**DC** In the near future, mainly due from pressure coming from the kitchen, she wants to see some lights working at the turnouts, blocks, ditch, etc. Since we are at the sub terran stage of scenics, its probably time to start the planning, so all that needs to be covered up will be ready. I'm still laying track around the turntable and backshops. She is a major player in the design of this pike, but her patience is a little nitro at times. She still bragging about hand painting 200 n-scale figures with 5 colors each 10 years ago. ( I really did appreciate ) Now I can't even see them but I don't tell her that.......... she does a good job people say. Love my conductor Sam/ Wife ! Bet many can't say that ? Anyways, it's the holidays and no work tomorrow. Rain. Please remember, I know very little concerning proper operation of RR light signals. Red means stop ? ??? ?? ? Any help would be a nice present. Merry Christmas, Cliff & Sam **DC**
Not being sure what kind of signals you're talking about, I'll provide some examples with an assumption of two lights, one above the other: Green over Red: Clear, proceed Yellow over Yellow: Advance Approach, proceed at reduced speed Red over Green: Diverging Clear, proceed on diverging route Flashing Yellow over Red: Approach Medium, proceed at reduced speed Yellow over Red: Approach, proceed at reduced speed prepared to stop before next signal Red over Flashing Yellow: Diverging Approach Medium, reduced speed on diverging route Red over Yellow: Approach Diverging, reduced speed on diverging prepared to stop Red over Red: Stop These are from the MoPac Uniform Code of Operating Rules, June 2, 1968. If you can't use that exactly, perhaps it'll give you some ideas...and hopefully others will chime in!
Each prototype railroad has their clearance standards, which work pretty well when scaled down to whatever scale you're building. I model the U.P. in the 1950's and I've located clearance standards for their signal bridges, signal towers, grade crossings, tunnels (both low and high pressure tubes), etc., etc. If you're not modeling a specific prototype, then use the NMRA Clearance Gage Mark whatever and make sure all of your signals, signs, crossings etc., don't touch the "gage" when it's on the track. On sharp curves you'll have to add space because of car overhang in the middle and ends. As for ditch lights, I can't say since they are way too modern for me. Here's a photo of a superdetailed Traincat U.P. cantilever signal bridge I built and installed on my good friend Nate's (Nato) layout using the NMRA Clearance Gage.
Here's a website with North American prototype signalling information. Hope it helps. http://http://www.lundsten.dk/us_signaling/
Standard placement for signals is to the right of the track, or above it, as seen by the engineer. Typically a block is supposed to be long enough to hold the longest train, although placement is far from always being this precise. At sidings you will typically have a two-headed signal facing the single track section showing aspects as Eagle2 described above so the engineer knows if he is entering the siding (diverging route) or staying on the main. As the train approaches the far end of the siding the engineer will see two single heads, one for the siding and one for the main, but will only pay attention to the one for the track he is on. This is typical for a simple siding, more complicated track arrangements will have more complicated signals. Merry Christmas!
I almost forgot, outstanding detail Robert ! Superman Eyes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Happy New Years , Cliff
