Joe Magruder Wrote:
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> Technical question: I have seen grade crossings
> where there is a steel or pavement slope at the
> edge of the crossing from the ties up to the
> roadway. I assume this is to reduce the chance
> that an object hit on the track before the
> crossing and pushed in front of the train would
> get caught at the crossing. Does this work? Does
> this only work when the object is not large enough
> to derail the train?

In theory, it would sort of help. The primary reason is that dragging equipment will not catch the edge of the crossing plank/panel and pull it up. Also hopefully won't rip the brake pipe out from a long hanging air hose. Also seems to bounce a derailed wheel over the crossing in some cases.

IIRC - The vehicle at Oxnard wasn't just a pickup, it was something a little bigger. If something gets under the pilot, the leading engine/cab car is in trouble as it is likely not to stay on the rail.