Rule 26 - Inspection and Repair Protection A blue flag or blue light, displayed at one or both ends of an engine, car or train, indicates that workmen are under or about it, when thus protected, it must not be coupled to or moved. Other equipment must not be placed on the same track so as to intercept the view of the blue signals, without notifying the workmen. Each class of workmen will display the blue signals and the same workmen are alone authorized to remove them. Well, since many of us don’t have operating brakes on our equipment, we use bricks or other debris to keep our consists from moving when not attached to an engine. While visiting the IPP&WRR, I found the common use of LGB yellow end of track snap on fitting as derailers. The epiphany hit like a Canadian Beer on a hot summer day as I realized the perfect “Blue Flag” was sitting piled in drawers at the KVRwy. Today, Jon brought up using “the brick” as a brake. I’ve done it many times, but now carry blue flags and have them stationed around strategic portions of the layout for derailers, brakes or whatever it take to keep the cars from moving. And so goes the unoffered advice to Jon on another way to do it. Of course, I guess many of you guys don’t have these “Blue Flags” laying around. Should I offer them for $5 a piece or $12 for 3 in the classifieds? Here’s my advice to Jon (man this is like instant replay) - May I offer a tool you might have around the shop. Now granted it won’t hold like a brick, but it fits in your pocket easier.
We use them to set the brakes or “Blue Flag” a unit that isn’t suppose to move until cleared.
Works good in wood, if you predrill some holes, and in the dirt and ballast, except when frozen. You might have a couple of these laying around.