What are some of the diffrent colored RR flags

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Hi Everyone I was wondering what are some of the diffrent colored. RR flags around.

LIke I know red means stop don’t move
yellow slow down move slowly
green means go

But I have seen one flag on a side track on the north side of milwaukee that is purple

what does a purple flag mean also I have seen signs with a w crossed out and a white sign with a red stripe though it and I have seen other signs to but I can’t think of them right now so if anyone knows what a purple flag means please pass it on my way.[:D][4:-)]

2

w crossed out is a “quiet zone” crossing.the white sign with a red stripe would probably be a railroad workzone marker.
stay safe
Joe

3

White flags on locomotives mean either and “extra” or a “special”.

4

Actually you have all but stop wrong.

Yellow doesn’t mean “go slow”. Yellow means that two miles from the sign there will be a speed restriction.
Green doesn’t mean “go” it means resume speed, that you have reached the end of the speed restriction or work area.

There is also a yellow-red flag that means there is form B or other track work going on two miles from the flag.

Dave H.

5

You mentioned a purple flag. Are you sure it was not a blue one? Blue flags or signs indicate someone is working around or under a locomotive or car and under no circumstance is there to be any movement of that equipment as long as the blue signal is displayed.

6

I have seen purple signs used for derails.
Jeff