Railroad Crossings and Mountain Driving Cheat Sheet - Quick Reference Guide
Quick reference for exam-critical information from Sections 2.15-2.16: railroad crossing types, stopping requirements, mountain driving, and the snub braking technique.
Railroad Crossing Types
| Type | Features | Your Action |
|---|---|---|
| Passive | No devices, only signs | YOU decide to stop/proceed |
| Active | Flashing lights, bells, gates | Stop when activated |
Railroad Warning Signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Round black-on-yellow | Advance warning—slow down, look, listen |
| X with "RR" on pavement | Crossing ahead, no passing |
| Cross-buck (X-shaped) | Yield right-of-way to trains |
| Number below cross-buck | Number of tracks |
Stopping Distance at Tracks
| Requirement | Distance |
|---|---|
| Minimum from nearest rail | 15 feet |
| Maximum from nearest rail | 50 feet |
Track Clearing Times (MEMORIZE)
| Track Type | Time to Clear |
|---|---|
| Single track | 14+ seconds |
| Double track | 15+ seconds |
Railroad Crossing Rules
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Stop 15-50 feet from tracks | Race a train |
| Look both directions | Trust signals completely |
| Check for second train | Shift gears on tracks |
| Turn on 4-way flashers | Stop ON the tracks |
| Ensure you can clear completely | Assume you'll hear train |
Vehicles at Risk on Tracks
Low-clearance units that can get stuck:
- Lowboy trailers
- Car carriers
- Moving vans
- Possum-belly livestock trailers
- Long trailers with mismatched landing gear
If Stuck on Tracks
- GET OUT immediately
- Move AWAY from tracks
- Find emergency number on signal post
- Call 911
- Give DOT crossing number and location
Mountain Driving: Safe Speed Factors
Consider ALL five:
- Total weight (vehicle + cargo)
- Length of grade
- Steepness of grade
- Road conditions
- Weather
Gear Selection Rule
CRITICAL: Shift BEFORE the Downgrade!
| If You Wait... | Result |
|---|---|
| Speed builds up | Cannot downshift |
| Try to force it | May lose all gears |
| Automatic forced | Transmission damage |
| No engine braking |
Which Gear?
| Vehicle Type | Downhill Gear |
|---|---|
| Older trucks | Same as climbing up |
| Modern trucks | LOWER than climbing up |
Modern trucks have less friction/drag = need more engine braking
Engine Braking
Engine braking = PRIMARY speed control
Brakes = SUPPLEMENT only
Most Effective When:
- Engine near governed RPMs
- Transmission in low gear
Snub Braking Technique (MEMORIZE)
The Method:
1. Speed reaches "safe speed"
↓
2. Brake FIRMLY
↓
3. Slow to 5 mph BELOW safe speed
↓
4. Release brakes (~3 second application)
↓
5. Speed returns to safe speed
↓
6. REPEAT
Example (Safe Speed = 40 mph):
| Speed | Action |
|---|---|
| 38 mph | Don't brake |
| 40 mph | START braking |
| 37 mph | Keep braking |
| 35 mph | RELEASE brakes |
| 36, 37, 38, 39... | Let speed increase |
| 40 mph | Brake again |
Brake Fade
What It Is:
Brakes overheat → lose stopping power → need more pressure
Causes:
- Riding brakes continuously
- Not using engine braking
- Brakes out of adjustment
Prevention:
- Use engine braking as primary
- Use snub braking technique
- Check brake adjustment frequently
- Select gear BEFORE descent
Escape Ramps
- Built on steep downgrades
- Use loose material to stop runaway vehicles
- Know locations on your route
- Signs show where ramps are
- Save lives, equipment, and cargo
Key Numbers to Memorize
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Stop from tracks (min) | 15 feet |
| Stop from tracks (max) | 50 feet |
| Clear single track | 14+ seconds |
| Clear double track | 15+ seconds |
| Snub braking: reduce by | 5 mph |
| Snub braking: duration | ~3 seconds |
Quick Quiz
Q: Minimum distance to stop from tracks?
A: 15 feet
Q: Maximum distance to stop from tracks?
A: 50 feet
Q: Time to clear double track?
A: More than 15 seconds
Q: Should you shift gears on tracks?
A: NO—never
Q: When to shift gear for downgrade?
A: BEFORE starting down
Q: Primary speed control on downgrade?
A: Engine braking (brakes are supplement)
Q: Modern trucks use what gear downhill?
A: LOWER than gear for climbing up
Q: Snub braking: slow to how far below safe speed?
A: 5 mph below
Q: How long is each snub brake application?
A: About 3 seconds
Q: What is brake fade?
A: Brakes overheat, lose stopping power
Memory Tricks
Stopping distance: "15 minimum, 50 maximum—feet from tracks"
Track clearing: "14 for single, 15+ for double"
Snub braking: "5 below, 3 seconds, let it go"
Gear selection: "Modern trucks = MORE engine braking needed = LOWER gear"
Engine vs brakes: "Engine = PRIMARY, Brakes = BACKUP"
Crossing Procedure Checklist
- Slow down approaching crossing
- Look for warning signs
- Turn on 4-way flashers
- Stop 15-50 feet from tracks
- Look LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT
- Check for second train
- Ensure can clear completely
- Cross without shifting
- Turn off flashers after clear
Mountain Descent Checklist
- Check weight, length, steepness
- Note posted speed limits
- Shift to low gear BEFORE descent
- Use engine braking as primary
- Apply snub braking technique
- Know escape ramp locations
- Watch for brake fade signs
Next Steps
- Memorize: 15-50 feet, 14/15+ seconds
- Know snub braking: 5 mph below, 3 seconds
- Remember: gear BEFORE descent
- Modern trucks = lower gear downhill
Ready to test your knowledge? Start practicing with our Railroad and Mountain Driving questions.