Men with flags

[Big Chris]

Quick question: As I walked to work just before 12 there were two network rail dudes in orange jackets with chequered flags standing beside the lines any ideas what they would be doing/ what the flags would be for?

 

[37401]

im sure the flag is to show the end of a temp speed restriciton when NR staff are working on the track but im not 100% on that one

 

[Railsigns]

The chequered flag is waved by the advance lookout to warn the site lookout that a train is approaching. The site lookout acknowledges this by waving a similar flag.

 

[Aictos]

Not my area but from the description, they sound like look outs for staff working on or near the line ie when a train approaches they warn the staff before returning to a point of safety.

I'm sure the guys on here who deal with that side of work can give a even more detailed note if need be.

 

[TDK]

Not my area but from the description, they sound like look outs for staff working on or near the line ie when a train approaches they warn the staff before returning to a point of safety.

I'm sure the guys on here who deal with that side of work can give a even more detailed note if need be.

They are most certainly look outs, the flag is used for visibility at distance on a long sweeping curve with a higer linespeed you can see 3 or sometimes 4 advanced lookouts with chequered flags.

 

[455driver]

im sure the flag is to show the end of a temp speed restriciton when NR staff are working on the track but im not 100% on that one

Wrong, as everybody else has said they are advanced lookouts for workers further around the corner.
When the lookout sees a train approaching he waves the flag, when the train is clear the flag is held steady to signify that work can recommence. The only significance to a driver is to sound the horn when he sees the look-out.

 

[Trog]

They are most certainly look outs, the flag is used for visibility at distance on a long sweeping curve with a higer linespeed you can see 3 or sometimes 4 advanced lookouts with chequered flags.

These days you are only allowed one advanced and one intermediate look out in each direction.

 

[adamp]

Sounds like the guy with a flag is acting as the lookout.
A brief idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ubrB41XrA

 

[Aictos]

Wrong, as everybody else has said they are advanced lookouts for workers further around the corner.
When the lookout sees a train approaching he waves the flag, when the train is clear the flag is held steady to signify that work can recommence. The only significance to a driver is to sound the horn when he sees the look-out.

Quite right, please note as well that the correct sign to indicate the end of a Temporary Speed Restriction is:

Many Thanks to the Rail Signs site.

 

[Railsigns]

Quite right, please note as well that the correct sign to indicate the end of a Temporary Speed Restriction is:

Many Thanks to the Rail Signs site.

You're welcome, and please note that direct linking ('hot-linking') to images on the Railsigns site isn't possible!

 

[455driver]

Quite right, please note as well that the correct sign to indicate the end of a Temporary Speed Restriction is:

Many Thanks to the Rail Signs site.

One of these-
http://anoraksia.ukgeeks.co.uk/p64294483.html

 

[TDK]

These days you are only allowed one advanced and one intermediate look out in each direction.

2 in each direction?

 

[Big Chris]

thanks for the help that is without doubt what I saw

 

[chappers]

2 in each direction?

You can deploy a maximum of 5 lookouts. 1 Intermediate and 1 Distant in each direction, and 1 site lookout.