Grade crossings

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Along railroad rights of way, near railroad and highway, state, county and township road crossings, I see a small white sign with a black “W” on it along the tracks. I believe this to be the “Whistle” sign, telling the engineer to give the long, long, short, long, grade crossing signal.

However, I also sometimes see what I will call a slash sign. This sign is black and looks like a “/” thick slash. It is about a foot long, and maybe three inches wide and crosses the post it’s mounted to at a 45 degree angle. Is this another sign for giving the grade crossing signal?

These signs are seen here in Northern Minnesota, along the Northern Pacific, Burlington Northern and now BNSF tracks and along the Soo Line/Canadian Pacific tracks.

2

Probably a “flanger” signal warning a flanger to raise its blade.

3

Dave H. that would make sense!

4

The “W” sign is called a whistle post, alerting the engineer that the train is approaching a grade crossing and to sound the horn.

The “/” mark is to warn the flanger operator to raise the blade so it doesn’t damage the crossing or cause a derailment.