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Speed Limits and Opposing Train Movement

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[quote user="MP173"]A slight direction change here, if you dont mind.As I understand it, and subject to correction, there are two types of signalling systems.  One is speed aspects (such as those above with limited speed, medium, and slow speeds) and the other is routing aspect (such as diverging clear, etc).Which system is considered the better?  Is the speed system (for lack of better term) generally used on a multi main track system to control speeds thru turnouts etc?  Is it possible that both systems are used in a divisional run?  What are the benefits and drawbacks of each system? thanks, ed[/quote]Most railroads I work with have elements of both speed signaling and route signaling; I haven't seen a pure system in awhile.  This is partly due to mergers that combined speed-signaled and route-signaled predecessors, and partly due to expediency.In very broad terms, if you need to look up turnout speeds in the employee timetable you are on a route-signaled railroad, and if you need to look up signal aspects in the employee timetable you are on a speed-signaled railroad.  Either one will give you the same outcomes; you just arrive at the end by either one of two parallel paths. I'm reluctant to state which is better as the answer depends on the goals one wants to achieve.  Capital cost, simplicity of training, crew misunderstandings leading to collisions or overspeed derailments are all factors, as are the desires to have a common system standard and achieve the maximum operational capacity.  I grew up in a route-signaled environment so I think I am unduly biased toward thinking that is better.  People smarter than me know more about this and most of them are speed-signaling people.
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