Western Railroad Discussion > Red Zone Signage

Noticed some signs have been placed along the tracks in the vicinity of the diesel shop tracks...Railroad East end...near the AMTRAK depot in Roseville. These signs warn of the "Red Zone."

I understood Red Zone when crews would call the locomotive that they were entering the "Red Zone" meaning they were between the cars...coupling air hoses...putting on the FRED, etc.

Is UP declaring entire areas of real estate as "Red Zones?"

What are the operational consequences of these "red zones?"

The "Red Zone" is the gauge of the track and several feet on either side, in other words the width of an engine or rail car, the hazardous area where one would be struck by moving equipment. The "Red Zone" is there whether there are cars or locomotives present or not. The idea is to remind railroad workers of every craft of the need to be aware of the hazards of moving equipment when they're on, near, or approaching a track, which is the purpose of the signage. As you mentioned, train and engine crews use the term on the radio to indicate that a crew member is about to go in between cars to perform work.

RPM