I saw an unfamiliar sign today at a grade crossing: a reflective rectangle about 15"X30". The top half was yellow, the bottom half was red. It had a thin, black border around the edge, and was next to the balast, about 100’ from the crossing.
Can anybody tell me what it means?
Thanks.
Which railroad?
A warning for train crews. Its giving you advance warning for a Form B restrcition. MOW puts them out 2 miles from a red flag which begins the work limits.
BNSF
Is it a notice that the train should begin slowing at that point, to be ready for what’s up ahead? I may have to drive a couple miles further up, to see what’s goin on.[;)] The track parallels the street.
Beat me to it. CN uses them around here but there square insteaf of a triangle.
This man is right! The BNSF uses that flag. On the CPR we use a yellow board with a red strip going from corner to corner.
Murphy,
From the GCOR…
5.4 Flags for Temporary Track Conditions
5.4.1 Temporary Restrictions
Track bulletins, track warrants, or general orders may restrict or stop train movements because of track conditions, structures, men, or equipment working. Yellow flags will be used for temporary speed restrictions. Yellow-red flags will be used when a train may be required to stop.
5.4.2 Display of Yellow Flag
A. Restriction Specified in Writing
Two Miles Ahead of Restricted Area. Yellow flags warn trains to restrict movement because of track conditions or structures. To make sure train movement is restricted at the right location, employees must display a yellow flag 2 miles before the restricted area
Less than Two Miles Ahead of Restricted Area. When the restricted area is close to a terminal, junction, or another area, employees will display the yellow flag less than 2 miles before the restricted area. This information will also be included in the track bulletin, track warrant, or general order.
Once the Train Reaches the Restricted Area. The speed specified by track warrant, track bulletin, or general order must not be exceeded until the rear of the train clears the restricted area.
B. Restriction Is Not Specified in Writing
When a yellow flag is displayed and the restriction is not specified by a track bulletin, track warrant, or general order, once the train is 2 miles beyond the yellow flag, crew members must:
a. Passed a green flag.
or
b. Traveled 4 miles beyond the yellow flag and the train dispatcher has verified that no track bulletin or track warrant is in effect specifying a temporary speed r
As does CSX.
UP uses something similar to give train crews an advance warning of a MOW speed restriction: a square-shaped yellow sign with two red triangles touching tips in an “hourglass” formation.
CROR Rule 42 Planned Protection(Rule 842 for MOW)
(a) A movement in possession of the Form Y must not proceed beyond the red signal located at the mileage stated in the GBO, enter the track limits stated in the GBO, or make a reverse movement within such track limits until instructions have been received from the foreman named in the GBO. When a specific track is to be used, instructions from the foreman must specify the track upon which the instructions apply.
CROR Rule 842(a) When protection is required, the request must be in writing and on the prescribed form. When protection has been provided, the track and time limits must be confirmed in writing prior to the foreman named in the GBO arranging for the display of the prescribed flags as follows;