To add to what Mark replied, they are pieces of rope hanging down that will "brush" against someone standing on top of a car (brakeman, etc) to alert them that they are approaching an overhead obstruction (bridge, etc) and must drop down to avoid hitting it.

Those "black stripes" are tell-tales. You an see the hanger bars for them just above the vertical tell-tales.

As always, great picture. I am wondering, what are those black strips all over the tracks?