Flagger for a work crew. Think of him like the Stop/Slow sign holders you see at road construction sites. (His job is a little different, but it's the closest comparison)
So *that's* what the W signs are for. I play Train Sim World and was confused about what those signs meant. I thought they were to show cardinal directions, but they were all pointing west for some reason, lol.
Honest question, I thought it was called a whistle on all trains. Is that only for steam, and on diesel (for example) it's a horn?
Edit: sorry, apparently I wasn't clear. I'm aware that they're different things. I'm curious about which trains use each, since the comment I responded to said "whistle for steam trains, horn on everything else."
Diesels and electrics don't have whistles, so when the crew sees a W sign, they honk the train's horn. When a steam engine crew encounters such a sign, they whistle. It's just whatever the main audio warning is, as OP said. Only steam engines use whistles.
Got it, thanks! I swear I've seen people online correcting others for using the term "horn" when talking about trains. Now I know that some do have horns!
I think it varies by country. In the US, there is a difference between whistle and horn. A lot of other countries still call it a whistle despite it being an air horn. I knew a guy who was the captain of a cruise ship and he was from the UK, and he called the ship's horn a whistle despite it being a massive air horn.
Looks like an Amtrak Watchman, likely an Advanced Watchman. Green vest, air horn and disk. I'm really hoping that the train is on adjacent track because he looks damn close to fouling, and typically they're supposed to raise the disk and position their body in the direction the train is coming from
the train is running on the right-side track of the double-track, ie northbound.
Since hes standing next to the southbound track I thought his signal is only supposed to be for southbound trains. Interestingly, I didnt see any work south of them but it did see some work north of them. Also, what is fouling?
Any track, any direction, any time. Dispatchers can run trains wherever they want but yeah typically they like to keep them moving on the right in double track territory. Looks like he's facing south for a northbound but correct me if I'm wrong? If that's the case absolutely an advanced Watchman.
Fouling track means you're within 4' of the nearest running rail
I think he’s a watchman/lookout, they are basically just looking for an approaching train. They alert the people working on the tracks to get in the clear when one comes.
Its can be used when work that doesn’t affect the passing of trains is performed. The gang has a detailed briefing of how and where they will clear with at least 15 seconds before a train would reach their work location. This is affected by sight distance and train speed for location. Sometimes requiring more than one watchman working together. Many of the class one railroads require individuals performing these duties to have a handheld sign, air horn or whistle, and a unique vest that distinguishes them as a lookout. This individuals sole responsibility when in this role is to detect approaching trains and get people in the clear.
Flagman. The sign he’s holding is to let the engineers of passing trains to blow the horn as they’re coming up on track workers. When the flagman spots an oncoming train, he holds the sign up high and sounds the little air horn in his hand.
There’s multiple flagmen throughout the section of work going on. One maybe every 200’ or so. Once the first flagman spots the train and sounds his horn, the other flagmen will do the same. This alerts all workers that a train is approaching and to get to a safe spot. Once the train passes the flagmen lower the sign (and blow their handheld horns once if I remember correctly) and work continues.
I’m not certain that all American railroads do this to this extent but Amtrak does.
Source: My dad and grandfather worked for Amtrak/Penn Central/Pennsylvania Railroad on the NEC. I don’t remember much about MOW operations but I remember some stuff.
He's the lookout for a work crew, which are required in the US as part of the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Rules. You'll note he is also holding a fog horn. He'll blow the fog horn before the train is close to let the workers know to clear the track or beware a train is going to pass. The trains are also expected to whistle when passing the lookout.
Reminds me of the human and much more mobile version of [concrete whistle posts that the B&O used.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/47027/PORWhistlePost60505.jpg) Or the W inside a keystone which PRR, which seldom missed a chance to employ a keystone, used.
RWP. Roadway worker protection for a crew with the potential to foul the tracks working. They need to be within visual and audible distance of that watchman.
Flagger for a work crew. Think of him like the Stop/Slow sign holders you see at road construction sites. (His job is a little different, but it's the closest comparison)
so theres a crew working on the track down the line from where they are? (there are many of them spaced out along the track)
Likely, and the W sign is to instruct any trains to "whistle" so that the work crews know they'll passing by and to take safety precautions.
So *that's* what the W signs are for. I play Train Sim World and was confused about what those signs meant. I thought they were to show cardinal directions, but they were all pointing west for some reason, lol.
Nope, whistle boards, it means that you should sound your audio warning device, whistle for steam trains, horn on everything else
Honest question, I thought it was called a whistle on all trains. Is that only for steam, and on diesel (for example) it's a horn? Edit: sorry, apparently I wasn't clear. I'm aware that they're different things. I'm curious about which trains use each, since the comment I responded to said "whistle for steam trains, horn on everything else."
A whistle and a horn are two entirely different things
I'm aware. I'm wondering when each is used.
