:wideeyes::wideeyes: Guys, Can someone explain me the basis of US-Can signaling? I've found on internet several infos, but still need other explanations... So here we go : talking about modern signals, - A target can be red, yellow or green. It can also be unlighted in some cases. --> when the train gets a red target (stop) how is the signal before? yellow target? - At several places, we found 2 or more target on the same signal, for the same track. --> It seems that only one target should be "open" green/yellow at a time. Is that right? --> I understand there is always one target per direction. - end of a siding, when a train can continue his route out of the siding --> How is the signal, green (full speed) or yellow (restricted speed due to diverging switch) ? - how is the engineer informed of speed reduction (diverging route, and slower speed on switches) ? Concerning my layout : I have a double track main line that bring acces to a 2 tracks industrial area (long enough to hold long trains) should the signals from the maine line have 4 targets (2 for each main and 2 for each sidings)? I imagine 3 target is enough because acces to the indusrtial area is alway at restricted speed and it can probably be combined with a low signal.... Does all this make sense to you????
1. When a signal is red, the previous signal will be yellow telling the engineer to reduce speed and be prepared to stop at the next signal which will be red. 2. Where a track is signaled for both directions and the direction of traffic is controlled by a tower, one signal will be clear (green) and the other will display a stop indication (red). Exceptions are if it is not directionally controlled. both signal heads will display green. Then as a train approaches the signal the proper signal head will display green, but the other signal will go from green to yellow to red as the train gets into the control area of that signal. 3. A train leaving a siding should get a green or flashing green unless it is following another train and then it may be yellow. 4. Speed restrictions are indicated with metal signs or flags far enough ahead of the affected area for the engineer to bring the train down to the proper speed for the restriction or diverging point (switch). The engineer is supposed know about any speed restrictions in advance before starting out on the run. 5. Signals on double tracks that are controlled by switches between the main tracks should have two heads. The upper head for a straight route and the lower head for the diverging route. Where a train would possibly go to a second diverging route, a third signal head below the other two would be for the industry trackage and would display a yellow aspect for the second diverging route with the two upper heads displaying red.
Thanks for your answer Retsignalmtr. I think i should be able to sort all this out. can you take a look to this plan ? Is this all correct?:question: Thanks
Your diagram looks OK, though the two signals that have the three signal heads would only need a yellow and red aspects on the lower head, the yellow indicating a move into the industy trackage.
Thanks for you answers. I've changed the plan accooringly to what you wrote. Now, can i add 2 approach signals ? From what i've found, they will indicate 2 green lights when going "straight", Top green and Low yellow when switching from main1 to main2 and 2 yellows to indicate the entry in the industiral area... or should it be top red and low yellow? BTW, should be a signal when a swiching movement has pass a signal (STOP) i.e. to form a train ( back and forth on the main or to deserve a company track loacated after a signal) thanks for all your infos.
The signals that you will have near the switches have double or triple heads to indicate block occupancy or route selected. The approach signals need not have more than one head each, just green yellow and red. Where a home signal is protecting a switch to an alternate route the upper head indicates the normal route and the middle or lower head indicates the diverging route. So a clear signal for the normal route would show Green over Red or Yellow over Red. A diverging route would show Red over Green or Red over yellow. Red over Red means Stop and Stay. The signals that have the third head will display Red over Red over Yellow to indicate a movement into the industry area.
ABS or CTC? Single track or double track or dual track? Which railroad? Which district? Signaling isn't standardized. Not even on the same railroad. This above may be but not on the UP southern district.
Hi, So, CTC, Double track, CN, in Canada. I'm looking for something basic and practical... There's no need of 100% prototypical.
See if you can get your hands on the Canadian version of the UP SSI (System Special Instructions). It lists all the possible signal aspects, their indication, and any affiliated speed restriction. BTW, on the UP, red doesn't necessarily mean stop!
