Rubber railroad buggy bumpers?

While running some old scenarios on the Hagen to Siegen route during the past couple of days, I've noticed these on yard tracks here and there:

Aren't they end-of-siding bumpers? Does their presence in the middle of sidings signal a protest by DB workers? Fortunately, an engine can run right through them with no damage to engine or bumpers!

Aren't they end-of-siding bumpers? Does their presence in the middle of sidings signal a protest by DB workers? Fortunately, an engine can run right through them with no damage to engine or bumpers!