Railroad Crossing (Crossbuck) sign
Marks the railroad grade crossing itself. At least one is required on every approach to every highway-rail crossing; in most states it requires drivers to yield to trains.
What to do
Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is approaching. Never race a train.
Treat the Crossbuck like a YIELD sign for trains: slow down, look both ways and listen, and stop if a train is coming.
The crossbuck shape is reserved for this sign (2A.05).
Where it's used
Section 8B.03 requires at least one Crossbuck (R15-1) on each highway approach to every highway-rail grade crossing, on the right-hand side, with a second one on the left where sight distance is poor or the approach is one-way multi-lane. It must be retroreflective white with RAILROAD CROSSING in black on two crossed blades, a shape used for no other sign, and at passive crossings the backs carry a white reflective strip. Where there are two or more tracks a Number of Tracks (R15-2P) plaque goes below it, and STOP or YIELD signs may be added to the post.
Don't confuse it with
- Railroad Crossing Ahead: The round yellow sign warns that a crossing is ahead, while the white Crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
- Railroad Crossing Pavement Marking (RR): The RXR pavement marking is painted on the approach, while the Crossbuck is the post-mounted sign at the tracks.
- Number of Tracks plaque: The Number of Tracks plaque is mounted under the Crossbuck to say how many tracks there are.
- Type
- Railroad crossing signs
- Shape
- Crossbuck
- Colors
- white, black
- MUTCD code
- R15-1
- MUTCD section
- 8B.03
On state permit tests
Our questions for 30 states ask about this sign, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado and Connecticut.
Test yourself
What should you do at a railroad crossing with a crossbuck sign but no other warning devices? (Alabama practice test)
- Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be prepared to stop
- Speed up
- Stop for 30 seconds always
- Ignore it if you don't hear a horn
Show answer
Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be prepared to stop. At a crossbuck, slow down and be prepared to stop. With no warning devices, slow down, look and listen before crossing.
What does the white X-shaped crossbuck sign at a railroad crossing require? (Arkansas practice test)
- Proceed without looking
- Honk
- Stop always
- Yield the right-of-way to the train
Show answer
Yield the right-of-way to the train. The crossbuck marks the grade crossing and requires you to yield the right-of-way to the train.
More railroad crossing signs
Number of Tracks plaque
Railroad Crossing Ahead
Parallel Track Crossing
Low Ground Clearance Crossing
No Gates or Lights plaque
No Train Horn
Do Not Stop on Tracks
Stop Here When FlashingFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 8B.03. Sign image: public domain, source.