R
ailways use flags to designate particular types of trains,
and for maintenance-of-way safety. Most modelers are
aware of the white flags flown on the front of engines
to designate extras, and the green
flags flown on engines to des-
ignate a second section follow-
ing. However, there are five main
Maintenance flags - 1
2. Simulated tie-mounted blue flag on team track.
2
types of maintenance-of-way safety flags that are used wher-
ever necessary on a railway.
The explanations are general only, and do not cover all circum-
stances. These are the rules that we, as modelers, can easily
incorporate into our modeling and operations. I’ve deliber-
ately left out the distances in most of the rules that the flags
must be placed before a hazard, as most modelers would not
be able to replicate the scale two-mile distance required. I have
made reference to the current Canadian Rail Operating Rules
(CROR) which for all intents and purposes are the same as the
General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) used in the United
States. The Uniform Code of Operating Rules (UCOR) preceded
the CROR and GCOR and were usually modified to represent
M a i n t e n a n c e
F
l a g s
a n d
S
i g n s
Lead photo. Simulated
rail-mounted blue flag
on the team track.
Add interest to your op sessions by simulating
prototype maintenance indications ...
– Roy Buchanan
Photos by the author
MRH-Dec 2014