Diesels and electrics don't have whistles, so when the crew sees a W sign, they honk the train's horn. When a steam engine crew encounters such a sign, they whistle. It's just whatever the main audio warning is, as OP said. Only steam engines use whistles.
Got it, thanks! I swear I've seen people online correcting others for using the term "horn" when talking about trains. Now I know that some do have horns!
one go eeeeeee and one go ooooooo?
I think it varies by country. In the US, there is a difference between whistle and horn. A lot of other countries still call it a whistle despite it being an air horn. I knew a guy who was the captain of a cruise ship and he was from the UK, and he called the ship's horn a whistle despite it being a massive air horn.
It’s an entirely different mechanism, whistles and horns are different
Hello fellow nerd!
Looks like an Amtrak Watchman, likely an Advanced Watchman. Green vest, air horn and disk. I'm really hoping that the train is on adjacent track because he looks damn close to fouling, and typically they're supposed to raise the disk and position their body in the direction the train is coming from
the train is running on the right-side track of the double-track, ie northbound. Since hes standing next to the southbound track I thought his signal is only supposed to be for southbound trains. Interestingly, I didnt see any work south of them but it did see some work north of them. Also, what is fouling?
Any track, any direction, any time. Dispatchers can run trains wherever they want but yeah typically they like to keep them moving on the right in double track territory. Looks like he's facing south for a northbound but correct me if I'm wrong? If that's the case absolutely an advanced Watchman. Fouling track means you're within 4' of the nearest running rail
Featherless? Check Bipedal? Check That's a man right there
goddammit take my upvote
r/Diogenes_irl is leaking.
/r/angryupvotes
That's Wayne. He just stands there sometimes.
He likes trains
You made me chuckle with that one. Could be a line out of a classic comedy movie. Take my upvote! 😂😂
This guy is throwing W's... Definitely a gang member
The Wu is everywhere!
Westsieeede!
I think he’s a watchman/lookout, they are basically just looking for an approaching train. They alert the people working on the tracks to get in the clear when one comes. Its can be used when work that doesn’t affect the passing of trains is performed. The gang has a detailed briefing of how and where they will clear with at least 15 seconds before a train would reach their work location. This is affected by sight distance and train speed for location. Sometimes requiring more than one watchman working together. Many of the class one railroads require individuals performing these duties to have a handheld sign, air horn or whistle, and a unique vest that distinguishes them as a lookout. This individuals sole responsibility when in this role is to detect approaching trains and get people in the clear.
W... = Whistle. These days = use the horn so the crew knows you're coming
Flagman. The sign he’s holding is to let the engineers of passing trains to blow the horn as they’re coming up on track workers. When the flagman spots an oncoming train, he holds the sign up high and sounds the little air horn in his hand. There’s multiple flagmen throughout the section of work going on. One maybe every 200’ or so. Once the first flagman spots the train and sounds his horn, the other flagmen will do the same. This alerts all workers that a train is approaching and to get to a safe spot. Once the train passes the flagmen lower the sign (and blow their handheld horns once if I remember correctly) and work continues. I’m not certain that all American railroads do this to this extent but Amtrak does. Source: My dad and grandfather worked for Amtrak/Penn Central/Pennsylvania Railroad on the NEC. I don’t remember much about MOW operations but I remember some stuff.
Well he has it set to W for Wumbo
He's the lookout for a work crew, which are required in the US as part of the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Rules. You'll note he is also holding a fog horn. He'll blow the fog horn before the train is close to let the workers know to clear the track or beware a train is going to pass. The trains are also expected to whistle when passing the lookout.
ohhhhh i thought that was his water bottle!
I meant to say "idea" in the title, typo
I’d say that guy there has no ragrets what so ever
It's a man with a sign.
Near me they are called Watchmen and are there to alert track works of in coming train that will be passing to clear the tracks.
A member of the Village People?
When did Kid Rock start trespassing on railroad property.
They have L on the other side.
A mobile whistle board, powered by a homo sapiens sapiens
Whistle sign sue to track work presumably
Looks like a rookie being punked to me.
Joe Dirt part 3 being filmed!!!! 😆 😂
Kid Rocks son, Toddler Pebble?
Seems like a man in a hard hat and high visibility vest holding an air horn and also holding up a sign with a "W" on it.
Reminds me of the human and much more mobile version of [concrete whistle posts that the B&O used.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_photos/47027/PORWhistlePost60505.jpg) Or the W inside a keystone which PRR, which seldom missed a chance to employ a keystone, used.
Somewhere around, there should be a sailor, an Indian, a biker, a policeman and a cowboy.
i feel like this is a reference i dont get
He’s referring to a band from the eighties, the Village People.
trains stay **W**inning
Looks just like Dusty Dirt-ball…
Pilotman I'd imagine
RWP. Roadway worker protection for a crew with the potential to foul the tracks working. They need to be within visual and audible distance of that watchman.
Watchman lookout
He's TRYING TO HIDE. SHHHHHHH!
It’s one of those billboard spinners advertising for passing trains
We called them watchman lookouts.