Enjoying Railroad Crossings that Support Railway Safety: 'The World of Railroad Crossings'. Due to Popular Demand, the Second Volume is Finally Released! 'The World of Railroad Crossings 2: Many More Interesting Railroad Crossings' Published

Ikaros Publications Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Akihiro Yamate), which operates media businesses in aviation and railway fields within the Impress Group, released 'Tabitetsu BOOKS PLUS: The World of Railroad Crossings 2: Many More Interesting Railroad Crossings' on May 12, 2026.

Let's enjoy the often-disliked railroad crossings!

Railroad crossings, which block road traffic when trains pass, are often avoided due to long waiting times. However, they play a crucial role in connecting towns divided by railway lines and safely crossing railways and roads. If you observe railroad crossings closely, you will find various individual characteristics in the differences in equipment such as warning lights and crossing gates, as well as in their sounds and movements.

If you find railroad crossings interesting, your perception of waiting times might change. Author chokky, a former railway employee (driver), wrote this book with such thoughts in mind.

A detailed look at the evolving equipment of railroad crossings

With the development of digital technology and the spread of LEDs, railroad crossing equipment is rapidly changing. For example, warning lights can now be seen from 360 degrees due to the arrangement of LEDs, and text display has become possible, expanding the range of expression. Also, there has been an increase in weightless crossing gates that do not require a counterweight on the opposite side of the pole. Currently, conventional and new types coexist, which adds to the fun of observing railroad crossings.

In Chapter 1, this book classifies railroad crossing equipment by manufacturer, introducing not only differences in shape but also the ingenuity of each company. Chapter 2 analyzes the characteristics and trends of railroad crossing equipment of major private railways by company. In Chapter 3, with the cooperation of Kyosan Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd., which handles many railroad crossing related facilities, interviews and factory tours were conducted. It explores the reasons why conventional types continue to be used even as weightless crossing gates become mainstream. Chapter 4 features four lines with many distinctive railroad crossings, and Chapter 5 introduces interesting railroad crossings nationwide from Hokkaido to Kyushu.

The content avoids duplication with the previous work 'The World of Railroad Crossings', making it enjoyable for those who already own it. The book is structured so that you can enjoy it just by looking at the photos, and it is also recommended as an introductory book for children interested in railroad crossings.

This book is recommended for the following people

Those who like railroad crossings

Those who like railways

Those who have children or grandchildren who love railroad crossings

Paper image

Chapter 1 classifies equipment such as warning lights and crossing gates by manufacturer.

In Chapter 3, with the cooperation of Kyosan Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd., we covered the manufacturing process of crossing gates.

Chapters 4 and 5 introduce interesting railroad crossings nationwide. Please use it as a reference for your outings.

Book structure

CHAPTER 1 Grand Research on Railroad Crossing Equipment

CHAPTER 2 chokky's Classification of Railroad Crossings by Railway Operator

CHAPTER 3 Learning about Railroad Crossings at Kyosan Electric Mfg.

CHAPTER 4 Railroad Crossing Deep Area Vol. 2

CHAPTER 5 Continued: Interesting Railroad Crossing A La Carte

Bibliographic information

Series name: Tabitetsu BOOKS PLUS

Title: The World of Railroad Crossings 2: Many More Interesting Railroad Crossings

Author: chokky

Release date: May 12, 2026 (Tuesday)

Specifications: A5 size / 160 pages

Price: 2,200 yen (2,000 yen + 10% tax)

ISBN: 978-4-8022-1740-8

◇ Ikaros Publications book information page: https://books.ikaros.jp/book/b10159817.html

[Ikaros Publications Co., Ltd.]

Engages in publishing activities in aviation, railway, military, and rescue fields, centered on 'Monthly Airline'.

Furthermore, it develops many publications in fields such as travel, interpretation/translation, and lifestyle.

[Impress Group] https://www.impressholdings.com/

A media group with Impress Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuki Tsukamoto) as its holding company. It develops highly specialized media & services and solution businesses with 'IT', 'Music', 'Design', 'Mountains & Nature', 'Aviation & Railway', 'Mobile Services', and 'Academia & Science' as its main themes. Furthermore, it also handles the development and operation of content business platforms.

[Contact for this matter]

Ikaros Publications Co., Ltd. Contact: Hayashi

contact@ikaros.jp