§ 3343 — Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings

(a) General rule.--No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, power shovel, derrick, roller or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles or in any event of less than nine inches measured above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.

(b) Notice of intended crossing.--Notice of any intended crossing shall be given to an authorized representative of the railroad and a reasonable time be given to the railroad to provide proper protection at the crossing.

(c) Stopping at crossing.--Before making any crossing, the person operating or moving the vehicle or equipment shall first stop the vehicle or equipment not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.

(d) Movement over crossing.--No crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagman or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. Movement over a crossing shall be under the direction of any flagman provided by the railroad.

Legislative History

Cross References.Section 3343 is referred to in section 1611 of this title.