From: cal@ee.ryerson.ca (Calvin Henry-Cotnam)
Subject: Re: Railroad Signals
Organization: Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, Toronto
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 14:36:33 GMT

pierson@empror.enet.dec.com (dave pierson) writes:
>
>	In general, Red standing alone is named STOP SIGNAL and means
>	STOP_AND_STAY.
>
>	IF the signal is numbered, its a restricting block indication (?) and
>	stop_and_proceed is allowed.
>
>	If the signal is on a heavy grade, and fitted with a G (Grade) marker,
>	or designated such in the ETT, Tonnage trains (hard & expensive to
>	restart) are allowed to pass it at under <specified> MPH.
>

I just thought I'd add this information as things are a little different
here in Canada.  Generally speaking, all signals are numbered here,
therefore the presence/lack of the number plate has no meaning to what
the signal indicates.  The different red aspects are as follows:


Rule 429:  Stop Signal.

	This is a stop-and-stay aspect meaning that a train cannot pass
	it unless given orders by the RTC (rail traffic controller,
	"Canadian" for dispatcher)

      |R         |R          |R
      |R         |R          |
      |R         |           |
      |          |           A
      |          |           |         R
      |          |           |         R         R
      ^          ^           ^         ^         ^
    Triple     Double      Single    Dwarf     Dwarf
               (home)    (absolute)

	home signal--> signals alligned vertically
	Single head signal has a letter plate marked "A".
	Dwarf may also be double or triple with all lights red


Rule 428:  Stop and Proceed Signal.

	This is a stop-then-proceed aspect meaning that the train may
	continue at a restricting speed after making a full stop, being
	prepared to stop suddenly due to conditions.

     R|           |R
      |R          |
      |           |
      |           |
      |           |
      |           |
      ^           ^
    Double     Single
   (distant)

	distant signal--> signals are not vertically alligned


Rule 426:  Restricting.

	This signal allows the train to continue at restricting speed
	without the need to make a complete stop.

      |R      |R      R|        R|          |R
      |R      |Y       |Y        |R         |
      |Y      |        |         |          |
      |       |        |         R          R
      |       |        |         |          |         R
      |       |        |         |          |         R        R
      ^       ^        ^         ^          ^         ^        ^
    Triple  Double   Double    Double     Single    Dwarf    Dwarf
              

	* These single and double head signals have a letter plate marked "R".



There is also Rule 427, Special Protection Signal, which is either a
single red or double distant signal displaying red-over-red that has
a letter plate marked "SPS".  The rule states that a train should,
"Stop, then proceed at restricted speed and preceded by a flagman when
necessary to ensure full protection".

The rulebook does not mention anything about triple-head dwarf signals
(they do exist, there are some around Toronto Union station), but I
suspect that their indications are the same as regular mast-mounted
triple-head signals.


Calvin Henry-Cotnam, CATE          | "...My brain IBM"
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute    | "So if you see me, acting stangely..."
Toronto, Ontario, Canada           |                  STYX, Mr. Roboto
Newsgroups: rec.railroad