RAILROADS

Oklahoma City Municipal Code ch. 45

in effect

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-1 Definition.

§ 45-1. - Definition. As used in this chapter the term "reflectorized" shall mean any glass or other type of object which will reflect the light of the headlights of motor vehicles. (Code 1970, § 29-1; Code 1980, § 45-1)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-2 Speed limits.

§ 45-2. - Speed limits. No person shall operate, or assist in operating, any railway engine, train or car at a speed greater than 40 miles per hour over any street crossing at grade within the City's limits subject to the following exceptions: (1) all southbound Santa Fe trains shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from South 29th Street to the City limits. (2) all northbound Santa Fe trains shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from the south City limits north to South 29th Street. (3) all northbound and southbound Santa Fe trains shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from the north City limits to North 36th Street. (4) all eastbound and westbound trains of the Rock Island Railway shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from Western Avenue to the west City limits. (5) all northeast- and southwest-bound trains of the Burlington Northern Railway shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from Northeast 10th Street to the east City limits. (6) all northeast- and southwest-bound trains of the Burlington Northern Railway shall be permitted to operate at a speed not to exceed 50 miles per hour from Portland Avenue to the west City limits. (Code 1970, § 29-2; Code 1980, § 45-2; Ord. No. 20422, § 1, 9-26-95)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-3 Railroad warning devices, generally.

§ 45-3. - Railroad warning devices, generally. At all railroad street grade crossings in the City where the Corporation Commission has not made any greater requirements as to warning devices, a warning device facing oncoming traffic in each direction shall be erected and maintained by the railroad company which operates trains, engines or cars across such crossings. Said warning devices, commonly referred to as "cross buck" signs, shall be made of wood, metal or concrete with the words "railroad crossing" printed thereon. (Code 1970, § 29-3; Code 1980, § 45-3)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-4 Advance railroad warning devices.

§ 45-4. - Advance railroad warning devices. The City Traffic Engineer may place a standard advance railroad circular warning device, the same being 30 inches in diameter and having thereon "RR/X," facing the traffic approaching each railroad street grade crossing. If the nearest street running parallel with said railroad tracks is more than 150 feet from the nearest rail of the tracks, the device shall be 150 feet from such nearest rail; otherwise the device shall be placed as near to the 150-foot distance as conditions will permit. The letters on such warning device shall be reflectorized. (Code 1970, § 29-4; Code 1980, § 45-4)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-5 Installation of additional warning devices on order of City.

§ 45-5. - Installation of additional warning devices on order of City. (a) Whenever, as to any railroad street grade crossing, the Traffic and Transportation Commission shall deem it necessary for the protection of life and property that a crossing watchman or automatic signaling devices, or more than the minimum warning devices, shall be maintained at any such grade crossing, the secretary of the commission shall notify the railroad company affected of its action and shall advise the company that unless suitable arrangements can be made for the placing of the crossing watchman, automatic signaling devices or other additional warning devices deemed necessary by the commission within 15 days from the date of such notification, a time for hearing will be set for the purpose of determining the necessity for such additional safety requirement. (b) If no suitable arrangement is made within the 15-day period, the commission shall upon 15 days written notice to the railroad company affected set a time for hearing any such question. At such hearing the commission shall: (1) determine whether or not it is necessary, in its judgment, that a crossing watchman or automatic signaling devices or additional warning device should be recommended; (2) announce its recommendations. If the railroad company affected desires to conform to such recommendations the commission shall thereupon prescribe the time within which such recommendation must be complied with. (c) If the railroad company either advises that it does not desire to comply with such recommendation, or fails to take any action within the 15-day period as provided in Subsection (b) of this section, the commission shall thereupon advise the Municipal Counselor that it is necessary to make application to the Corporation Commission for the determination of the reasonable necessity for such additional crossing protection. The Municipal Counselor, when directed by the Council, shall thereupon immediately make application to the Corporation Commission of the State to have such commission determine the reasonable necessity for additional crossing protection after due notice and hearing. (Code 1970, § 29-5; Code 1980, § 45-5)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-6 Railway crossing lights.

§ 45-6. - Railway crossing lights. For the purpose of providing for the general welfare and safety of the inhabitants of the City, all railroad corporations operating main lines of railway within the City limits shall: (1) properly maintain said right-of-way, including providing and maintaining an arc electric light at each railway street crossing within the City. Said light shall be sufficient to give notice of potential danger to the public at large; the light shall be furnished and maintained at the expense of the railroad company. (2) place and properly maintain said lights wherever designated and whenever ordered by the City Council. (Code 1970, § 29-7; Code 1980, § 45-6)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-7 Obstructing railroad crossings.

§ 45-7. - Obstructing railroad crossings. (a) No person shall obstruct any of the streets in this City by stopping or standing any cars or trains of cars of any kind, or any locomotive engine, so as to prevent the free passage of vehicles or foot passengers for more than five minutes at any one time, provided, however, that this time limit shall not apply to the railroad crossings on Classen Boulevard, between West Main Street and the northmost Northwest Second Street, described below: (1) a strip of land across the existing Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company's main line, said strip being 40 feet on each side of the following described centerline of Classen Boulevard. Starting at the east line of Western Avenue and the north line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company right-of-way; thence south 73 degrees 7 minutes east along said north right-of-way line 340.2 feet to the centerline of Classen Boulevard, then south 2 degrees 19 minutes west 50 feet; then on a curve to the left having a radius of 889.89 feet, a distance of 54 feet, more or less, to the south railroad right-of-way line. (2) a strip of land across the existing Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company's switch track right-of-way, said strip being 40 feet on each side of the following described centerline of Classen Boulevard, starting at the east line of Western Avenue and the north line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company right-of-way; thence south 73 degrees, 7 minutes east along said north right-of-way line 340.2 feet to the centerline of Classen Boulevard; then north 2 degrees, 9 minutes east 87 feet, more or less to the south line of the railroad switch track right-of-way; thence north 2 degrees, 19 minutes east 4.6 feet; thence on a curve to the right having a radius of 954.93 feet a distance of 18 feet, more or less, to the north railroad right-of-way line. (b) At the crossings set forth in Subsections (a)(1) and (2) above the following schedule is hereby established for all day and night operations including Sunday, and all switching operations over and along same shall conform to the following: (1) no switching from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. daily. (2) during all other periods of time switching operations shall block the crossing for not more than five minutes. (Code 1970, § 29-6; Code 1980, § 45-7)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-8 Loitering or trespassing on railroad property.

§ 45-8. - Loitering or trespassing on railroad property. (a) No person shall loiter or remain within a railroad station platform, or upon a railroad yard, railroad ground, or railroad right-of-way, after being requested to leave by an employee or other person engaged in the operation of the railroad. (b) No person shall stand, walk, sit, run or recline upon a railroad track except for a lawful purpose. (c) No person shall jump, climb, or ride upon any railway train or car, standing or moving, upon the main or side tracks of a railroad company unless said person is an employee of a railroad company or authorized by law. (Code 1970, § 29-9; Code 1980, § 45-8)

Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 45-9 Violations.

§ 45-9. - Violations. Any person, owning or operating any railway in the City who fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with the requirements and provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this chapter; each and every day that said person fails to comply with the requirements and provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a distinct and separate offense or violation. (Code 1970, § 29-8; Code 1980, § 45-9)

Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH45RAFetched: 10/28/2026