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Railroad Track Sign

Posted by jmusgrove

on Wed, Aug 6 2014 9:12 AM

Looking for information on the use of a track side sign.

This is a small vertical sign that has "SPRT." printed on the top with two numbers separated by a line. Example: 22/54.

Thinking this indicates a distance to or from a set point abbreviated using "SPRT".

Can anyone tell me what this sign is used for?

Joe

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Posted by henry6

on Mon, Aug 11 2014 7:55 AM

What railroad? Where? Track layout? Not mile marker. Could be some kind of speed limit. Permanent sign or temporary flag type? Need lots more information to determine answer.

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Posted by tomikawaTT

on Mon, Aug 11 2014 12:49 PM

Kipling needs help! You gave us who. How and Why are your questions.

WHAT - a trackside sign. Which railroad? Size? Shape? Color? General surroundings?

WHERE? WHEN?

Note that SPRT is not in the AAR listing of railroad reporting marks. Nor does it appear in the Abbreviations.com list of standard abbreviations (except as a river in Peru.) Is it possible that the sign is in a township, designating something important to that township or some other business or political entity, and only coincidentally located next to a track?

Without more, and more specific, information I could spray the ground and sky with semi-educated guesses, with a very low probability of hitting the correct answer.

Chuck

Posted by jmusgrove

on Mon, Aug 11 2014 8:34 PM

Appreciate the replies.

This was a sign advertised on EBay and the seller does not have additional information such as location the sign came from.

Per Chuck's post this does not appear to be a standard railroad sign.

Joe

Posted by henry6

on Tue, Aug 12 2014 9:05 AM

If we could see a picture of it, know its location and railroad, we could help identify. It could be legitimate railroad fare or it could be something entirely different...we can't tell unless we know more.

Posted by DSchmitt

on Tue, Aug 12 2014 7:05 PM

Could "SPRT" stand for Sprint? If so, the sign would be a marker on a fiber optic cable line.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

Posted by henry6

on Tue, Aug 12 2014 7:37 PM

DSchmitt
Could "SPRT" stand for Sprint? If so, the sign would be a marker on a fiber optic cable line.

An excellent guess...again, not seeing a picture nor better description or the address for the Ebay listing, we really can't tell. I had another thought about it being an NJT marker for the Sports Line.

Posted by wanswheel

on Mon, Aug 18 2014 5:05 PM

Posted by henry6

on Mon, Aug 18 2014 7:14 PM

WOW Wan! But from what railroad or transit operation? What location? I am beginning to think SPRT is South (something: Portland, Philadelphia, Peoria, Pittsburgh, P----------?) Rapid Transit perhaps. Definitely transit (or trolley?) than railroad. Numbers could be present (top) and next (bottoms) speed restrictions. Can't be number of cars spotting because they are too desperate from 1 to 8 to 10 and from 50 to 11. May not even be USA for that matter.

Posted by rrebell

on Tue, Aug 19 2014 4:08 PM

Italian if I'm not mistaken.