European Railroad Discussion > Ukrainian Crossing Guard Book

A write up in the Washington Post about an upcoming photo book profiling the flag women of Ukraine’s railroads and their charming trackside shanties.

The Post calls them “traffic controllers” but wouldn’t the American term be flaggers or crossing guards?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/2020/05/01/meet-female-railroad-traffic-controllers-living-quirky-houses-alongside-ukraines-railroad-system/?itid=hp_visual-stories-8-12_no-name%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

Jeff Bezos, net worth around $150 billion, wants $29 from me to access the article.

KevinLA Wrote:
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> A write up in the Washington Post about an
> upcoming photo book profiling the flag women of
> Ukraine’s railroads and their charming trackside
> shanties.
>
> The Post calls them “traffic controllers” but
> wouldn’t the American term be flaggers or
> crossing guards?

"Flagger" or "crossing guard" would imply to me that they actually stand down on the road and stop automobile traffic when a train comes, which is incorrect. Rather, they make sure that the crossing is kept clear and that the passing trains have no visible defects, as far as I know relaying this information to the responsible tower operator. Therefore, I'm not sure what if any American term would be appropriate (the U.S. really doesn't have such a role in its railroad system), but "traffic controller" seems reasonably close.


 

Lurch_in_ABQ Wrote:
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> Jeff Bezos, net worth around $150 billion, wants
> $29 from me to access the article.

How do you think he made that $150 Billion? You don't give anything away, that's how.

How about - 'Roll-By" attendant or inspector?

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

Most of the crossing guards seem to be of an older age or at least look it.  Back in 2004 some even had some sort of alpine looking horn they blew as the train approached.  But most of station guards seem to be mostly female and for lack of a better description...hot.  I wouldn't pay a dime to the WPO no matter what the story. 

andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Most of the crossing guards seem to be of an older
> age or at least look it.  Back in 2004 some even
> had some sort of alpine looking horn they blew as
> the train approached.  But most of station guards
> seem to be mostly female and for lack of a better
> description...hot.  I wouldn't pay a dime to the
> WPO no matter what the story. 

So true.

Nice article.  

I've been through Ukraine 3 times, but didn't know that the crossing attendants lived in the cottages.  It makes sense, as the cottages are very nicely kept up.  I was always surprised that all the houseplants would survive the winters without getting frozen if those itty bitty buildings somehow lost their heat.  And I suspect that heat in Ukraine is often a wood or coal stove.

Attendants generally have very good posture.  

Here are more links to stories about the forthcoming book, found via a Google search, if WashingtonPost doesn't come up for you.  

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/travel/ukraine-railroad-ladies.html
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/mar/27/ukraines-railroad-ladies-in-pictures
https://www.lensculture.com/articles/sasha-maslov-ukrainian-railroad-ladies
& from the publisher
ukrainian-railroad-ladies

Ted in UT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/20 10:48 by gobbl3gook.

Here's a crossing attendant shack in Mukacheve, Subcarpathian Ukraine, from last fall.  Unfortunately most of the crossing attendant is obscured by some hardware.  But you can see the yellow flag, and some good posture!  

Trainwatching in Ukraine is pretty fabulous.  My favorite place in the whole world, that I've seen thus far... 

Ted in UT 

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Also posted on March 19, with some photos by GettingShort
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?17,4979351