I have found what they mean, the MODERN look, need 1950’s information, BUT have not found where do you put them?[?]
I see the logic for block protection and passing siding. With 2 tracks into a throat do you desgnate one in and one out and signal according to that or is there a book that tells you design[?]
Information I would like to find is the 1950’s in the Coal region of Penn. Railroad is the Jersey Central and the area is Nanticoke, Allenton and Penobscot PA. Did they just use the PRR design or ?[?]
Have found the websites but would like more infromation on signal design and placement.
If this was a simple circle I would not worry BUT the main is 4.5 scale miles of single and double track with traffic in BOTH direction and a 12 ft and 15 ft long hiffen transition of main line that COULD cornfield very easy. We are trying to control 850 ft of track with up to 7 trains on the main and 4 more operators runing 2 freight and 2 passenger teminals.
Operation will be train order and time table.
Any help would be very nice
Thank You
George P.
The special issue of “How to Build Realistic layouts” that came out recently has an article specifically on your question. It covers pre and post 1985 requirements for placing signals.
Terry[8D]
The CNJ used a semaphore and later a block system similar to the Reading’s instead of the Pennsy’s signal system.
I believe it was CTC by the early 1950’s although I’m not completely sure on the actual date.
Try asking about this on the Classic Trains site.
Placement on your pike or the prototype has more to do with the length of the consist. 110 to 144 cars was the maximum length on a prototype in the NE but you may be modeling 30 to 40 car trains…so spacing may be ‘compressed’ as many expert modelers suggest.
HTH
Mark
Thank you both, will look for that issue. The 30-40 lehgth sgould be about correct for our main (450ft)
signaling and train protection/operation are two separate questions. On a double track main with trains operating in both directions the use of crossovers, Dc vs Dcc, sggnaling system, and other factors are involved in addition to preventing the rear ending of a stopped caboose by shining a red light…
A little history:
Plan is based on the area of Pennsy around Nanticoke, White Have Palmerton. It is all singel track main. All DCC and main line from the Allentown Yard to the Nanticoke yard is 450 ft single track. The 2 branch lines are 125 ft and 115 ft in length. There is a 30 ft long reverse loop all hidden. There is a 25 ft long tunnel from the town of Palmerton to the town of White Haven. this is all single track with travel in both directions.
This is why the signals are required.
We can run 6 trains plus have 4 other operators that is 10 shots at a WRECK.[:D]
There have been a couple of books put out about signals - various builders of signals, uses, etc. If you have a big layout and are serious about signalling it prototypically, might be a good idea to pick up a book on it.