Hey y’all, just a quick (and possibly stupid) question. Over the past couple of months when I go out and railfan along the CSX Dothan Subdivision, I’ve noticed temporary signs staked into the ROW along the tracks. Each sign is about 1’x1’ square and is either amber in color, or amber in color with an orange-red diagonal through it. I am assuming that they are outlining the beginning and ending of either MOW restrictions, or perhaps outlining slow order boundaries. If I’m right, y’all please let me know. If I’m wrong, DEFINITELY let me know what these signs are.
I’m not all that conversant in CSX’s rules, but as I recall, the yellow sign with the red slash (apparently nicknamed “firecracker”) is an indication of an upcoming slow order, or possibly even work limits. Such areas are usually covered in bulletin orders or dispatcher’s instructions, but the signs serve as another form of warning of the upcoming restriction.
If it’s simply a slow order, that means the engineer has time to adjust the train speed as appropriate. If a stop is/may be involved, there is ample time to prepare, or to call ahead to whoever has the track for clearance through the limits.
Thanks, Ed. The day of simple directions in rules seems to be gone–consider the rule governing the use of a blue signal; a 1950 Rule Book that I have has only two paragraphs covering this subject, one of which governs the procedure necessary if no blue signal is available when one needs to be used.