Saw a sign on our Amtrak Line just outside yard limits or right on edge - yellow/black - just a small rectangle.
P-75
F-50
It is?
Mookie
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Ah - we guessed right!
Thank you!
Sis, this is one case where UP has an interesting twist on this. On the speed boards, there are just two numbers--it's understood that the top one is for passenger trains and the bottom one for freights.
However, the speed reduction board is a chevron, with the point facing downward, as in "get your speed down". The green board at the end of the restriction is an upward-pointing chevron, solid green.
On CSX, if I remember correctly, they use different shapes for passenger and freight restrictions (circular for passenger, square for freights). I also remember seeing speed limit signs at every block signal, much like on a highway--or maybe they had that many slow orders! (In all fairness, some of the rough-looking passenger/freight trackage I'd mentioned before in Michigan was being fixed up last time we were up that way.)
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)
See - it was simple - and interesting too!
Thanx!
Madame La Mook-
Thanks for the post... it answered one of my questions too!
Does anyone know what the "No Right Turn" sign looks like on a railroad? ;)
Would it look a little like this?
23 17 46 11
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
.....Wow...that's wild rough looking track near the crossing Ed to be safe for 75 mph...!!! Look at the waves in the track on this side of the crossing. The engineer must bounce out of his seat as he hits that....!
But I sure do like the photo.
Quentin
Modelcar wrote: .....Wow...that's wild rough looking track near the crossing Ed to be safe for 75 mph...!!! Look at the waves in the track on this side of the crossing. The engineer must bounce out of his seat as he hits that....! But I sure do like the photo.
Favorite "Far Side" comic needs to go here:
"Engineer Mathews here, there appears to be some bad traculence ahead"........
(Larson apparently never rode a train and never rode BN accross Iowa)
Within yard limits, trains or engines are authorized to use the main track not protecting against other trains or engines. Engines must give way as soon as possible to trains as they approach.
All movements entering or moving within yard limits must be made at restricted speed unless operating under a block signal indication that is more favorable than Approach.
Upon observing or having advance knowledge that a block signal may require restricted speed due to yard limits, if entering or within yard limits, the movement must be at restricted speed at that block signal, or as soon as possible thereafter, consistent with good train handling.
Yard limits remain in effect continuously unless otherwise specified by special instructions or track bulletin.
Against the Current of Traffic
Movements against the current of traffic must not be made unless authorized or protected by track warrant, track bulletin, yardmaster, or other authorized employee.
When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping within half the range of vision short of:
Train
Engine
Railroad car
Men or equipment fouling the track
Stop signal
or
Derail or switch lined improperly
The crew must keep a lookout for broken rail and not exceed 20 MPH.
Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement at restricted speed is no longer required.
Except when moving on a main track or on a track where a block system is in effect, trains or engines must move at a speed that allows them to stop within half the range of vision short of:
Permanent speed restriction signs will be placed in advance of permanent speed restrictions. Numbers on the face of these signs indicate the highest speed permitted over the limits of the restriction.
Two Sets of Numbers
When two sets of numbers are shown, the greater number governs trains consisting entirely of passenger equipment. The lesser number governs all other trains.
Resume Speed Signs
A permanent resume speed sign or a speed sign showing a higher speed will be placed at the end of each restriction.
Crew members must not exceed the speed shown on each permanent speed restriction sign until the rear of the train:
Has passed a permanent resume speed sign or a sign showing a higher speed.
Has cleared the limits of the restriction.
'Nother one.
Northbound Hiawatha at Rondout, IL
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
Datafever wrote:Which leads me to another question - how closely do engineers follow "speed limits"?
edblysard wrote: Would it look a little like this?
You nailed it, Ed!
Yes, Sis (and others), speed limits are very closely enforced. Sometimes the Weed Weasels have radar guns, and there is no tolerance in the posted or timetable speeds. 79 m.p.h. maximum does not mean 80!
As for the trackulence in the photo, I suspect that this sign, being as close to Camp Mookie and the diamonds as it is, probably indicates an increase in speed from what was in effect in advance of the sign, so one really doesn't have to worry about taking that particular stretch at 75 (no excuse, just an observation).
CShaveRR wrote: Yes, Sis (and others), speed limits are very closely enforced. Sometimes the Weed Weasels have radar guns, and there is no tolerance in the posted or timetable speeds. 79 m.p.h. maximum does not mean 80! As for the trackulence in the photo, I suspect that this sign, being as close to Camp Mookie and the diamonds as it is, probably indicates an increase in speed from what was in effect in advance of the sign, so one really doesn't have to worry about taking that particular stretch at 75 (no excuse, just an observation).
What is the purpose of having 79 mph speed limits? Why don't they just call it 80 mph and be done with it? 79 mph is kind of like when advertisers say that something is $19.99. It had just as well be priced at $20.00.
Willy
CShaveRR wrote:Normally the entire train has to go through the restricted area before speed may be increased.
Willy, I agree with you--but in order for a line to be allowed to have an 80-or-over speed limit, it must have some form of advanced train control, such as Automatic Train stop, Automatic Train control, or other such.
Datafever, the engineer has a counter by which he can measure distance from a certain point when necessary. He (or the conductor in the cab with him) knows the train length.
CShaveRR wrote: Datafever, the engineer has a counter by which he can measure distance from a certain point when necessary. He (or the conductor in the cab with him) knows the train length.
Of course, a good engineer will know his locations and be able to calculate distance and time. If his train is 125 cars long, and the speed restriction ends at, say, milepost 55, the engineer should know that at milepost 56.25 his speed may be increased. He shoudn't need some darn gadget to replace his thinking ability.
In addition, if an engineer needs a counter to know where the rear of his train is, how could he possibly be able to figure out what speed he needs to travel (to avoid stopping and blocking crossings) when the dispatcher tells him that at the junction 14 miles ahead he will have to wait for a train that is 22 miles from said junction, coming in the opposite direction at 38 mph.
Datafever, here is an example of the head end device with the counter in the top left corner.
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