Durring the early to mid 1950’s, which Which west USA railraod used approach lighting?
Did the Santa Fe, Union Pacific, D&RGW and Southern Pacific use approach lighting and was this used all over their main lines or only in certain parts, if so what parts?
What is approach lighting?
Bob Boudreau
For Bob, approach lighting (signal) is a signal indicating to approach the next signal or block at a certain speed. here’s a web site to help maybe. www.railroad-signaling.com Ken
PLEASE DON’T QUOTE ME ON THIS… THIS IS RECALL AND I DON’T HAVE THE PHOTOCOPIES AVAILABLE…
As far as I recall some of the passing places way out in the middle of the USA were equipt with light signals that only showed a light toward an approaching train when a treadle was tripped by the approaching train (at a distance that would light the signal early enough to do its job). This was an arrangement to save power in early electric signalling equipment. I don’t know how much it was used or how long it lasted.
I guess that it could have been called “approach lighting”.
I would be surprised if it lasted long.
Thanks! It was the “lighting” that threw me off. If the post had used “signaling” it would have been much more clear.
Bob Boudreau
‘Approach’ lighting has been used for many years(liong before the 50’s) and is still used today. The reason is to save battery life/lamp life. With approach lighting, the actual signal does not light up until a train is ‘on the circuit’ approaching the signal. This is very handy for railfans to tell if there is a train nearby! Once railroads started replacing semaphore with color light or searchlight signals, it use became very common. The ex-CB&Q line between Savanna and St Paul used them, and and anther reason was since the line was right next to the Mississippi River, the signal system would not confuse river traffic(navigation lights). The ex-GN line between the Twin Cities and Superior also was approach lighted.
Jim
Guess I got my lights and signals crossed up here. Sorry, Ken