I am considering adding dwarf signals to my HO scale layout. Where would be a location that a prototype would use them?
Dwarf signals are used where there isn’t enough room for a high signal. Some dwarf signals, like the Pennsy’s, can only display slow speed. Others, like the B&O’s and Reading’s can display all ranges of speeds.
Nick
Most dwarf signals were found in yard ladder tracks because of the limited space they were used in a lot of yards. There aren’t too many used today so if you are modeling modern equipment than I wouldn’t install them.
The last dwarf signals I ever saw were positioned within the yard tracks at Deming N.M. (The old SP now UP’s RR Sunset route) and the dwarf signals were not in operation at the time…chuck
Reading Company used these at Reading Terminal where so many tracks and signals would be confusing and crowded over head. Also yards and passenger stations would sometimes see these being used.
Chris
C’mon guys - in the time of political correctness, it’s vertically challenged signals!!! If I say dwarf at work I could get fired!!![:O]
Lots of dwarf signals in the Detroit area, and they are in places with plenty of room for high signals. I suspect they are a lot cheaper to install, and maintain.
Dwarf signals are almost entirely used where there is insufficient clearance for a mast-type signal. They first found extensive application in interlockings, beginning in the early 20th century when color-light type signal heads were perfected. Previously, when all that was available was semaphores, if someone had wanted to install signals and there wasn’t room for a mast, an overhead signal bridge was installed, or track centers spread, or the signals set back far enough so that track centers had diverged sufficiently. But usually in a terminal area the two latter options aren’t attractive so a signal bridge was used.
The other factor at work is that until the 1960s, signals could only be placed by law to the right side of the track, right side if you are facing the signal. That practice originally started because the engineman was the only person in the cab looking forward – the fireman was supposed to have his head down shoveling coal – and a signal on the left side would be obscured by the boiler. Later the ICC enshrined that practice in law, and did not abolish it until after the advent of dieselization and the loss of original function in the fireman and head-end brakeman’s jobs made them into lookouts. After the change, the ICC permitted what is called “field-side” signaling where all signals can be placed on one side of the track, usually the side that had the pole line (but now it can be either side because pole lines are no longer required).
(Note on definitions – a color-light is ANY signal that uses colored lens in front of a lamp to provide an indication. Searchlights, position lights, and color position lights are types of color lights.)
Dwarf signals were uncommon outside of interlockings because in single-track automatic block signal applications generally there were just two signals at the end of a siding, just beyond the switch points, thus no clearance issues and no right-hand issues. With current-of-traffi
Thanks, RWM. Very interesting reading.
Ed
In Canada, you would find them in yards, diesel shop tracks, leaving sidings and at junctions with spurs. Probably more locations then that, they are still very common today.
Dang it you people are insensitive.
They like to be called “little” signals.
Next you’ll all be advocating dwarf signal-tossing.