Speaking Signaleze: Difference between revisions

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  |Ah, a clear track. "Proceed." This means at least the next tow blocks are clearn. (No "Smokies," either!)
  |Ah, a clear track. "Proceed." This means at least the next tow blocks are clearn. (No "Smokies," either!)
  |[[File:Signal Proceed Green Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Proceed Green Red.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Proceed Green.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Proceed Green.png]]
  |-
  |-
  |"Approach" is saying that the next signal will probably be "stop", so slow down and be ready!
  |"Approach" is saying that the next signal will probably be "stop", so slow down and be ready!
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow Red.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow Red Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Approach Yellow Red Red.png]]
  |-
  |-
  |"Stop!" (Enough said?)
  |"Stop!" (Enough said?)
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red Red.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red Red Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Stop Red Red Red.png]]
  |-
  |-
  |"Approach medium", Close! once in a blue moon, if the blocks are exceptionally short or speeds are high, "Approach medium" will give you two blocks warning before a stop.
  |"Approach medium", Close! once in a blue moon, if the blocks are exceptionally short or speeds are high, "Approach medium" will give you two blocks warning before a stop.
  |[[File:Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green Red.png]]
  |}
  |}
Line 53: Line 59:
  |Shall we call it "Diverging Clear?" We shall, and so do the railroads! 30 mph and at least two clear blocks
  |Shall we call it "Diverging Clear?" We shall, and so do the railroads! 30 mph and at least two clear blocks
  |[[File:Signal Diverging Clear Red Green.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Diverging Clear Red Green.png]]
|<i>or</i>
  |[[File:Signal Diverging Clear Red Green Red.png]]
  |[[File:Signal Diverging Clear Red Green Red.png]]
  |}
  |}
</center>
</center>
But what if the next signal is "Stop?"
<center>
{|
| Yep, you guessed it! "Diverging Approach Medium" ... "medium speed" (now) approaching stop (next signal).
|[[File:Signal Diverging Approach Medium Red Yellow.png]]
|<i>or</i>
|[[File:Signal Diverging Approach Medium Red Yellow Red.png]]
|}
</center>
But wait a minute! They gave us some warning before a redboard, so why not some warning before a medium speed route, too? (Gotta start dumping the air in advance, you know.)

Revision as of 22:06, 23 August 2024

by Denis M. Larrick

From Modeltec, February 1991

Who among us has not at one time felt, if not totally ignorant, then at least selectively stupid when standing alongside the "big kids" tracks, attempting to decode the intentions of the signal department? Now, this is not a guide to the twenty zillion variations peculiar to individual railroads, but a simple list of the most common standard signals, providing that authentic aspects aren't beyond the average miniature coal-slinger and, in fact, could be quite practical and colorful along our tiny trials. There are only two simple rules to remember.

  1. Unless a signal is all red (meaning STOP), the color red is just a place keeper, saying, "don't look at me, stupid, look at the other lights!"
  2. American signals show speed, not routing. You will find out where you are going when you get there! If a mast has more than one head, the top head permits you normal rulebook speed. The second head restricts you to travelling "medium" speed (30 mph) ... may times (but not always) a diverging route through a switch. if a third head is used, it will indicate a slow speed (15 mph) route, such as a tight curve through a wye, a string of switches coming up, etc.

Not too tough, eh? Now let's jus pretend we're out on the high iron ...

Ah, a clear track. "Proceed." This means at least the next tow blocks are clearn. (No "Smokies," either!) Signal Proceed Green Red.png or Signal Proceed Green.png
"Approach" is saying that the next signal will probably be "stop", so slow down and be ready! Signal Approach Yellow.png or Signal Approach Yellow Red.png or Signal Approach Yellow Red Red.png
"Stop!" (Enough said?) Signal Stop Red.png or Signal Stop Red Red.png or Signal Stop Red Red Red.png
"Approach medium", Close! once in a blue moon, if the blocks are exceptionally short or speeds are high, "Approach medium" will give you two blocks warning before a stop. Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green.png or Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green Red.png

So, traveling down the tracks, we might see:

Signal Proceed Green Red.png then Signal Advance Approach Yellow Green.png then Signal Approach Yellow Red.png then Signal Stop Red Red.png

OK, so far, so good. Suppose we just fantasize for a moment that the turkey in the tower is going to put us in "the hole" so a hotshot can fly by. To go through the diverging route of the switch we will need a "medium" speed indication, right? How about...

Shall we call it "Diverging Clear?" We shall, and so do the railroads! 30 mph and at least two clear blocks Signal Diverging Clear Red Green.png or Signal Diverging Clear Red Green Red.png

But what if the next signal is "Stop?"

Yep, you guessed it! "Diverging Approach Medium" ... "medium speed" (now) approaching stop (next signal). Signal Diverging Approach Medium Red Yellow.png or Signal Diverging Approach Medium Red Yellow Red.png

But wait a minute! They gave us some warning before a redboard, so why not some warning before a medium speed route, too? (Gotta start dumping the air in advance, you know.)

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