THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9509010571
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
At least six motorists who allegedly ignored warning lights at railroad crossings were caught Thursday afternoon by Norfolk & Western Railway Co.'s Officers on a Train program.
It was the second this week that police were put aboard locomotives to crack down on motorists who drive around the crossing gates when trains are approaching.
Thursday's run traveled from the Portlock section in Chesapeake to Norfolk International Terminals. One catch was at the Liberty Street crossing in Chesapeake while the rest were in Norfolk. Most motorists were caught at the Chesapeake Boulevard crossing, said Sgt. Faye L. Jones, a railroad officer.
Marked and unmarked city and railroad police cars wait near the crossings while a city police officer aboard the train with the conductor and engineer watches for cars that drive across the tracks after warning signals begin. The officer then radios the patrol cars.
On Monday, at least two drivers were issued citations when an officer rode a locomotive from the railroad's Lamberts Point Yard in Norfolk to the Wellons Street Crossing in Suffolk. Scofflaws can be fined up to $500. by CNB