booklet,

Railroad Crossings
Vehicles carrying passengers and vehicles placarded as containing Hazardous Material must stop (within 15 to 50 feet), look and listen. No driver shall change gears while crossing tracks.

The above is word for word out of the manual, although it does not cite the FMCSA rules that others here have so nicely provided us.

 

The following is posted on the FMCSA web site:


2.15.5 – Crossing the Tracks
Railroad crossings with steep approaches can cause your unit to hang up on the tracks.
Never permit traffic conditions to trap you in a position where you have to stop on the tracks. Be
sure you can get all the way across the tracks before you start across. It takes a typical tractortrailer unit at least 14 seconds to clear a single track and more than 15 seconds to clear a double
track.

Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks

 

Are you sure that its not***This vehicle stops at all uncontrolled RR crossings?*** I haul Gas & Diesel and thats what is says on our trailers. And it is also the hazmat rule.

 

The DOT, when testing drivers, will fail you if you shift when going over a railroad track. Also, on the written test you will be asked this question.

There is always a danger when shifting that you will not be able to get into a gear or will miss a gear, especially if you are in the low range and
you are rolling at 10 mph, or less. You might have to stop on the tracks and start out in low gear....

This is more true of newer drivers than others, but the theory is that it is safest to stay in gear and be assured of getting across the tracks rather than having to coast across if you miss a gear and can't grab a gear.

Having said that, there is a RR track that goes by our grain terminal and I have to cross it twice when I leave the plant, and on the driveway crossing to our plant I cross it in 4th or 5th and do not shift on the crossing because it is a double crossing that is rough and I do not need to go faster than 5th gear out of the lot.

But on the county blacktop, I will be in 6th gear by the time my cab hits the crossing and as I run out of rpms will upshift to 7th just about the time the trailer has crossed the tracks, so the crossing doesn't slow me down as I am upshifting. On the way back, I am loaded and idle across the track in 7th gear after which I downshift to 5th or 4th for the turn off the black top.

 

Passenger CMV's and Hazmat loads are required by law to stop before all railroad tracks. All other Class A CMV's do not have to stop within the guidelines unless there are crossing signs requiring you to stop. These are specified rules, but I wouldn't exactly call them laws. Reason I say this is because the rule book is a bit too vague on this topic but as far as getting a citation... a hazmat or passenger that doesn't stop will likely get pulled over and ticketed, a regular CMV would likely NOT get pulled over...BUT...if you were to get stuck in the middle of railroad tracks which happens to cause an accident and there is any proof that the reason you were there was because you either didn't stop before the tracks and make sure the path for entire load was clear or because you stalled while shifting gears...then you can make sure that you will receive a hefty citation and with the severity of the situation maybe even go to jail. So it is basically a "law" that would only be enforceable in specific situations. That being said...if you do shift gears, who's gonna know. Just don't be a ####### about it either.