Braeswood at Fannin Trolley Crossing

LONGEST #&*% TRAFFIC LIGHT WAIT IN HOUSTON !?
S. Braeswood at Fannin St.: Every 4^th light or so, the traffic light and railroad crossing perform a perfectly timed coordination to hold-​up S. Braeswood traffic for 3 lights in a row (8 minute wait), backing up the line of cars back to Holcombe.
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This parody version of the «Trolley Song» (made famous by Judy Garland in «Meet Me in St. Louis» movie) is dedicated to the long lines of car drivers who regularly must wait for this dance of lights and trolley cars.
(original song:
)
«Clang, clang, clang» went the trolley
«Blink, squeak, lower» went the gate
«Roll, roll, roll» went the train wheels
For a few minutes we had to idle and wait
STOP THE SONG!!! RED LIGHT! TEXT CROSSING IN PROGRESS. HOLD THE SONG AND WAIT.
(reader: chant «text, chug, text, chug, …» while reading)
Timeline sequence of events:
1. S. Braeswood light turns green
2. Immediately, the RR crossing gate arm lowers before traffic can cross
3. Takes a minute or so for train approach, pass and arm to lift
4. Light turns red (i.e. so no cars got through the green light)
5. Fannin traffic takes a couple of long minutes
6. S. Braeswood light turns green, but NO-​o-​o-​o !
7. (repeat steps 2 – 4, but this time the train is going back to town)
8. Finally, on the 3^rd green light, Braeswood traffic can go.
OK, RESUME THE SONG…
«Blink, squeak, raise» went the cross gate
«Green, yellow, red» went our light
«Honk, honk, honk» went some car horns
When you’re frustrated, your anger needs flight
He flipped a sign, she stomped her feet,
Some had air conditioners to relieve the heat,
Some read books, and some made a call
Most patiently waited for the eventual crawl
STOP THE SONG!!! RED LIGHT! TEXT CROSSING IS IN PROGRESS. HOLD THE SONG AND WAIT.
Some of the experienced drivers (me included) turned off their engines, knowing the long wait ahead. The trouble is, it’s 100 degrees outside. Plus, I can hear the rail traffic planner laughing his head off at our frustration.
You railheads: Google and other automated driving technology will drive rail back to the country, as it will be much cheaper to transport people on roads (
). So, rail fans, take pictures now. In 30 yrs people will wonder what those tracks were for, just like they did mid-1900’s.
OK, RESUME THE SONG…
«Zoom, zoom, zoom» went cross traffic
«Chew, spit, wipe» went a hick,
«Up, Up, Up» went the crossbar
As we started to leave when the light turned and grieve left the land
And as if it were planned
We crossed the tracks and it was grand
Just to drive with no waiting in line
All the way to the next dumb stop sign
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Finally, some «that explains it» historical trivia from
«May 2, 1874: Houston City Street Railway begins mule-​powered operations on Travis Street, truly beginning the streetcar era in Houston. From this company can be traced a direct line of continuity to the present-​day METRO system.»