In case you missed it, a bridge between Newark and New York Penn station caught fire yesterday, seriously interrupting Amtrak NEC traffic. Specifically, it was the wooden pilings around one of the piers; the pilings act as fenders to keep barges from hitting the bridge. We learn that the bridge is undamaged, but, according to the AP: " The reduced speeds were necessary because the fire Thursday night heavily damaged signal systems over the
bridge that tell trains whether it is safe to proceed or not, said NJ Transit spokesman Ken Hitchner."
Were these the regular signalling systems, or are there special signals guarding bridges?
Probably both…
No thise are regular signals. I ride the train there all the time from Philly to Penn Station
Well, yes and no – they are regular signals (absolute), but they are interlocked with the movable points on the bridge so that they display stop unless the points are properly in place, meaning the bridge is properly closed and all – and, of course, they are also part of the ‘regular’ signal system as well (and the distants will display stop and proceed if these guys display stop)