Railroad Crossings
Hazardous Materials
Unusual or Suspicious Occurances
Hazards along the Right of Way and on Trains
Railroad Crossings
Modoc Northern Railroad crosses numerous public and private roads and highways. Each crossing is marked with a Federal DOT crossing number, displayed either on a blue panel attached to one of the railroad crossing sign posts or on a shed-like structure adjacent to a signal-equipped railroad crossing.
If you observe an unsafe condition, evidence of vandalism, or a defective signal at any of these crossings, please call the emergency number posted on the sign as soon as possible to report it. Be prepared to give the crossing's DOT number and location. If you don't know the location, that's okay; we can locate it by the crossing number.
If the situation poses a threat to life or property, such as a stalled vehicle on the tracks, and you are unable to read the crossing location sign's emergency telephone number, please dial 911 immediately.
Expect a train at any crossing, at any time, from either direction. If your vehicle stalls or otherwise becomes stuck on the tracks, DO NOT REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE. Don't wait until you hear a train horn; first get out of your vehicle and get any passengers out of the vehicle, then call the emergency number if possible and wait for assistance a safe distance from the tracks. Consider which direction your vehicle may be pushed should a train strike it from either direction, and do not place yourself in a position to be struck by debris from the collision.
Trains are equipped with excellent braking systems; however, the laws of physics still require several hundred feet from where an engineer applies the emergency brakes for a train to come to a stop!
Hazardous Materials
Modoc Northern Railroad transports various chemicals in tank cars. Some of these are hazardous materials. Should you observe any unusual liquid dripping, or vapor eminating from a tank car, DO NOT APPROACH the car. Stay upwind of the car and call us at 530-667-2500 to report the leaking car.
Changes in temperature and humidity occasionally cause tank cars to "sweat" or "steam" as condensation (dew) collects on the tank shell and then either drips off or evaporates. These conditions are normal, but if you are concerned that a tank car may be leaking do not hesitate to call us and report your observations.
Other railcars you may see in Modoc Northern Railroad trains include covered hoppers, which are enclosed cars that commonly transport bulk materials such as various grains, as well as perlite and pumice (light-colored minerals). While these commodities are not hazardous materials, we would appreciate being notified if you observe a leaking car in a passing train.
Unusual or Suspicious Occurances
Please call us to report any suspicious activities you may observe along the Modoc Northern Railroad's right of way. This would include any criminal activities, such as illegal dumping or vandalism.
Hazards Along the Right of Way and on Trains
Should you observe a potentially unsafe condition along the Modoc Northern Railroad such as a tree down or a rockslide across the tracks, we'd appreciate it if you would call us at 530-667-2500 and report it. Likewise, if you see anything dragging from a passing Modoc Northern Railroad train, observe smoke coming from a freight car's wheels, or hear something unusual as a train passes, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
Railroad Safety