A railway worker stationed at a level crossing to manually operate the gates, barriers, and local signals. They ensure road traffic is stopped before a train approaches and verify the tracks are clear. While automated systems have largely replaced this role, keepers remain at certain historic, high-traffic, or complex intersections where human judgment is required to manage the flow safely.
Heard on the job
The crossing keeper at Elm Street radioed that a stalled truck was fouling the main, so we had to dump the air.
Insider tip
In North America, the traditional crossing watchman with a lantern and stop sign has been almost entirely replaced by track circuits and automated boom gates.
Also heard as
- crossing watchman
- gatekeeper