For different RR companies, like UP, BNSF, NS, CSX and also independent shortlines, what is the difference of the type of mainline signal lights that each uses? I see some are round, some are oblong etc.
I suppose including yard lights also would be related.
Is there one electrical signal manufacturer who makes signals for all the different RR companies?
I’m talking about late 20th centruy, early 21st century…(1960s to now)
There are multiple companies that have made rr signals. The current trend is color light signals. The ‘searchlight’ signal was sort of gone away(the moving ‘vane’ that switched the colors is a maintainence item). There are many types of signals(rr specific) and two major rulebooks that list these signals(NORAC & GCOR).
Jim
You say RR specific; so there is no universaly accepted system from one RR to the next?
I thought there was a national, industry wide accepted color and color combination system by all railroads?
Seems like this would make things confusing since railroad companies travel on each others tracks.
what about shortline independent RRs?
this Railroad Signal Timeline describes the evolution of signal on various railroads in response to accidents during a time when telegraphs and other forms of commuication were also being developed. And while various methods started to converge, the railroads continued to install older equipment, standard/compatible on that particular railroads. It would be expensive to replace a working system with something different. Engineers on a particular railroad were trained for the signaling system on that railroad.
Like many of us, we didn’t replace our vinyl albums or tapes when CDs came out.
Fortunately automobile traffic signals benefitted from this evolution and automobile traffic signals are common. Red means stop and green means go comes from the Railroads.
Of course today, railroad signals less critcal.
So then when a NS crew has to travel on UP tracks (which I’ve seen), they have to be trained on understanding UPs signal system and vice versa?
Nope, even railroads with the same rule book may hve different signal arrangements. As older systems are replaced they are getting more consistent.
Especially where roads with route signals meet roads with speed signals.
They ususally inherited a signal system from the class one that owned the track before them (and most short lines aren’t signalled) so they inherit the variations also.
[/quote]
What you have probably seen is a NS LOCOMOTIVE on UP tracks with a UP crew that is familiar with the UP territory they are operating in (which involves a lot more than being familiar with the type of signal used.) Unlike signals, locomotive controls are pretty well standardized so there isn’t much of a learning curve in going from one railroad’s cab to another.
When one railroad’s trains are detoured over another railroad’s tracks, run by the guest railroad’s crew, they have to have a, ‘Pilot,’ an engineer from the host railroad who is qualified to run the route.
Individual engineers are qualified on specific routes and districts. It is unlikely that an engineer running UP from Omaha to Cheyenne is quialified to take the same train over Donner Pass.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
In Canada all railways use CROR. While US railways may have different terminology and specifics, the major signalling concepts and systems are the same throughout North America.
Yes.
Outside of the signal department that maintains the signals, the signal type (color light, searchlight, etc) doesn’t really matter to those working the trains. What matters is what the signal displays and the meaning it conveys. In the Omaha/Council Bluffs area on the UP you can see a mix of color light, searchlight and even dwarf signals along the main track. Almost all are at control points. A red over yellow means the same thing on all three types, Diverging Approach.
All the different styles in use means is what type of signal was in vogue on various railroads when the signals were installed, or in the case of the dwarf type, what type would fit the signal location.
Jeff
A ARF can also double as a pilot as long as he is qualified and has the required up to date throttle time.