Klopp v. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co.
Klopp v. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co.
Opinion of the Court
1. It was too steep, and only half loads could be hauled up and over the crossing.
2. In wet and icy weather, it could not be used, because horses and cows would slip and fall.
3. It is dangerous to pass over the tracks either with loaded teams or driving cattle, for the reason that, as one is going up the hill from the north side of defendant’s tracks to the south side, trains from the east cannot be seen until one is almost upon the tracks, and in going from south to north across the tracks, trains from the west cannot be seen, because of a sharp curve and cut, some 40 or 50 rods to the westward.
4. The gates were so arranged that a person might be. trapped with his team and wagon and hit by a train while opening the same.
5. Because of the liability of teams and wagons to go straight from the north over the steep curve or embankment where the roadway makes a turn to go north toward plaintiff’s land.
6. Because the crossing in question does not connect both portions of plaintiff’s land, but, in order to reach his land on the north, the defendant built a portion of the roadway across the land of another.
The plaintiff himself gave testimony to sustain these different propositions, and introduced a number of other witnesses, all of which tended to sustain the plaintiff’s claims; but we are of opinion that the weight of the testimony is with defendant. It is conceded .by the defendant in open court that the place pointed out by the plaintiff is the cheapest place on plaintiff’s land where an underground crossing could be built.
The trial court in its finding stated, among other things:
“The railroad was located across this land many years ago, and a grade crossing established, but, some 6 or 7 years ago, the defendant company, in straightening its line, condemned enough additional land for a double track, extending their ground northward, which necessitated a prolongation and some variations in the then existing crossing, and a crossing was accordingly constructed across both tracks and went to the east line of plaintiff’s land and almost directly north of*538 the house and bam, the approach to which is the only feasible one from the south or from his buildings; but the plaintiff insists that this grade crossing is not adequate, and demands an underground crossing which would pass through the embankment several hundred feet westward from the present crossing, and then turn east along the right of way south of the track, terminating at or near the south end of the present crossing. The evidence shows that the north gate to the present crossing is about 30 feet from the north rail. It also shows that, to a person approaching the crossing from the south, the view of trains coming from the west is cut off by a mound of earth on the right of way and close to the south side of the track. These facts and the steepness of the grade of the north approach are the chief grounds of complaint that the plaintiff makes against the present crossing, and on which he makes his demand for an undercrossing, which would cost from $5,000 to $8,000, and for the purpose of enabling him to reach land worth about $3,000. While the expense is not necessarily controlling in what constitutes an adequate crossing, we should not entirely lose sight of it, especially when it is as startling in amount as the record shows it would be in this case, where the expense would be, according to plaintiff’s evidence, about equal to the entire value of the farm at the present time. ’ ’
The court further says:
“Having personally viewed the premises, the court believes that, if the south gate to the present grade crossing were moved back to or near the south line of defendant’s right of way, and the bank or small hill of dirt were moved sufficiently to enable a person approaching the track from the south to see approaching trains from the west, and the north gate moved back, say, 20 feet to or near the bottom of the grade, the plaintiff would have an adequate means of crossing, and that there could be no need of an undercrossing, so far as danger is concerned. I further find and believe from the evidence that a team that can haul a load from the railroad up to the plaintiff’s house, and other buildings, can haul the*539 same load up the grade from his field to the railroad. The ascent is about the same on both parts of the road or lane. It seems that the plaintiff has used the present crossing ever since it was put in, and there is no showing that he has sustained any damage or injury in doing so, owing, no doubt, to his care and caution in crossing the track. ’ ’
Here the court fails to find that the claims and demands set forth in plaintiff’s petition and amendment are reasonable, and they are consequently denied. The decree did provide for making the changes suggested by the court, and it is stated by appellee that the changes have been made by it, at considerable expense.
We think the weight of the evidence shows that the present crossing is no steeper than many highways. The alterations in the crossing required by the court obviate plaintiff’s objection that the view of the crossing is obstructed. Considering all the circumstances, which we have not attempted to enumerate, our conclusion is that plaintiff’s demand for an underground crossing is unreasonable, and we find, also, that, with the alterations required by the trial court, the present crossing is adequate.
There is no serious dispute between the parties as to the law of the ease. Plaintiff contends that, if a party is entitled
“It is urged, however, that, as the cost of an overhead crossing will greatly exceed the benefits to be derived by the landowner, the defendant should not be required to furnish it. Undoubtedly, this should be taken into account in deciding upon the character and location of the crossing, but it is not a defense. The right of way is acquired upon the condition that an adequate crossing will be furnished the owner (State v. Mason City & Ft. Dodge Ry., 85 Iowa 516), and this without reference to the cost involved. Such cost may be kept in view in determining the grade of the road and through what land it shall be located, but will not defeat the owner’s right to an adequate crossing after his farm has been severed by the appropriation of the right of way, especially as the right to such crossing is conceded in estimating the compensation to which he is entitled. Guinn v. Railway, 125 Iowa 301. If, then, the grade crossing was impracticable as an adequate means of crossing from one portion of the farm to the other, as the jury found, it must be rejected, and the overhead crossing, conceded to be adequate, adopted in its stead, even though this may be at considerable expense to the railroad company.”
As before stated, the question of cost is not controlling, and, under'the authorities, is not a defense; still it is a circumstance properly to be considered, with the other facts in the case, and it has been held that, while convenience and profit to the landowner and expense to the company are proper to
We have also held that the rule in this state is for a grade crossing, and it is only when it is unreasonable and inadequate that any other may be required. Schrimper v. Chicago, M. & St. P. R. Co., 115 Iowa 35, at 42 and 43.
In regard- to what constitutes an adequate crossing, we said, in Truesdale v. Jensen, 91 Iowa 312, at 314:
“The location and character of such a crossing must be determined with a due regard for all the interests involved in its construction and maintenance. Among these are the reasonable use which the landowner desires to make of it, its expense, and the effect it will have upon the operation of the railway and the safety of life and property. The landowner cannot dictate the kind of crossing he will have, nor the place where it shall be located. ’ ’
This was cited and approved in the Schrimper case, supra, where it was said that neither the landowner nor the railroad company may act unreasonably or arbitrarily with reference thereto.
Without further discussion, it is our conclusion that the court rightly refused to grant plaintiff an underground crossing.
Our conclusion is that the defendant should pay one third of the cost of both trials in the district court and in this court. As so modified, the judgment of the district court is — Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.