Weird Sign

[FThunder11]

I was railfanning the other day, and i saw a square sign cut diagonally like an "X" and the right and left triangles were yellow and the top and bottem triangles were red...What is this for? THANX

[edblysard]

From the GCOR, General Code Of Operating Rules

5.4.3 Display of Yellow-Red Flag
A. Restriction Specified in Writing
Two Miles Ahead of Restricted Area. Yellow-red flags warn a train to be prepared to stop because of men or equipment. To make sure the train is prepared to Stop at the right location, employees must display a yellow-red flag 2 miles before the restricted area.



Less Than Two Miles Ahead of Restricted Area. When the restricted area is close to a terminal, junction, or another area, employees will display the yellow-red flag less than 2 miles before the restricted area. This information will also be included in the track bulletin, track warrant, or general order.


B. Restriction Is Not Specified in Writing
When a yellow-red flag is displayed and the restriction is not specified by a track bulletin, track warrant, or general order, crew members must be prepared to stop short of a red flag 2 miles beyond the yellow-red flag. If a red flag is displayed, proceed as outlined in Rule 5.4.7 (Display of Red Flag or Red Light). If no red flag is displayed:


Move at restricted speed.
Increase speed only after:
a. A crew member has received permission from the employee in charge.
b. The rear of the train has passed a green flag.
or
c. The rear of the train has traveled 4 miles beyond the yellow-red flag, and the train dispatcher has verified that no track bulletin or track warrant protecting men or equipment is in effect at that locafion.
5.4.4 Authorized Protection by Yellow or Yellow-Red Flag
On subdivisions where maximum speed does not exceed 40 MPH, and it is authorized by special instructions, yellow or yellow-red flags may be displayed without the use of track bulletins, track warrants, or flagmen. Yellow or yellow-red flags must be displayed 2 miles before the restricted area. Protection will begin at a point 2 miles beyond the yellow or yellow-red flag and continue for 2 more miles, as outlined in Rule 5.4.2 (Display of Yellow Flag) and Rule 5.4.3 (Display of Yellow-Red Flag).

Note: Crew members do not need to receive verification from the train dispatcher when this rule is in effect.

Ed

[mudchicken]

Alias "Form B" approach. See one those and it usually means that the track or bridge folks are busy somewhere close to 2 miles beyond that sign.

Running one of those is as bad as disregarding a blue flag. Ed has seen what happens when a track foreman does a really poor job of protecting himself with Form B approach signs. Also FT Springsboy, when a Form B is granted under the rules, the foreman using it controls movement over that piece of track instead of the dispatcher.

[dehusman]

Actually the track the foreman controls is two miles form the sign not at the sign. The dispatcher is still in control of the track. He can line signals through the limits of a form B. Unless the form B indicates "STOP" a train can pass through the limits of the form B at restricted speed. The foreman can authorize the train to operate at a higher speed. If the form B indicates "STOP" then the train has to stop before entering the form B and only the foreman can authorize the train to enter the limits.

Dave H.

[tree68]

I've never heard a form B given. Any time a foreman wants track around here, he gets an EC-1 (used to be a form D), so he owns the track. Even though the train may get an EC-1 through that section (ie, he has MPx to MPy, which is within a normal block, which the train may get all of), they still have to clear with the foreman before they can enter his section. Most often, the foreman will get an entire normal track block. It's part of the EC-1 the train receives, and they call the foreman...

[dehusman]

If they are using "form D's" then you will never hear a form B because that's a different rule book and a different operation. "Form B" is GCOR which is primarily the railroads west of the Mississippi.

Dave H.

[canazar]

I am so glad I just watch.... My brain hurts reading and trying to follow all that.

[;)]

John kanicsar

[edblysard]

Thats ok, John,.
The Canadians have their own rule book, so that makes at least three!
Where you live, the GCOR is used,
Try this link
http://www.railroadcontrols.com/gcor/index.html
read till you faint!

Ed

[lonewoof]

Gee, I thought 66-1 and FCC Part 73 were bad...