What do signals mean?

[K. P. Harrier]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mvlandsw

Here's a link that shows how NORAC signals work for various track alignments and track occupancy. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sunder/java/DvrRte/NORAC.htm

What a fun site. Now railfans don't have to go trackside anymore. Won't railroads just love that?

[chad thomas]

Yea, his websight is great. When I first found it I spent days reading it.

[wayne]

Thanksfolksfor all the helpful info, especially Krug's website. I had read his "Tales", but had never accessed the techinical part of his site. Thanks again. Wayne

[mvlandsw]

Here's a link that shows how NORAC signals work for various track alignments and track occupancy. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sunder/java/DvrRte/NORAC.htm

[chad thomas]

Wayne,
Mark is right. Al Krugs website has an excellent explaination of signals. Also check out some of his photo essays. There is a lot of great stuff on his site.

Heres the spot on his sight for signals.

http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/rrfacts/signals/signals.htm

[Anonymous]

Wayne-

I can't answer your question with any great clarity. Signals are one of the most confusing subjects having to do with railroading. (to me anyway) As you have already guessed, there is some variation between railroads both in the aspect and indication of the signals, as well as the physical structure of the signals.

There are a number of good books on the topic, but I have an easier and cheaper solution. Below is a link to the website of Al Krug. Al is a BNSF engineer. He not only knows whereof he speaks on many train operating and mechanical topics, but he can explain them to non pros like me.

His explanations of signals, train brakes and other topics are great. Also on this forum are many knowledgeable professional railroaders who could and would be happy to explain signals, but is a huge topic for a forum post.

http://www.alkrug.vcn.com/home.html

Mark

[Hugh Jampton]

A Google search will easily give you the information you are looking for

[Anonymous]

[8D] [#welcome] wayne yellow or green over red usually means approach on the main for yellow & proceed @ posted speed for green
red over yellow means approach siding red over white is the same
if red over yellow or white on end of siding the other 2 signals facing opposite direction both will be red hope this helps thats a UP KCS some CSX NS BNSF
trackage is like this some CSX NS ex CR are diffrent [8D]

[JoeKoh]

Wayne
welcome to the forums.on csx that signal would be an approach.yes there are different rules and such depending what railroad it is.
stay safe
Joe

[wayne]

Is there a source for learning the meaning of various signal combinations? For example what does yellow over red mean? Do they vary according to different railroads? If so, it would appear that engineers operating on trackage rights would have to know more than one interpretation of a signal.