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More B&O CPL's bite the dust
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[quote]QUOTE: not exactly true - the only place the that the PRR used the all yellow position lights was on the NEC. elsewhere, they used colored position lights much like the B&O's.[/quote] <br /> <br />Actually you are the one who is incorrect. Except for a test installation at OVERBROOK interlocking in the 50's with red lenses, the PRR did not use any colour in it's position lights. In the PC/CR era red filters were installed in the STOP position at home signals on most lines. <br /> <br />[quote]QUOTE: It's really ironic...we will have some foreign signals, while Amtrak has replaced the old PRR Position signals with COLOR POSITIONS! The old B&O men would be spinning like lathes! [/quote] <br /> <br />People need to understand that the Amtrak ColourIZED position lights have almost NOTHING in common with the B&O Colour Position system. The PRR system is a direct mapping from a standard 2-head colour light system just replacing colours with amber (later colourized) bars. The B&O Colour Position system is just that, it is a PURE position system that also employs colour. <br /> <br />The B&O CPL system is the most theoretically advanced wayside signaling system on the planet. The central head defines a plane from which the position of any of the 6 orbitals can be easily ascertained. The color provides your block occupancy information. Green = 2 clear blocks, Yellow = 1 clear block and Red/Lunar = 0 clear blocks. Unlike colour light or the PRR system you never see colour combinations like Y/G/R or R/G. Because a B&O CPL lacks the concept of multiple "heads", if you see Red AT ALL you have 0 clear blocks...if you see green AT ALL you have two clear blocks etc. The twin large lamps not only just define a plane, but are visible from a great distance. Finally, both dwarf and high signal aspects are the same further eliminating confusion. <br /> <br />With advanced in LED technology a modern B&O CPL wouldn't cost much more to operate than a darth vader signal. In fact, for a simple crossover the new signals have 8 lamps (g/y/r g/y/r y/r), which is the same number you would have for a B&O CPL. CSX is sacrificing safety so that it can save a few pennies. You should all write your elected officials and encourage legislation that mandates colour confusion safe signals at interlockings.
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