Fireworks on the tracks - why they put firecrackers on the railroad tracks

In pyrotechnics, in addition to fireworks and firecrackers, there are other products that are not used on holidays and to create spectacular effects. There are firecrackers needed in the railway industry.

Principle of use
Why do locomotives need dangerous things like firecrackers? These devices are called signal devices, and sometimes a lot depends on one such little thing. A signal railway firecracker is a small pyrotechnic type device. It is used in emergencies to give an audible signal to the engineer. The invention was created in the middle of the 19th century by Englishman Edward Cowper and has already saved hundreds of lives from unforeseen situations on the rails.
The body is made of metal, painted red and equipped with ignition capsules. This firecracker is attached to the rail with flat iron legs. The explosive inside the firecracker is made of ordinary gunpowder. When the driver hits it with the train, the firecracker explodes, thereby giving a loud signal for an emergency stop of the locomotive. The device is necessarily set at a distance of 1000 km so that the train has time to slow down and stop. The sound level which the signal firecracker creates is 100 dB.

Why should the driver stop is a logical question. Situations can be very different, the device is used as a warning or stop signal in very thick fog, when no light signs are visible. There may be an accident or other incident on the locomotive track, so the train is simply forced to stop, and the firecracker signal will be a warning and signal for him. When repair work is being done on the tracks, these devices are also used as a warning.

Emergency signal
To maximize the result, not one firecracker is used, but three at once. They are placed one after the other on the track at a distance of 20 m in staggered order. Firecrackers are equipped with track service workers and are available in the set of tools and means in the locomotive, usually not more than 6 pieces. This means a special accounting, they are handed over and received strictly on the record and for each requires a report. They are placed on the rails by track service workers and assistant drivers.
The train crew installs such firecrackers in case something happens on the neighboring section - the cargo being transported collapses and falls on the tracks, the train goes off the rails. Thus warns everyone about the situation.

The railroad is a serious object, in the operation of which there are strict rules. And ordinary people must also observe some rules. For example, it is strictly forbidden to pour salt on the rails.