Current Issue of Classic Trains in the Centerspread has colour photo of 2 MONON diesel units running light diplaying a single red flag in classification holder. It appears to be class flag size not flagging size. Was there a rule at Dearborn Station Chicago or a Monon RR rule requiring display of “marker” for light engine moves? Did the movement from the shop to the station involve a main track movement of light engines as a “train”. I never saw such a thing before, very interesting.
The red flag was used as a marker for the rear end. The same thing shows up in photos of Santa Fe trains being moved in and out of Dearborn station. When an arriving train was to be pulled back to the Santa Fe’s coach yard, a single red flag would be placed in one of the holders above the cab windows of the lead unit of the road locomotive. Then a switcher coupled onto the rear end and pulled out the whole consist, engines and all. I suspect the red flag requirement was a rule of the Chicago & Western Indiana, the terminal road that operated Dearborn, though I’ve never seen a C&WI rulebook.
So long,
Andy Sperandeo
Editor
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine