In 1972 I was on a BN track
gang out of Downers Grove. We were policing up tie plates and spikes
to finish out the week after replacing the ties on track 3 out to
Eola. My job was to make sure everyone was clear of the tracks
for approaching trains. An eastbound freight on track 3 was the first
one to appear but the headlight was not on. A horn blow from our truck
cleared the crew off the tracks. As the lead unit rolled by I pointed
to the headlight, then to my eye and shook my head. Apparently this
was the the wrong railroad hand signal -- this was a summer job for me and
appropriate hand signals were not required training for track gangs -- it
was met with a blank stare from the fireman. Assuming it was equipment
failure and not negligence what's the rule when the lead unit doesn't have a
working
headlight?