Jumper Cables clipped to siding rails

[MP57313]

Went by Ironsides Saturday noon...completely empty.
Conclusion - jumper cables prevent crossing signals from activating

Cars stored at Lawndale have been tagged, and I could see why vandalism could occur. But I would think Ironsides would have the same risks; the neighborhhods aren't that much different.

[MP57313]

Thanks for the responses. The jumper cables extend from one rail to the other and are connected to a gadget in the middle; all are covered with orange traffic cones (to prevent the stray tagger or railfan from getting zapped?).

These cars are semi-permanently spotted on the siding. Last year they were spotted on the Harbor Sub "main track" along Aviation Blvd. just east of the LAX runways...it was during the Code Orange terror alert but I don't know if that was just a coincidence.

Because of where these cars are spotted, the crews must use the "northern end" of the Lawndale siding (north of Marine/Compton Ave.) for tank cars from Chevron in El Segundo and other places. Many of the Allied Signal buildings in the area were recently demolished.

Ironsides has cars from time to time but I don't think it is always full. Something to check out Saturday!

MP

[mudchicken]

probably in place to protect the south approach to the old automatic interlocker at MP 16.1 (SP/ PE access into El Segundo/ Hermosa Beach area around Slauson & PCH tank farms for Unocal & Allied/Signal) and also the at grade crossings. The trainmaster at Watson Yard hated leaving anything at Lawndale for years because of continual signal and vandalism problems. The jumpers are most likely a temporary band-aid for the siding's insulated joints for thr approach to the SP crossing between El Segundo and Lairport (edge of LAX grounds) .... Is Ironsides (Western & Sepulveda) full of cars and they had to use Lawndale which is outside of switching and yard limits for Watson??

[adrianspeeder]

The rails are acting like a giant antenna for my scanner.

No really, are there wires? Where do they go?

Adrianspeeder

[MP57313]

For several weeks now, there has been a cut of "empty" BNSF cars on the Lawndale siding on the Harbor line. The cars look like modern steel versions of log hauling cars...a center spine with large ribs/stakes.

There is a jumper-cable type device attached to the rails just 'north' of the cut of cars. What would this be for...to prevent the nearby grade crossing signal from activating? [Just south of MTA Green Line terminal/Marine Ave xing for those who know this area]

Thx
MP