signals for dummies

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Fri Aug 5 09:42:54 EDT 2016


Marty,
There was some pretty detailed signalling discussion with examples on this
list a couple years ago that you might want to look through.  With regard
to your first example, when the turnout is lined for the movement to
crossover from one main to the other, you are correct about a diverging
aspect being appropriate.  Then it depends on the occupancy state of the
succeeding blocks as to whether you want diverging clear (top arm
horizontal red and bottom arm vertical amber) or diverging approach (top
arm horizontal red and bottom arm diagonal amber).  With regard to you
station scenario, the N&W used route signalling and much of the speed
information had to be gotten from the TT for the particular route.  Thus
there are no medium this or slow that wordings associated with N&W
indications.  I am unaware of any special aspects/indications associated
with stations, so I would assume that this case would be treated the same
as other sidings.  I'll be glad to help answer any other questions you may
have on the N&W signalling subject.
Jim Cochran

On Thu, Aug 4, 2016 at 7:14 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Is there anything that translates signal aspect definitions and their
> accompanying rules into layman's turns?  I have several N&W rule books and
> employee timetables, along with charts from online, that describe the
> signal aspects and list the rules, but I don't always see how that
> translates into a particular application on my layout.  I will give you two
> examples.
>
> First, I have a double track mainline with a crossover.  Using a signal
> with two heads, I determined that green over blank was appropriate for
> staying on the main, and then guessed at red over green, which stands for
> diverging clear, was appropriate for when the trains are to crossover from
> one main to the other.
>
> Second, I have a mainline with a turnout that accesses a through passenger
> station track.  Again, when staying on the main, a basic clear signal seems
> appropriate, but what about when trains are to enter the passenger
> station?  I can find various rules that apply to red over yellow or yellow
> over yellow that seem to make sense as they reference slow speed and
> prepare to stop, but nothing specific to a station or through siding.
>
> So, does anyone have insights into these two specific example?  Is there a
> book, website, etc, that lists various scenarios (entering station, branch
> joining main, etc...) and what signal aspects and rules would apply?
> Simply reading the rules and looking at the aspect descriptions never seem
> to translate directly to various track arrangements and operating scenarios.
>
> Marty Flick
>
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