White poles at NS bridges?

[Hotbox]

For those of you in the know, what is the purpose of the white, 6" pipes sunk in the ground at each end of NS's bridges locally. they stand like posts perhaps 4 foot high

I've seen them on the former Wabby from the St Mary's river bridge, all the way down town

[Notch 8]

If it is only on 1 side of the bridge but on both end of the bridge it could be to indicate a buried communication cable, Just a guess.

Mike

[Hotbox]

Certainly a good possibility. It's surprising that they would use a pipe of such large diameter just as a marker.

And, the pipes, while as you say are on only one side, at each end of the respective bridges, but they change the side of the main they are located on (from bridge to bridge) , and it just seemed improbable that they would want the buried cables passing under the tracks

[1sttenn]

It is my understanding that they are to mark the end of bridges. This provides a visual indicator so conductors or others know where the bridges are. If covered in snow some of the small bridges edges are hidden and it can be easy to step off the right of way. They are on all of the smaller bridges and culverts from Ft. Wayne to Bellevue. IIRC they are on most if not all of the bridges on the New Castle District also.

[Wayne Gest]

I think that placing white poles at each end of a bridge is something that the Southern side has done since well before the N&W/SOU merger. Must have finally made it a systemwide policy.

[Notch 8]

A white marker would be hard to see with snow on the ground ?

[CIOR]

I think that placing white poles at each end of a bridge is something that the Southern side has done since well before the N&W/SOU merger. Must have finally made it a systemwide policy.

I asked this and was told it was due to a conductor falling off a small bridge someplace years ago and would go system wide as they could do it.
I once saw a brakeman fall down the ballast and almost into the creek west of Cargill at Tipton. All I could see was the lantern and heard him cussing til he stopped.

[JW]

I think that placing white poles at each end of a bridge is something that the Southern side has done since well before the N&W/SOU merger. Must have finally made it a systemwide policy.

I asked this and was told it was due to a conductor falling off a small bridge someplace years ago and would go system wide as they could do it.
I once saw a brakeman fall down the ballast and almost into the creek west of Cargill at Tipton. All I could see was the lantern and heard him cussing til he stopped.

Reminds of a brakie back in '67.He fell from last step on a moving covered wagon up at Colehour on the Pennsy.This was in the winter and was an ice build up on the steps. On the North side there is long tapered ballast hill but luckily still quite aways from Lake Michigan.Took quite awhile to get back to the top with a strong wind off the lake and -15 degrees.Now I see why they stop to let you on or off,very dangerous job.

JW