Signals Along the NJ Northeast Corridor

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I live in New Jersey near Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Most, if not all, the original three-position single color PRR signals along this route have been replaced with two-position color signals. Presumably, vertical green means proceed, diagonal yellow means caution, and horizontal red means stop.

Sometimes the diagonal yellow is flashing, and I am unsure of its meaning.

There is a second signal mounted below the main signal that consists only of (I think) three vertical white lights, presumably meant for diversions. Sometimes all three lamps are lit, occasionaly only one is lit, and there are times none are lit.

I would like to learn more about these signals, their various combinations and what they mean.

2

These are Amtrak’s E-head Color Posintion Light signals. The positions mean the same at the PRR positions, and the colors the same as the other NORAC colors.

  • Vertical Green - Clear - Proceed at Normal Speed
  • Diagonal Yellow - Approach - Proceed prepared to stop at next signal not exceeding Medium Speed
  • Horizontal Red - Stop Signal - Stop and Stay

The flashing yellow means Advance Approach - Proceed prepared to stop at SECOND signal at Limited Speed. The following signal is normally Approach.

Depending on the track configuration, the second head capable of displaying four color/positions.

My NORAC book doesn’t list and aspect with three white lamps on the second head though. Are you sure that aren’t amber? In which case they are still the PRR style heads.

  • Three vertical yellows under two horizontal reds - Medium Clear - Proceed at Medium Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then proceed at Normal Speed
  • One yellow centered under two horizontal reds - Stop and Proceed - Stop, then proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has cleared all interlocking and spring switches and the leading wheels have passed a more favorable signal.

However if they are in fact lunar white:

  • One lunar centered under two horizontal reds - Stop and Proceed
  • Two backward diagonal lunars under two horiontal reds - Restricting

Hope this is helpful,
Nick

3

If there are three vertical bulbs on the lower unit, two possibilities:

If you’re at Newark or Rahway or some other place where the PRR signals remain unchanged, then three vertical bulbs are PRR amber.

But far more common would be three bulbs consisting of a lunar-white in the center bracketed by two greens.

Some signals do have diagonal bulbs on the lower unit, too-- yellow/orange on the 7:30/1:30 diagonal and/or lunar-white on the 10:30/4:30 diagonal.

There are web sites that list the meanings of all the aspects, but haven’t got time to hunt one up right now.

4

Might as well look at http://broadway.pennsyrr.com/Rail/Signal/aspects_us_norac.html – it’s a bit confusing since the B&O color-position-lights are mixed in, but you’ll manage. Those pale-blue bulbs in rule 290 and 291 represent that slightly-bluish white known as “lunar white”. Many of these aspects are rare or nonexistent now, and some of them didn’t exist on the PRR-- PRR didn’t use flashing signals, for one thing.

5

I can now confirm that configuration.

That lower signal does have provision for both diagonal and reverse diagonal indicators, although I don’t think I have actually seen the reverse diagonal in use.

I would be most interested in any sites to which you could direct me that would contain that information.

6

Yes, that site is helpful.

7

Give us a couple examples and we can figure them out. Exactly which signals are you looking at? If it has a number plate, what’s it say?