I was in Glenwood Springs, Colorado just in time to see the California Zephyr’s station stop and take some pics. Anyway, after the train left the station (eastbound) it goes into Glenwood Canyon, my family and I got on Interstate 70 and followed the train somewhat through the canyon after catching up to it. I saw signals like normal on a railroad, but, in a lot of places, next to the regular signals i saw some ones that were facing the highway(parallel to the tracks). Why were they like this???
These were either brand new signals that will be rotated into place once the old ones are deactivated or they are old signals rotated out of the way after the new ones were activated.
Zach,
You maybe right,but years ago I was in the Chicago area;and they
had similar signals as described. I was told that the reason being,
was that train crews would not mistake them for the highway signals.
Especially since they were right next to the rails.(ex C & NW as I recall)
How could they be mistaked for highway signals??? you would have to turn you head 90 degrees and take your eyes off the road to see them, if ur on the train or highway
Which way are highway signals positioned?
Which way are railway signals positioned?
Put the tracks and the highway side-by-side!
And your 90 degrees difference,is exactly the reason.
Well I guess I’ve forgotten the difference between parallel,and perpendicular.
When I saw the thread, I was thinking about our (meaning CNW) signals, too. But Zach’s signal changeout answer is the correct one.
I have recently seen some instances when the new signals are just covered over (black plastic or something), which I guess would be all right as long as another signal at or near the same spot was lit.
Another thought–those horizontal CNW color-light signal arrays are getting pretty rare. You want 'em, you better start shooting!
Zach got this one…as noted a few posts prior by Mr. Hemphill.
They’re doing the same thing between Cincinnati and Ashland KY on the old C&O. Don’t know if they got the news ones working yet or not. If I’m not mistaking they are taking all the overhead signals out also. It’ s been a few weeks since I have been over there to see if any more has been done.
Brian (KY)
And here in the Lincoln yards - I keep thinking they look like signals with their heads on sideways and even commented to the driver. The way they face now, the geese can use them, but not much of anyone or anything else! But they are doing a lot of work in that area and figure they will get their heads on straight eventually!
Moo
So they face North now and will face south in the spring? the geese need to be signal controlled now? [;)][:p]
This is funny cuz we have crazy geese. The signals face south and the geese fly north - since the water they want is just a tad north of the yards. So guess the railroad has them facing the right way, at least until the water freezes! (And they are the darth vader signals, too!)
Never saw a station take pictures before…[:D]
tree68
This station is VERY talented [;)]
FThunder
Glad you have a sense of humor however a little, punctuati.on goesalong way
If possible out of service signals, being removed or not yet in service, are turned sideways so crews do not think they are active signals. If a signal is facing the line and dark, even if out of service, it is considered a failed signal and the train must observe the most restricing indication possible on a signal. Usually full stop, although in some cases a restricting move is permitted but in extremely limited cases.