What do the signs mean?

[Mookie]

When I took my only train ride this last summer - I asked the engineer what those black indicators were - he said flange indicators. I don't see them around here, so was, of course, time for a question!

[Rodney Beck]

Hi group the D on the switch stand is for a derail and the other sign looks like a station sign I know that some of them are big but some could be small.

Rodney Beck
Conductor/Student Engineer BNSF

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info everyone. J1

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jamison1

Is the puropse of a flanger sign to indicate to the engineer to lift snow plow for an approaching grade crossing, etc or were there other purposes? That's the only purpose Ive ever heard of so just wondering.

Railway Grade Crossings, Public Crossings at grade, switches, rail lubes, all those kinds of things, otherwise the flanger would tear them out, or just end up derailing.

[Anonymous]

Is the puropse of a flanger sign to indicate to the engineer to lift snow plow for an approaching grade crossing, etc or were there other purposes? That's the only purpose Ive ever heard of so just wondering.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, I did forget to mention this is on the BNSF track about 45 miles North of Sioux City, Iowa. I noticed this morning that at a major highway crossing of this same line at Highway #10 (which is about 39 miles North of Sioux City, IA) there are the same solid black diagonal signs about 100 yards on both sides of the crossing so that both North and South trains would see them. The pic I posted yesterday was near a gravel road grade crossing about 100 yards south of the crossing so that Northbound trains would see it.

The signs in question are solid black, no holes, no wording and the diagonal low point is always closest to the rail. The high side is up and away from the track. I noted the substations near both of the crossings do have mile post numbers clearly readable so I thought these black sign would have some other meaning.

[CShaveRR]

C&O's flanger signs (at least in Michigan) were horizontal rectangles, painted white, with black circles at either end. The specifications for the signposts said that they were made from lengths of used boiler tube!

[tree68]

Any flanger markers I've seen have either been black or just plain rust. I seem to recall seeing them with a second, smaller, flag as well.

[Big_Boy_4005]

This is the back side of a flanger sign on the UP near where I live. I don't think I have any shots of the front side.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Yup, plain black to contrast with the snow, I think. I'll have to look more carefully next time I run out. I'm guessing that you are used to seeing CP tracks. I'll check some photos from this summer, I might have one on file.

Yeah, I believe CN uses the ones with the holes or black circles as well.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yup, plain black to contrast with the snow, I think. I'll have to look more carefully next time I run out. I'm guessing that you are used to seeing CP tracks. I'll check some photos from this summer, I might have one on file.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by macguy

The flanger signs I have seen usually have black circles on them, one on either side of the sign.

Some of the other ones will just have the sign with a circular hole cut out on either side, instead of black paint.

Doesn't this one have anything on it?

Flanger signs vary from railroad to railroad. I'll bet Jamison took that shot on the UP somewhere. That's what the flanger signs look like on the grade crossing neat me.[;)]

Is it just a blank sign on the UP?

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by macguy

The flanger signs I have seen usually have black circles on them, one on either side of the sign.

Some of the other ones will just have the sign with a circular hole cut out on either side, instead of black paint.

Doesn't this one have anything on it?

Flanger signs vary from railroad to railroad. I'll bet Jamison took that shot on the UP somewhere. That's what the flanger signs look like on the grade crossing near me.[;)]

You guys who don't recognize flanger signs must live where there is no snow.[:p]
Ed, being from Houston, you're excused.[;)][:D]

[Anonymous]

The flanger signs I have seen usually have black circles on them, one on either side of the sign.

Some of the other ones will just have the sign with a circular hole cut out on either side, instead of black paint.

Doesn't this one have anything on it?

[jeaton]

Must have been something in the turkey. Thanks

Jay

[jeaton]

Flanger Sign??? (Not in the Glossary)

Jay

[tree68]

The second one does somewhat resemble a flanger sign - although they usually run off to the side of the post. Is it square (rectangular) or diagonal? Hard to tell in the picture.

[edblysard]

The top one is a derail, with a switch stand throw.
Looks like it puts derails on both rails, pretty heavy duty derail.
When lined, the D will face the traffic flow.

The second one is what Macguy said, it looks like a older station sign.
By the way, stations do not have to be a building, the term is also used for control points and location reference, like a mile post.

Ed

[Anonymous]

Does the other one say anything?

It looks like a Station Name Sign from this angle.

[Anonymous]

Your top sign means that there's a de-rail, the other one I have no idea.

[Anonymous]

When displayed, what is this?

And this diagonal sign is black. It faces South (for Northbound trains)


If it matters, both signs are bside the same siding. Anyone?
Thanks, J1