Western Railroad Discussion > What is this?

What is this setup in the foreground with the pair of loudspeakers and the blue light?
It’s located at MP 653, the north end of Irving, just north of Eugene (OR) Yard.  10/16/20.
 
Also, this train had a couple loads of fir timber that were sized like railroad ties! 
(sorry, not sure how to right a vertical image on TO)
I’ve seen a few loads like this before, but couldn’t imagine fir ties would hold up for long. 
Anybody know the story?

Hopmere Hank

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Perhaps going to a treating plant.  There is one in Eloy, AZ on UP.

Mike Root
Madras, OR

shortlineboss Wrote:
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> Perhaps going to a treating plant.  There is one in Eloy, AZ on UP.

I'm confident they are headed for treatment.  These were headed north...but that might not mean much on the UP?

Hopmere Hank

Amerities treating facility is located at The Dalles, OR. This used to be the UP tie plant.. They use mostly wood from OR and WA.
RB

1. those dimensions (7x9x102) are exactly the standard main line tie size.
2. I don't know for sure now, but the UP once had a Train Approach Warning System to alert track and signal maintenence personnel that a train was approaching.  Your blue light might be one of those.

Wood dust causes cancer? When did that get declared? I'm in trouble.

railstiesballast Wrote:
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> 1. those dimensions (7x9x102) are exactly the standard main line tie size.
> 2. I don't know for sure now, but the UP once had a Train Approach Warning System to alert track and
> signal maintenence personnel that a train was approaching.  Your blue light might be one of those.

Ah, many thanks.
I was pretty sure those were tie dimensions, but I always thought ties were made from hardwood or concrete.
And I thought the light and loudspeaker pair was rather odd, being so close (within sight) to a major yard.
It's right at the north switch at Irving.

Hopmere Hank

It's another California thing.  Fits right in there with Gov Newsom's Thanksgiving guidelines.

SooGuy64 Wrote:
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> It's another California thing.  Fits right in
> there with Gov Newsom's Thanksgiving guidelines.

This is from long before Newsom, so try again.

Prop 65 was voted in by a 65 to 37 percent margin in Nov. 1986 by the people of California not by any Governor.
It covers drinking water and a wide range of other things.
Scott

I've seen the blue light and the loudspeakers before, HH; I htink they've been there a while.  The only thing I could think is for warning trespassers. I'm interested in what the real story is, though.

I've seen them at Mira Loma at both ends of the south passing track for at least 10 years.
And I have no idea what they do, have never seem them operate even when a train is passing.

Milwaukee Wrote:
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> Wood dust causes cancer? When did that get
> declared? I'm in trouble.

Only in California. If you live elsewhere, you'll be fine.

Posted from Android

SooGuy64 Wrote:
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> It's another California thing.  Fits right in
> there with Gov Newsom's Thanksgiving guidelines.

I Take it you are VERY young,,,,

HH Wrote:
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> What is this setup in the foreground with the pair of loudspeakers and the blue light? ...

It is a warning system for MOW people working in the area of the switch. They are located at a few locations (very few) and I honestly cannot tell you how they work but there is an activation switch nearby to arm the system. 

The following is way too much information but...  Wood dust has been long recognized as a carcinogen and is, in fact, listed as such on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IA RC).  This list does not note the degree of risk but simply says cancer is associated with the compounds, etc on the list.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_1_Agents_-_Carcinogenic_to_humans   I will note that outdoor air pollution is on the list as well!  Wood dust is associated with nasal and sinus cavity cancers.  Workers who are directly involved with the production of sawdust and particulate matter are the most at risk.  These do not include hobby woodworkers or folks building model RRs! Or loggers either!

Bruce

Regarding Picture #3, the town of Asbestos, QC just changed its name to the French equivalent of Spring Valley because of the bad association of the original name. I guess all those places with "wood" in their name (like Woodstock) are next!

Ray

sfdrrfan3 Wrote: > ...  voted in by a 65 to 37 percent margin ...

Hmmm... according to my ancient abacus 65 + 37 = 102%. I guess those damn mail in ballots are outta control, just like they say...

;^)

santafe199 Wrote:
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> sfdrrfan3 Wrote: > ...  voted in by a 65 to 37
> percent margin ...
>
> Hmmm... according to my ancient abacus 65 + 37 =
> 102%. I guess those damn mail in ballots are outta
> control, just like they say...

nah...it's railroad manager math, y'know where they tell you that you need to be a 'team player' and put out more than 100 percent.

TAW

BCutter Wrote:
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> The following is way too much information but... 
> Wood dust has been long recognized as a carcinogen
> and is, in fact, listed as such on the
> International Agency for Research on Cancer (IA
> RC).  This list does not note the degree of risk
> but simply says cancer is associated with the
> compounds, etc on the list. 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_1
> _Agents_-_Carcinogenic_to_humans   I will note
> that outdoor air pollution is on the list as
> well!  Wood dust is associated with nasal and
> sinus cavity cancers.  Workers who are directly
> involved with the production of sawdust and
> particulate matter are the most at risk.  These
> do not include hobby woodworkers or folks building
> model RRs! Or loggers either!
>
> Bruce

The wood dust they're referring to on the Prop 65 Warning is the fine stuff you get when you're sanding stuff with 100 grit and above sandpaper. Especially when you're using a power sander.
Of course wearing a mask or even better, a respirator while sanding with power equipment has been recommended for a long time now.