Wind and Coal

[BaltACD]

Semper Vaporo

Look in the distance (just left of center, 1/4 from the top) and there is a signal mast sort of lost in the dust around the train.

That signal would appear to (under Aussie rules) to be for the direction the train is traveling - and the relative location of all visible signals would tend to indicate that this is a Control Point.  At a Control Point one would expect ALL tracks to have signals covering movements on each track in both directions.  Thus the questions.

[samfp1943]

JPS1

 

BaltACD

 

JPS1

Here is an interesting perspective on this discussion:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/BNSF-watchdogs-settle-coal-dust-lawsuit-10975970.php

Trucks hauling sand, gravel, etc. in Texas must have a cover over their loads to help prevent damage to other vehicles.  Unfortunately, enforcement of the law is not as robust as it should be.  Frequently, the covers are not maintained properly, which results in many motorists having a windshield cracked by a passing grave, sand, etc. truck.

I recall it took 20 to 25 years of yearly efforts for Maryland to finally enact a load cover regulation for dump trucks and other open top aggrate trucks.  It was always a contentious yearly political fight. 

 

 

 

It took an equally long time to get the cover regulation in Texas passed. 

 

Similar laws appear in many jurisdictions around the country (Re: Protecting traffic from 'matter') [ falling out of, or off of  trucks- trucks in motion.] debris becoming air- born.       Open dump loads, dumpsters, or even loads on flat bed trucks, trailers, are covered; to protect other traffic moving around those vehicles.    'Mud Flaps'(definition?) are another source of flying debris that might harm other vehicles. 

Just because there are "laws on the Books" does not necessarily, mean that there is 'active' enforcement by local 'enforcement officers'. Sometimes, that premis is based on the " whose ox is being gored" (?) method of operation.

( an example of that is "Seat Belt Enforcement", for a long time, Law enforcement in some jurisdictions, would not stop a motorist just for a seat belt violation, but for something else ( Tail Light out(?), then the 'officer' would mention that a seat belt was not being used, and add that to the written violation.) 

[edblysard]

BaltACD

 

 

edblysard

BaltACD

kgbw49

I certainly hope the signal closest to the lights is for the track that is closest to the lights - otherwise we have a big problem with the train that is right next to the signal - unless Green means Stop.

Aussie engineers, (drivers) ride on the left hand side of the cab…all the locomotive we have run through the PTRA that are headed out to OZ are set up that way, and the signals are set the same as we do, on the engineers (driver’s) side, which in Oz puts them to the left of the track they govern.

 

 

Which in this picture begs the question, why isn't there a signal at this location for the track the train is operating on.  Normally, at a point where any track has a signal ALL tracks have a signal (I know there are numerous exceptions).  Just wondering what the logic would be for not having a signal for the track the train is on.

 

It looks like there is one, about 20 cars back, just this side of the small crossing.

 

My guess is this is a control point junction of sorts, we need to get a Aussie driver involved here…..

[kgbw49]

Here is a different location but with a similar track set up - the supposition that the diverging track is the "back side" of a station appears to be correct based on this picture. The platform lights look to be of a similar configuration.

 

[kgbw49]

Here are a couple more control point shots from Down Under:

First two are same location, different angle, different traffic:

Next two look to be the same location but different angle - one scales up to fuzzy:

 

 

[BaltACD]

kgbw49

Here are a couple more control point shots from Down Under:

First two are same location, different angle, different traffic:

 

 

In this one I presume that both signals are displaying red from the location of the engines, however, the one on the right appears awfully yellow to be red.

[tree68]

BaltACD

...however, the one on the right appears awfully yellow to be red.

Could be the difference between LED and incandescent, together with a faded lens.