Signal Head

[NW Modeling List]

I was not aware that the Pennsy ever converted any lines to color position light signals.  When we lived in Ohio during  the 70's (Canton with the PC former Pennsy Ft Wayne mainline through the city) all the signals were amber PL' s.  This was true also on the C&P all other ex-Pennsy lines throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania where I railfaned.  When I go to the Pittsburgh area on business currently,  the former Pennsy lines have a combination of several types of signals including CPL's and amber PL's.  There were changes under Conrail but they weren't consistent.  NS seems to have added to the variations in types since it took over.

Ed Painter;   Narrows, VA currently living in Russellville, AR

From: nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org [mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Modeling List
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 4:36 PM
To: 'NW Modeling List'
Subject: RE: Signal Head

Mr. Mulhearn:  The wreck at Sardinia, Ohio on Easter in 1958 was the 'straw that broke the camel's back' regarding the change to color position lights.  Over a period of time some questions had been raised by others and the railroad as to the safety of the PL's, PL's being subject to potential misinterpretation in difficult visibility.   So shortly after the finalization of the report on this accident, the N&W started to convert the PL's to CPL's.  Lot of signals to change over- took about one year.

As to the PRR's use of all amber PL's in electrified territory and CPL's in diesel territory, where did you ever hear of that?  Please review that resource.  My resources show that the PRR always used PL's in amber.

Gary Rolih
Secretary N&WHS



________________________________
From: nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org [mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Modeling List
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 1:02 PM
To: NW Modeling List
Subject: RE: Signal Head

Mr Nichols; Thanks for you answer. I am modeling the N&W circa 1968 and NS circa 2000 (not both at the same time!) and for as long as I have been chasing the N&W, since about 1985, I note that the amber lights had been replaced with red, green and amber in the position light signals. Does anyone know what time frame that change was made in? I do know that the Pennsy used all amber in electrified territory and red, green and amber in diesel territory; but again, not sure when the change was made. Thanks. Dan Mulhearn

Dan and Nina Mulhearn; Pipestem WV
dannina1 at earthlink.net<mailto:dannina1 at earthlink.net>
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.

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