Help with signals

[RedLeader]

Hey guys,

I'm no rivit counter, but I would like my layout to look as real as possible. I've seen a lot of light signals along the rails many times, not knowing what they mean or purpose. Perhaps someone arround here could give me a brief guide to signals. The most cummon used, just to decide which ones use in my layout. (e.g. target signal 3 over 2 ???, and so...).

I've always had the same problem, 'cause I know nothing about this topic. Please don't sent me to buy a book, in my country MR books doesn't exist.

[cwclark]

usually there are two types..CTC which is directed by the control tower guy and ABS automatic block signalling which is mainly used in the hobby...red can have a lot of meanings depending on what the signal is designated for in the railroad's rulebook /timetable for that block..it can mean stop, stop and proceed, stop and proceed at a restricted speed or stop in the next block...yellow usually means to slow to a restricted speed, slow for a train in the next block, or slow to restricted speed when taking a turnout..and green usually means to go and if the rule book implies it..go at a certain restricted speed...Chuck

[siberianmo]

My approach to signalling for my HO layout is quite simple: place them in places where it would seem appropriate ....... nothing more than that. Once placed, the realism kicks in. As far as the lighting goes, follow what "Chuck" had to offer.

Over the years, the light configurations and color definitions have varied with the railroads using them ...... come up with whatever scheme works for you! Can't go wrong with the basics: red = stop, green = go, and yellow = caution. For me, anything more complex than that means I need to rethink my involvement with this hobby!

See ya![tup]

[Don Gibson]

The basic's are
Each track get's a signal 1. Main 2. Siding 3 +. additional tracks
Colors = speed retrictions

Different RR's use different types: Searchlight's, Inline's, Hooded, etc. Semaphor's have been largely replaced by THE above.

Cost is divided into PHISICAL and ELECTRICAL. A 3 aspect WORKING system will run $50 per block. Semaphor's $100. Still interested? For more info go to an excellent one-stop source:

http://www.integratedsignalsystems.com/Default.htm

NOTHING makes' your layout more realistic than a working signal system.

[Anonymous]

See Railroad signals What they do, what they mean
by Frank W. Bryan and Robert S. McGonigal

[retsignalmtr]

i was a signal maintainer for 31 years for the new york city transit. i'm going to design and install my signaling system to be similar to what i worked on. automatic signals with a three aspect head, red, stop. yellow, procede with caution. green procede at normal speed. home signals, controlled from a tower protecting switches have double heads. the upper head has red, yellow and green to check the condition of the track ahead as above but the lower head is used to indicate the route selected. green for normal route and yellow for a diverging route and a second red for stop and stay.
i was going to use my digitrax system to operate the signals, but i think i'm going to use an analog system with relays and occupancy detectors for the block indications.
i've seen several layouts with lit signals that don't change when a train passes them. they look nice but i'd like them to really work

[dinwitty]

Signals are to protect the occupancy of the track ahead. Generally you find signals around turnouts, then general block signals for long stretches of track.
Red-block ahead is occupied.
Yellow-block ahead is clear, next block occupied.
Green-at least 2 blocks ahead clear.

Usually at Turnouts going into double track from single the signal will have 2 heads.
If the turnout is normal, the lower head is red. Upper head shows similar occupancy as above.
If the turnout is diverging, the top head is red and the lower head shows occupancy as above.
Single heads protect the turnout the other way, red if occupied or if the turnout is thrown against it.

It gets more complicated when signals determine what speed you are supposed to run or advanced approach signals and so on.
Thats when you get into signals with 2 or 3 heads.

its really very interesting to have signals, just how far you want to go with them is your choice.
I don;t think any normal layout needs anything more than block detection.

[dehusman]

There are two types of signalling systems: ABS (automatic block system, sometimes called APB) and CTC (centralized traffic control, and there are other acronyms for that)

Contrary to the previous post, ABS is used on thousands of miles of prototype track today.

The big difference between the two is what they convey. ABS conveys information on the occupancy of the block ahead and the positions of switches or routes lined ahead.
In CTC the controled signals convey authority on the main track. In ABS the train needs some other authority (DTC, TWC, train order, timetable schedule, etc) to use the main track. In ABS if you have a track warrant that says proceed from Anna to Bess and you get to Bess and there is a clear (green) leaving signal, you still can't leave. In CTC if you run from Anna to Bess and you have a clear leaving signal you can go.

In ABS the signals change indications depending on the positions of the trains and the switches, but the dispatcher generally cannot control either. In CTC the dispatcher can control the positions of the switches and can "clear" the signals or hold them (clearing a signal means the dispatcher allows it to display the most favorable indication possible, that may be clear/green or it may be stop/red, the dispatcher doesn't choose which signal to display, the system does). CTC is basically an ABS system with controlled switches and controlled signals at those switches.

There is also a difference in the position of the signals. In ABS the leaving signal will be beyond the switch at a siding. In CTC there will be signals on all routes into a controlled switch. So if you are going through a siding in ABS, when you come to teh end, there will be a pair of signals beyond the switch, one for each direction. In CTC when you come to the end of a controlled siding, there will be three signals, one on the siding, one for the main betweeen the siding switches and one for the main beyond the siding, all of them will be facing away from the switch.

On each signal there are a group of colored lights. Normally there is a flat metal target surrounding them. Each group of signals with a target is called a "head". Some signals have up to three heads. If you look at signal rules and it shows combinations of different color signals, each signal is a different head. So if you are doing diverging approach (CTC, you are heading into a controlled siding and the switch at the other end is lined against you with a stop signal) that is a red over yellow, so you would need 2 heads. The top head would have red-yellow and green lights in it, the bottom head could have R-Y or R-Y-G lights.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

Red Leader,

I had working signals on my last layout and I have to say they were very cool. Here is a link to some guys I met at the 2000 NMRA national convention. They had an animator that would automatically take a signal through all three aspects when a train rolled by as well as a slew of other optiions. The package was very affordable. They also have links on the site to Tomar and Sunset signals which are very well made and great looking models. I will definately be using their products when I get past the track laying/bench work stage.

Here is the link:

http://home.houston.rr.com/lrt/

[cwclark]

here is an excellent website that shows you how to build the train detection circuits,(step by step with a parts list) how they work, and how to even scratch build your own targets... www.gateway.nmra.org look under article library and electronic projects...Chuck