What is a sidecar? (Personnel Clearance)

[RenegadeMonster]

I noticed all raised platforms at passenger stations have signage about warning/caution "side car will not clear".


What is a side car and why do they have to have this signage at every raised platform?

[Trinnau]

This is usually "Will not clear man on side of car" - meaning a conductor riding the side ladder of a freight car (or the exterior of a passenger car for some reason) will not be safe passing this location. So an alert conductor, if they forget their physical location and ride the wrong side of the car, can take action to prevent getting themselves broadsided and seriously injured or potentially killed. Such signage is required anywhere this kind of obstruction exists, like high-level platforms. It's common at loading docks and warehouses too, but the riding public doesn't see them.

[mtuandrew]

Mod Note: moved to General Discussion: Operations since this is broader than just passenger rail.