In January of 1943 Jack Delano spent a bit of time on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad. He was observing a train crew doing some work when he noticed Brakeman Zerkel flagging the rear of his train. Sure enough, there is an approaching train down by that unique looking cantilevered signal in the distance. Though we’re in yard limits here, the rules apparently still require flag protecting your train if it’s on the mainline.

The IHB ran freight operations between Chicago, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana.