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Re: (erielack) Speaking of radios & Speed Signs
- Subject: Re: (erielack) Speaking of radios & Speed Signs
- From: Dlw1el2_@_aol.com
- Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 21:57:02 EDT
In a message dated 4/22/2005 7:45:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Charles_Walsh_@_Berlex.com writes:
What about permanent speed restriction signs for speed restricted curves?
The DL&W used them throughout their system with a black rectangular metal
sign market with the speed limit at that point --e.g., 65--cut out of the
metal, for visibility day or night. If another speed restriction occurred
within 2(?) miles, a second diamond-shaped yellow marker (showing the
second speed restriction) was placed above the black marker. In
situations, such as on the NJ Cut-Off, where there were long stretches
without any speed restrictions, a single yellow market was placed in
advance of the actual speed restriction--it was a fixed distance, but I'd
have to consult an old employee timetable to confirm the exact
distance--and then a single black marker was placed at the actual start of
the permanent speed restriction. This was a simple and elegant way to post
the speed limits and I wonder why these signs weren't maintained or
replaced over time post-EL.
To All
Just some thoughts!
I don't think distance came into play here. If the next change of speed was
a 1/4 mile away or 5 miles away, the yellow diamond was informing (
reminding ) you of it. If there is a posting of a set distance for a single yellow
diamond, please advise..
Some of the reasons for not keeping this system up to snuff, was that the RR
was constantly changing. A forty mile an hour curve one year might be a 35
MPH curve the next. Then you get into who was speeding and who wasn't via
what authority and why wasn't the speed sign corrected, etc etc. I believe
these signs were not meant to convey authority, just act as reminders. Time
Tables and Bulletin Orders conveyed authority. Just not having additional (
surplus ) signs probable also added to territory's not being kept up snuff.
Also track gang foremen probable had many other pressing needs, than to
worry about reminder speed sign correctness. Probable ripping the sign out was
more convenient than trying to keep it correct for the track dept.
What's interesting, is these old Lackawanna signs are not mentioned in any
old Lackawanna Rule books, but are very clearly described on page 59 of the
Black 1964 Erie Lackawanna book of Rules. Maybe it was a given on the
Lackawanna, but something the EL officials figured they better get in writhing for ex
Erie people to understand since there were hundreds of them out there? If
someone finds a reference to them in an old Lackawanna book please advise.
Maybe I missed it?
Did any of these get placed in former Erie Territory after the merger?
Bob Bahrs
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