Q: In all my 74 years of looking at train tracks this is the first time I noticed a “No trespassing” stencil on the web of the rail of the Union Pacific tracks that run by my home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. I’m curious if this is standard procedure for the UP or if other railroads also use this as a warning. – Mike Pavik, Fort Dodge Iowa
A: Trespassing on railroad property isn’t only illegal, it’s dangerous. Virtually every major railroad posts no trespassing signs along its right-of-way to discourage people from using the tracks as a shortcut. However, signs are expensive. In addition, I’ve seen no trespassing signs covered with graffiti, rendering them difficult — if not impossible — to read. Others may accidentally get knocked over during maintenance-of-way projects. Sadly, there are also some over-enthusiastic individuals who steal railroad signs.
The solution to these issues is applying stencils on the rails like the one you spotted in Fort Dodge, Iowa. I’m not sure if this is a standard procedure for the UP or a way to supplement posted no trespassing signs. When I was railfanning along the UP at Clyman Junction, Wis., about 50 minutes northwest of our Brookfield, Wis., offices, I spotted stencils in the web of the rail that read “UPRR Main Trk” as shown in the image above. I also found a photo online showing similar stencils on a UP line in California.
On the Canadian National line near my house, I’ve seen stencils on the rail indicating rail weight, such as “115 NEW.” The CN also uses stencils to indicate main and passing tracks. However, instead of applying the stencils in the web of the rail, the railroad puts them in the gauge at grade crossings.
So if you’re looking to enhance the track on your model railroad, consider adding stencils to the rail. Waterslide stencil decals are available from such companies as Circus City Decals, Microscale, Smokebox Graphics, among others. Adding them to the rail may take some patience, but it will give the track on your layout a contemporary look.
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