What is the function of the blue-beacons each with two bull-horns pointed toward the track?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=428063&nseq=6
Audible and visual warnings of an approaching train to track or signal personnel working at this location. The system is turned on by the crews working in the area, and activated by approaching traffic. No workers, no lights.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
CShaveRR Audible and visual warnings of an approaching train to track or signal personnel working at this location. The system is turned on by the crews working in the area, and activated by approaching traffic. No workers, no lights.
Unless the last person using the system forgets to turn it off.
Jeff
Come on, Jeff, who would ever forget to not turn the thing off?
Johnny
Here is a subject view shot on May 29, 2009 …
… at CP SP876 ESTRELLA (M.P. 876.2) on Union Pacific’s Sunset Route in Arizona.
Another same day Sunset Route view at …
… CP SP882 MOBILE (M.P. 882.1), with TWO of those blue lights in view.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
And a activated blue flag means M.O.W. or housekeeping crews busy at work. Track is dead to traffic until it is given up by said crew.
Also, in years past dispatchers could use these two devices to listen for trains passing certain locations...a kind of double check.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
It is called Train Approach Warning System. It is part of our OTS (on track safety). I am telecom so I have not had to use it yet, but we are trained to use them just in case. I would personally trust a lookout more, but if you are by yourself I can see where they can be really handy.
BarstowRick And a activated blue flag means M.O.W. or housekeeping crews busy at work. Track is dead to traffic until it is given up by said crew. Also, in years past dispatchers could use these two devices to listen for trains passing certain locations...a kind of double check.
These blue lights are not the same as a blue flag. When MOW/signal people are using TAWS, the blue lights flash and the sirens go off when trrains approach, but the track is not dead. Traffic continues to move through the plant. If the MOW/signal people need to have traffic stopped while they work within the plant, they obtain a foul time permit on the track(s) they need. Then signals are held to stop traffic.
Jeff, are doll masts with blue lights on them still used to indicate that there is one (or more) tracks between a signal and the track that the signal is for?
Johnny, I saw a doll mast out east, about eight years ago. Not even sure whose line it was before Conrail (might have been RDG). I pointed it out to the doll I was with...Haven't seen any on busy railroads lately. Around here, any industrial spur that enters our main line has a signal of its own.
Sorry I'm a bit late on getting back on this. I don't see a provision, at least system wide although there could be local provisions, for a doll mast on the UP. However, I have on my computer a copy of Norfolk Southern rules from 2008 or 2009 (I just looked it up and you would think that I could remember the date, not.) and it does provide for the use of doll signals. Maybe someone more acquainted with NS rules could provide current data on this.
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