White triangles hanging on OHLE

[Bletchleyite]

A couple of days ago I noticed smallish (maybe a few inches across) white triangles hanging on the OHLE support wires (the ones that join the masts) near Wilmslow on the WCML, maybe a couple of feet apart.

What is the purpose of these? Are they to make them more visible to aircraft approaching Manchester Airport perhaps?

 

[swt_passenger]

Bird scarers? They’re mentioned in passing in Gary Keenor’s electrification guide, hanging from the aerial earth wire.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Are they to make them more visible to aircraft approaching Manchester Airport perhaps?

By the time pilots were close enough to see them I doubt they would have time to take evasive action, especially if they were flying just a few feet from the ground at the time.

There are multi-coloured things hanging from the OHLE between Stratford and Tottenham Hale as well. I saw them years ago and always wondered.

 

[Supercoss]

Yellow triangles = bare feeder cable , could they be weathered ; sun light faded yellow plastic ?

 

[jfollows]

A couple of days ago I noticed smallish (maybe a few inches across) white triangles hanging on the OHLE support wires (the ones that join the masts) near Wilmslow on the WCML, maybe a couple of feet apart.

What is the purpose of these? Are they to make them more visible to aircraft approaching Manchester Airport perhaps?

And Wilmslow doesn’t get aircraft, fortunately, because of the orientation of Manchester’s runways. It’s unusual to hear them, let alone see them.

 

[Falcon1200]

If these are on a viaduct over water they are likely to be to help swans avoid crashing into the overheads!

 

[Bald Rick]

A couple of days ago I noticed smallish (maybe a few inches across) white triangles hanging on the OHLE support wires (the ones that join the masts) near Wilmslow on the WCML, maybe a couple of feet apart.

What is the purpose of these? Are they to make them more visible to aircraft approaching Manchester Airport perhaps?

As others have said, they are to help stop swans landing on the line. Apparently swans find it difficult to differentiate between a railway line and a river. (How ornithologists ascertained that, I don’t know!) But this helps.

 

[snowball]

I thought there was another fairly recent thread, and now I've found it.

Random question. What is this for?

It looks like reflectors. It's by the bridge over the river in Bedford. Near the sidings/depot. Are they reflectors? If so what are they used for?

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Dr Hoo]

I was always told that the triangles marked ‘bare feeder’ that might remain live even when nearby catenary had been isolated and earthed.

The reflective discs for swan deterrence are quite separate.

 

[Railsigns]

Are these triangles at the neutral section north of Chelford? Per post #4, they indicate a bare feeder.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are these triangles at the neutral section north of Chelford? Per post #4, they indicate a bare feeder.

Could have been there, yes. Wilmslow was a vague location. Thanks.