Western Railroad Discussion > Well... its a train

Off in the distance I see the tri-lights of and approaching train. I find a place to pull off and wait. The lights are closer, soon the bells at the crossing go off and just as soon stop. It is closer, hum, no train, power going down the rails. Limon, co


Thanks for looking

john

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The traditional definition of a train, from Josserand's "Rights of Trains": "An engine or more than one engine coupled, with or without cars, displaying markers." I've always understood that the definition also includes the requirement that the engine be on a main track. My 10-year old version of the GCOR doesn't seem to contain a definition of "train" or to require head-end markers. However, I would say that what you saw was in fact a train.

My 2005 BNSF GCOR has:

Train
One or more engines coupled, with or without cars,
displaying a marker, and authorized to operate on a main
track. A term that when used in connection with speed
restrictions, flag protection, and the observance of all
signals and signal rules also applies to engines.

5.10.1 Highly Visible Markers
Display a highly visible marker at the rear of every train as follows:
• From 1 hour before sunset to 1 hour after sunrise.
• When weather conditions restrict visibility to less than 1/2 mile.

A marker equipped with a functioning photoelectric cell will automatically illuminate at the
appropriate time.
When an engine is operating without cars or is at the rear of the train, the trailing headlight
illuminated on dim may be used as a marker.

Barry Draper



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 16:32 by barrydraper.