On the railroads, a flagman is an employee of the railroad who is assigned to protect contractors or anyone performing work on a railroad right of way. A flagman is also assigned to protect a train that has stopped on a section of track. [1]

Flagman's signals means a red flag by day and a white light at night, and fusees as prescribed in the railroad's operating rules.

A Roadway Worker In Charge (RWIC), also known as a flagman, CIC, or EIC in different locations, is responsible for ensuring the safety of individuals who are working on, or who have the potential to obstruct, the railroad right of way.

Jul 21, 2023 · The only way to pass a red absolute signal is with the dispatcher’s verbal permission or, in rare circumstances, under the protection of a flagman. (To see a glossary of signal terms, see the link at the bottom of this story.)

Sep 9, 2024 · With trains hurtling along tracks at high speeds, accidents were frequent and often catastrophic. The role of the "flagman," the term for a rear brakeman in the United States, emerged as a crucial position responsible for managing safety of the train's rear.

(i) When a train is moving on the main track at less than one-half the maximum authorized speed (including slow order limits) in that territory, flag protection against following trains on the same track must be provided by a crew member by dropping off single lighted fusees at intervals that do not exceed the burning time of the fusee.

A red flag or red light is displayed where trains must stop. When approaching a red flag or red light, the train must stop short of the red flag or red light and not proceed unless the employee in charge gives verbal permission, including the milepost location of the red flag or red light.

However, when yellow, yellow-red, or red flags or red lights are used for protection without a flagman, track bullefin, track warrant, or general order, these flags must be placed to protect all possible access to the restricted area.

The little old man, usually disfigured as the result of some long forgotten railroad accident, who tends the grade crossing and hobbles out with a red flag every time a train is due, has been replaced along the lines of the Pacific Electric Railway of Los Angeles by an electric flagman.

The blue flag indicates that the train can not be moved or coupled to another train. The orange flag indicates that a train should be prepared to stop due to conditions it will be approaching. The yellow and red flag indicates that there is a temporary speed reduction followed by a stop signal.