Tell-tales before tunnels, bridges

[NW Mailing List]

I was walking along the New River Trail near the old tunnel near
Austinville; there is a restored tell-tale before the tunnel, with an
informational sign for visitors with a description of tell-tales and why
they were used. What was interesting was that the sign quoted N&W rules
which stated that a tell-tale must be used for any overhead obstruction such
as a bridge or a tunnel that was "less than 72 feet above the rail head".
Why 72 feet? I could understand 20 feet or even 30 feet, but 72 above the
railhead? Is this correct, and if so, does anybody have any more info about
this? Just curious,

 

Thanks.

 

Mike Weeks, 
Charlotte, NC

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