I'm a little curious about this now.I was Car 1 in this situation recently and the guy behind me did it and it didn't really bother me, I'd probably do the same thing in the situation as there's no need for "Car 2" to wait to make a right-turn because of a train, there's plenty of times this crossing gets 10-12 cars long down a 2-lane street through a residential/light commercial area so it can create a traffic problem if Car 1 is stopped there and other cars further back want to turn right.
Trekker, if you were "Car 1," and (as you said in another post) you could turn right, go a little ways up the road to an underpass, and pass under the train...
Why were you just sitting there this time? Seems to me you would use the method that's worked for you before.
Are you sure this isn't just made up?
What is Pflumm and Sante Fe Trail Drive, Alex?
If I was Car 1 I do just turn rather than wait, more than a few times I'm Car 2 and Car 1 is and idiot who doesn't take the alt route, making everyone else wait.
The times I didn't do it was because I could see the end of the train coming.
The intersection you cited? ... Yes.