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Unopening of the Crossing Gates Ceremony, Lincoln

Every now and then, Lincoln has held an 'Unopening of the Crossing Gates Ceremony'. This popular event involves hundreds of people staring at one another from across either side of the railway tracks, when the railway crossing gates refuse to open. On good days, the traffic can be backed up for miles. A few years ago, the event was not so popular as there was a footbridge by the crossing gates, so the company removed it. Interest waned after a while, because people started using the alternative footbridge over the station.
To liven things up a bit, the railway decided that on days when the gates were operational, they would run longer and slower trains, which passed just that bit quicker than the walk to the station footbridge. After a while, the railway became aware of public apathy and so they have now decommissioned the signal box. Next time the gates fail, it is hoped that no one will be around to fix them, which could lead to a spectacular two or three day event.