Signals between New Haven and Boston

[RayG8]

Does anyone have a good source that discusses these signals and also offer  Amtraks definition of Medium LImited and Restricted speed?

[rcdrye]

Amtrak operates using the NORAC rulebook.  Except as modified by the Amtrak Employee timetable, it should give you what you need.  Most of the NEC north of New Haven is rule 261 CTC with lineside signals but there are some stretches (about a third of the distance btw New Haven ad Boston) of rule 562 with only cab signals between interlockings. The NORAC definition of speeds:

Normal Speed: the maximum authorized speed.

Limited Speed: For passenger trains, not exceeding 45 MPH; for freight trains, not exceeding 40 MPH.

Medium Speed: Not exceeding 30 MPH.

Slow Speed: Not exceeding 15 MPH.

Restricted Speed: see rule 80

 

[Dutchrailnut]

East of New haven (no north/south) Amtrak uses ACSES and uses more aspects than listed by previous poster.

[rcdrye]

Amtrak does use more aspects in cab signals than on lineside signals.  The original posting asked for speed definitions for specific speed names and lineside signal aspects.  The NORAC rules do list a mapping between cab signal and lineside aspects, as well as conditions under which they apply. 

[Anonymous]

RayG8

Does anyone have a good source that discusses these signals and also offer  Amtraks definition of Medium LImited and Restricted speed?

 

 

The NORAC rulebook (used by many eastern railroads including Amtrak and the railroad where I work) gives the following instructions:

 

Limited Speed: 45 mph passenger, 40 mph freight

Medium Speed: 30 mph

Slow Speed: 15 mph

Restricted Speed: (Refer to Rule 80, “Movement at Restricted Speed.”)

 

80. Movement at Restricted Speed

 

Movements made at Restricted Speed must apply the following three requirements as the method of operation:

 

Control the movement to permit stopping within one half the range of vision short of:

a. Other trains or railroad equipment occupying or fouling the track,

b. Obstructions, 

c. Switches not properly lined for movement,

d. Derails set in the derailing position,

e. Any signal requiring a stop.

 

AND 2. Look out for broken rail and misaligned track.

 

AND 3. Do not exceed 20 MPH outside interlocking limits and 15 MPH within interlocking limits. This restriction applies to the entire movement, unless otherwise specified in the rule or instruction that requires Restricted Speed.

 

-----

 

I covered a story for Trains Magazine last year (November 2014 issue) that took me out on an MBTA cab signal test train between Providence and Readville, MA. I briefly discussed cab and wayside signals, ATC, and ACSES in the video extra to the article. NEC cab footage starts at 04:30. It's not an in-depth source by any means, but it might be a good place to start.

 

In the video, the testing crew had to display all possible aspects of the cab signal system. They did this by having the dispatcher set signals to stop so we could run through all the aspects to slow us down. Here are some signal progressions we encountered:

 

1. Medium Approach (Orms interlocking, leaving Providence station)
2. Stop (Pawtucket interlocking)

 

1. Clear (Lawn interlocking)
2. Approach (Automatic 191)
3. Stop (Hebronville interlocking)

 

1. Clear (Automatic 199)
2. Cab Speed, 60 mph (Automatic 201)
3. Approach (Automatic 202)
4. Stop (Mansfield)

 

1. Clear (Automatic 210)
2. Advance Approach (Automatic 211)
3. Approach (Automatic 212)
4. Stop (Canton Junction)

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

TrainManTy

 

RayG8

Does anyone have a good source that discusses these signals and also offer  Amtraks definition of Medium LImited and Restricted speed?

The NORAC rulebook (used by many eastern railroads including Amtrak and the railroad where I work) gives the following instructions:

 

Limited Speed: 45 mph passenger, 40 mph freight

Medium Speed: 30 mph

Slow Speed: 15 mph

Restricted Speed: (Refer to Rule 80, “Movement at Restricted Speed.”)

 

[snipped - PDN.] 

See pages 76 - 99 of the rulebook linked above.  There isn't any "Medium Limited" that I could see, but a few that seem similar.