This is for the engineers and other train crew members. Do any of you use binoculars while working, to look ahead for any obstructions, perhaps as an aid to reading a distant signal that might be hard to see due to glare, or bright sun? To keep a look out for stray livestock, or other wildlife on, or near the tracks? Not to mention vehicles, people, or what have you. Try to spot the obnoxious railfan so you can close your window so you don’t have to wave???[(-D] [:-^](Sorry, couldn’ resist that one. [;)]) I have always wondered about this, and figured I would ask.
The use of Binoculars on a train is forbidden on most railroads. There has been more than one instance of a crew looking at signals through binoculars, missing the signal they were suppose to see and actually reading the next one down the line, proceeding on the wrong signal indication and running into the back of another train.
I wouldn’t say that they are never used, but they can prove to be a very serious problem if used inproperly. Also, seeing through binocualrs on a moving train is very difficult, try using them in the car, very little can be seen and dealt with by using them.
I’ve never heard of them being forbidden before. At least not on the NS that I have heard about. I do know a few guys that have a set in their bag, but not for looking at signals. Mostly just wildlife and such while stopped meeting another train or just being held somewhere. Like said above, they would really wouldn’t be much good for trying to see a signal while moving because of the constant movement.
I don’t buy binocular-induced confusion of the signals, nor a rule prohibiting the use of them. Binocular-induced misinterpretation of signals (following the wrong signal) shouldn’t be a problem if the engineer is familiar with his territory. On the other hand, if an engineer requires binoculars to read the signals in the course of his duties, he has other problems equally as serious!
(The people who write about problem holding them steady on a moving locomotive are correct.)
When the UP was promoting its near-hit program encouraging the crews to turn in drivers who ignore crossing signals, they mentioned an engineer (or other crew member) using binoculars to get the license number off an offending vehicle. Were the use of binoculars prohibited by rule, I doubt that this would have been mentioned. Haven’t heard much about the program lately, but it’s still there, as far as I know.
I used to bring my binoculars to work to get a closer look at things I wanted to see. They wore out, and haven’t been replaced. I no longer depend on them to check clearances, and my distant vision is pretty good for a geezer my age.
i use to carry a small set in my grip and knew of a few others that carried them too… not real powerfull ones but good enought to spot something on the rail or a signal indication… and contrary to what someone else said above… they arent that hard to use on a train… the only time i would break them out is when running on restricted speed to help eyeball the rail ahead of me in checks…not glued to my face from the moment i went past the resticted signal…
there is no rule saying we cant have them… or even use them if we do have them…
csx engineer
I have to agree with above posts I also carry a set of them with me to use when the light is bad and we are running at restricted speed Dont quate me but I dont know of a rule on the Un ion Pacific that says we cant carry and use them CNW Forever Larry
I always carried a pair of low-powered binoculars (usually about 5-10X). They were great when running at Restricted Speed while “looking out for switches not properly lined, broken rails, and anything else which might cause the speed of the train or engine to be reduced”.
I have two pair of binoculars - can I be a superintendent? [}:)]
I have carried mine for years the only thing that was ever said by the officals is they did not like being spotted and foil the rules compliance ( banner checks) or while they was watching us from a distance using them on us. there is no rule against them and ive used them at daytime to see a distance signal if running on restricting signals, it does help to know what to be checking for. at night i been using them on banner checks and checking for broken rails.
What’s a banner check?
Stop test
I always carry mine, they can come in quite handy.
An Efficiency Test for compliance with the requirements of Restricted Speed…Stop within 1/2 the range of vision.
Go faster than you can stop and you run over the banner and fail the test. Not good for career advancement.
Its a big sign that is on 2 poles a trainmaster will strech this across the rails in front of you. it will say obstruction stop short of. take a square right obstruction at top right under that real big as to catch your attention stop. and then regular letters short of under that. the banner is either all red with white lettering or white with red lettering. get thru it and its the same thing as running into another train. minimum of 30 days off. and rumor has it that the ns is going to make it a perminate dismisal just like running a stop signal.
Our banners look like the “A Frame” highway barricades, with two red flags and a flashing red light on top.
I carried a low power set of binoculars when I was in T&E. Now I have a more powerful set in the tower with me.
Nick
I just met a former NS engineer who was fired for failing a banner check. He’s now installing surround sound systems for Best Buy. That’s how I met him.
we called em stick men or skinny trainmasters
On my railroad it is the operations manager hopping out of the bushes with a red flag. He always picks a blind curve on a downgrade (often at twilight) to pull this stunt. You get flagged three times a year.