Wendover, Utah (on I-80, near the border with Nevada) view map
Block signals are the traffic lights of railroads but they are more complicated than traffic signals used on streets. In my original description I bemoaned the fact that I did not understand the meaning of this "green above red" signal. Readers mcjr and Ian were kind enough to explain it, but all that information left me confused. When I edited this text in 2013, I was still confused.
What little I know about the working conditions of train crews leads me to believe they have to understand a zillion operating rules and many different signals. They have my respect.
"...that means your clear in the block but be prepared to stop at next signal...."
First of all, "your" is not "you're" or "you are". I hate that!
Second, in America, there is no such indication as "clear to stop", as it is called in Canada. A yellow over red signal is called "approach"... but it does have the same meaning as "clear to stop". If the signal were red over yellow, it would be called "Restricting" which instructs the train to proceed at "restricted" speed (i.e., crawl) and be prepared to stop at any time. If the signal would be red over green, that would be called "medium clear". You see in your photo there is a switch? The train would have to slow to medium speed to proceed onto the other track.
mcjr
01-Sep-2006 21:18
hi dave that is a clear signal..all clear to the next signal[block]....if it was yellow on top its called a clear to stop signal...that means your clear in the block but be prepared to stop at next signal....there are so many combinations it is confusing....hope this clears it up a little......mike
