Rochelle - RED square

[Anonymous]

I have been viewing the Rochelle webcam site of late, I see a RED square/target get placed on a post some metres beyond the signal mast/gantry in the morning and then removed later in day, yet trains seem to pass this RED sign in either direction. Here in Australia, no trains would pass a RED track sign, though ours would be placed in the 4 foot. To proceed, the RED sign would be removed. Can someone please enlighten me to the meaning of the RED square and its purpose.

[Anonymous]

In The United States, trains can not pass a red board unless given permission by the dispatcher. While giving track and time Authority, he will say something like,"Track and time permit number 485 for BNSF 5302 from MP 32 to MP 54 without stopping at the red boards and proceding at maximun authorized speed." This is only until the the track is fully restored after a derailment or any other serious track damage. When the track is fully restored the boards will be removed, and operations will be fully restored. Usualy, trains will have a slow order through the section, when a green board is displayed the engineer can resume normal speed after the end of the train passes the board.

[Soo2610]

I noticed the board a couple of days ago. Anyone know what happened or what they are doing out there that it was posted?

[Anonymous]

That red board that you guys have been seeing is for a form B track bulletin from MP 75.2 to 78.7. The form B runs from 0630 to 1730 hrs. for protection of the many workers that are working on Global 3.

[Soo2610]

Dave-- Thanks for the info. Is it safe to assume that Global 3 is the new intermodal yard that UP is putting in out there?

[Anonymous]

Thankyou for the information. Now I know a bit more. It is great to learn this, as I can now see how different railways do the job differently, yet still get the job done.

In my part of the world (Western Australia), for this type of working for the protection of workmen on or near the lines, we would have a 'Gang Warning' board (yellow) along with a max speed through their work site placed similar to that here at Rochelle and in some cases, detonators maybe used.

A RED sign/Board/Flag is NOT passed, unless it is first removed, and then only by the person whom erected it. As it indicates, Danger ahead do not proceed. This is used for the protection of a Work site due to track removal, major trackworks etc, yes, unsafe for the passage of trains.

Work sites are published in Weekly Notices and also Special Train Notices. We very rarely get held up by a Red sign, if we do then it would be for a few minutes, unless the Gang have had a major breakdown of equipment then it could last a bit later, but as I say, these are few and far between.

Catch all again another day, I will get back to making music with my Australian built Dash 9 GE's and head off across the Nullarbor Plain to earn another Dollar. JR.