How long does the average freight train take to pass?

Question

*im meaning like when your sitting at the gates*

Answer 1

Freight trains can be different lengths, and different crossings might have different speed limits for the train.

I (briefly) worked for the SP/Rio Grande railroad and we had one run that was a 130 car coal train. As you can imagine at a low speed crossing that would take quite a long time.

Answer 2

depends on how fast the train is going and how long the train is

Answer 3

all depends on the speed it's traveling

Answer 4

Indeed, as rbanzai was saying the time is dependent on train length and crossing speed.  This can range from freights either traveling at speed, and not required to slow whatsoever, at well above 60 mph or a slow city/street crossing which only allows 5-10 mph through the crossing.  As you can probably guess, the difference in time is quite staggering from just a few moments to several minutes (if you are waiting at a gated crossing near or in city limits the freight train is likely required to slow considerably taking anywhere from say, 5-15 minutes to clear the crossing).

Answer 5

It depends on length and speed.  A train one mile long would take:

45 seconds at 80 MPH

48 seconds at 75 MPH

56 seconds at 65 MPH

1 minute at 60 MPH.

1 minute and 6 seconds for 55 MPH

1 minute and 12 seconds at 50 MPH

1 minute and 20 seconds at 45 MPH

1 minute and 30 seconds at 40 MPH

1 minute and 43 seconds at 35 MPH

2 minutes at 30 MPH

2 minutes and 26 seconds at 25 MPH

4 minutes at 15 MPH

6 Minutes at 10 MPH

If a train were 1 and 1/2 miles long, then you would add half again as much, etc.

It is definitely worth waiting for these trains to pass if your intention is to reach a ripe old age...................