Yard Signals

[buckeyestation]

    I have posted, before but I need to know if dwarfs were used in yards for switch indication

in late 40's to mid 50's or for sidings.

 

[tomikawaTT]

My prototype used dwarf position-light signals, mechanically actuated by the same rodding that moved the switch points, for turnout indicators.

Unfortunately (for a US prototype modeler) my prototype is Japanese.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[wjstix]

Generally switch alignment was indicated by a lantern or reflector or other sign that was part of the switch-throwing mechanism, and moved when the switch was moved, rather than a dwarf signal. Where night time operation was common, a revolving kerosene lantern that would show red on two sides and green on two sides would be very common in the post-war years.

[dehusman]

Only in very large yards.  99% of yards do not.  Yards would have indicators on switch stands, either a sign or a lantern to indicate which way the switch is lined.

Dwarf signals might be used on sidings depending on the signal system.  The usage varied wildly.  It would be most common in CTC.

Dave H.

[BRAKIE]

Drawf signals are use at yard throats and would govern the inbound/outbound tracks.They would also be use on outbound tracks in order to give the road engineer the authority to enter the main line.

 

As for yard switches no..There is no signals.Modern yards no longer have the old fashion switch lamps.

[jimrice4449]

The BNSF (ex BN ex NP) yard at Pasco has (had?) switch position indicators on power switches. Manual switches used targets.

[faraway]

All explanations I could find say that drawf signals have been used by limited space reasons only. They are ordinary signals with less space requirements.

[4merroad4man]

Many people tend to confuse "dwarf signals" with switch point indicators.  Switch point indicators by rule definition, are "a light type indicator used during movement over certain switches to show that the switch points fit properly"

A switch point indicator was not a block signal, and only indicated to a crew that the points were completely thrown.  It would display a red light if the switch was lined for the diverging route, or cocked, and a green or yellow light if the switch was lined "normal".  Switch point indicators can be found in some yards and associated with spring switches on many main tracks.

Some yard tracks in the East Yard at San Antonio, TX are equipped with switch point indicators, as I am sure are many more yards across the country.

Most switch indication in yards is performed by switch targets nowadays, and by targets and switch lamps in previous eras.

The general term "dwarf signal" refers to a signal of low stature, used within blocksystem limits as a block or interlocking signal, and it is used where between track or other clearances do not permit placement of other size signals.

Dwarf or other sized "block signals" do not tend to appear in non-block terriotory, which would include yard trackage, but I suppose there is a prototype for everything.

Bottom line:  its your railroad.

[jrbernier]

  As many other have mentioned, most yard tracks have manual switches.  I have seen several instances of power switches/dwarf signals.  The old CB&Q had an interlocking at 'Oakland Ave' that had the normal 'armstrong' level interlocking.  This was the entrance to the Daytons Bluff yard.  Further down the yard lead were power switches with small dwarf signals for the arrival tracks, and the 'divider' switch which led to the departure tracks.  These turnouts were controlled from a small panel in the Oakland Ave Tower.  They were basically used for switch alignment for arriving trains and the dwarf signals were high enough to clear the snow in winter.  The operator had a set of single digit signs(like 'numberboards') that he placed in the tower window so the train crews knew which track they were arriving on.  By the late 60's the operator just called the engineer and told which track he was putting him in on.

Jim

 

[steemtrayn]

A new type of indicator for hand-thrown switches:

http://www.switchrite.com/

 

[retsignalmtr]

when i worked for the nyc subway dwarf signals were used mostly in yards on the layup tracks to protect switches and had red and yellow aspects. they were not used for turnout indication but were regular signals for which red was stop and yellow was procede at 5 mph. they were lever controlled and would only clear when the proper switches were aligned from the tower. they were controlled by a lever and did not turn red when the train passed it until the towerman normaled the lever.