6 Train stations in Texas FAQs

The rail division was established in December 2009 in response to a growing interest in rail transportation especially for the movement of goods and people.

The rail division implements therefore rail-related policies; performs infrastructure as well as operational analysis of these train stations in Texas. They also take care of rail project planning and monitors rails in abandonment. Read on as we answer some common questions on train stations in Texas.

Here are some train stations in Texas FAQs

There are some frequently asked questions as regards to train stations in Texas, on this page, we will answer some of them.

How long can a train block a railroad crossing?

States lack the authority to enforce time limits on how long a railroad company can block a crossing.

Who can impose a law regulating how long a train is allowed to block a railroad crossing?

The only legitimate authority to regulate blocked crossings is the federal government.

Multiple times in the past the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has been requested to begin the rulemaking process to determine effective measures to regulate blocked crossings. 

If a train is blocking a crossing, what should I do?

First of all, you have to be patient. Railroaders do not intentionally block crossings; unavoidable circumstances and rules to protect public safety sometimes necessitate that trains block intersections.

Common reasons for a blocked crossing are waiting on the arrival of another train to pass or waiting to enter a rail yard.

Occasionally, there are minor mechanical problems with locomotives or cars.

By federal law, railroad employees cannot work more than 12 hours per day, so there are instances when a crew has met those limits and are waiting for another crew to relieve them.

What is the difference between public and private crossings?

A public crossing is a location where railroad tracks intersect a roadway that is part of the general system of public streets and highways and is under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to the general travelling public.

A private crossing is one that is on a private roadway. It might connect to a part of the general system of public streets and highways but is not maintained by a public authority.

Usually, it is a crossing where the property on at least one side of the railroad tracks is private property.

Private crossings are usually intended for the exclusive use of the adjoining property owner and the property owner’s family, employees, residential, farm, recreation/ cultural, industrial or commercial activities.

The trains in my neighbourhood are constantly blowing their horns. Why do they have to do this when there are automatic signals at the crossing?

Locomotive engineers are required by federal law to blow their horns as the train approaches a public road or street.

The horn will be sounded from a point about a quarter of a mile from the crossing till the train enters the crossing.

The horn is part of the overall safety system used at all crossings to alert highway users of the approach of the train.

Keep in mind that environmental conditions such as fog, wind, snow and rain, as well as a curved track or noisy vehicle traffic near the crossing, can make it more difficult to hear the horn.

The noise inside vehicles such as radios or passengers will also affect one’s ability to hear a horn, so these factors should be minimized when approaching a crossing.

Can I take a train from Texas to Colorado?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Dallas, Texas to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Therefore it is possible to take a train from Texas to Colorado.

Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability.

Do you have some questions about train stations in Texas? Let us know in the comment session.

Was This Article Helpful? Tell Us What You Think.