CHAPTER 242

AN ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding new sections numbered
56-412.1 and 56-412.2 so as to prohibit obstruction of streets or roads
by railroad cars or trains, prescribing penalties for violation and pro-
hibiting local governing bodies from adopting conflicting ordinances,
orders or resolutions; and to repeal §§ 38-290 and 38-291 of the Code
of Virginia, relating to the same matters. [8 9]

Approved March 8, 1958

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: ;

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding new sections num-
bered 56-412.1 and 56-412.2 as follows:

§ 56-412.1. It shall be unlawful for any railroad company, or any re-
ceiver or trustee operating a railroad, to obstruct for a longer period than
five minutes the free passage on any street or road by standing cars or
trains across the same, except a passenger train while receiving or discharg-
ing passengers, but a passway shall be kept open to allow normal flow
of traffic; nor shall it be lawful to stand any wagon or other vehicle on
the track of any railroad which will hinder or endanger a moving train;
provided that when a train has been uncoupled, so as to make a passway,
the time necessarily required, not exceeding three minutes, to pump up
the air after the train has been recoupled shall not be included in con-
sidering the time such cars or trains were standing across such street
or road. Any such railroad company, receiver or trustee, or driver of any
such wagon or vehicle, violating any of the provisions of this section shall
be fined not less than five nor more than twenty dollars.

§ 56-412.2. No city, town or county shall adopt any ordinance, order
or resolution in conflict with the provisions of § 56-412.1 and all ordinances,
orders or resolutions of any city, town or county heretofore adopted in
conflict with such section are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
2. §§ 33-290 and 33-291 of the Code of Virginia are hereby repealed.