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+--- Thread: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? (/showthread.php?tid=7851)
Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - jcj380 - 01-10-2016
At Normantown on the CN Leithton Sub, two main tracks converge to one for NB trains. There are two signal masts facing south, each with a triple light over a single (always red) light, over a double light. Why would they have 3 heads for two tracks converging? There is an intermediate south-facing three light signal about a mile north.
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Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - railohio - 01-10-2016
Could you locate it on a map for us?
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - BR60103 - 01-10-2016
Does anything else happen in the next few miles? The extre head often gives either extra restrictions (slow through the interlocking then normal speed) or advance warning of another diverging route.
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - jcj380 - 01-11-2016
railohio Wrote:Could you locate it on a map for us?Having trouble inserting links to Bing maps. Anyway, go to Plainfield, IL and run north along the tracks to the intersection of Wolf's Crossing and Normantown Rd.
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - jcj380 - 01-11-2016
BR60103 Wrote:Does anything else happen in the next few miles? The extre head often gives either extra restrictions (slow through the interlocking then normal speed) or advance warning of another diverging route.
There is an intermediate 3-light (single head) signal a couple miles north but only for NB traffic. It's single track all the way north to the BNSF interchange at Eola, which is maybe 8 miles up the line. Here's a pic at Normantown. The signals face south, the convergence form the two mains to one is just north of the signals.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://jcj380.tumblr.com/image/137093039754">http://jcj380.tumblr.com/image/137093039754</a><!-- m -->
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - railohio - 01-11-2016
Because that's are how modern railroad signaling works. Railroad use multiple signal heads to convey many indications to train crews, more than just stop, slow, and go.
This is a basic overview: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail/capital-investment/article/light-show">http://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail ... light-show</a><!-- m -->. However, you should know that most railroads have developed their own systems, so a certain aspect on CN could be something different on BNSF or CSX.
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - railohio - 01-11-2016
And for those looking to track down the location: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/8uBDDFqN4LF2">https://goo.gl/maps/8uBDDFqN4LF2</a><!-- m -->
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - railohio - 01-11-2016
I highly recommend this book on railroad signals: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760338817">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760338817</a><!-- m --> There is far more to be written about North American signaling than is practical on the forum.
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - BR60103 - 01-11-2016
Interesting that the signal heads have 3-1-2 lights.
They may be using the 3 heads to be consistent along the tracks. (Has any railroad cared about that?)
Re: Triple head signals for CONVERGING tracks? - faraway - 01-11-2016
I do also recommend this series of clips on YouTube explaining a lot about Canadian signals. It starts very simple and get more complex over the series of videos. They have a nice way teaching the systematics and some nasty exceptions to be memorized.
This is the link to the first one. The title is "Railroad Signals, reading and meanings, part 1: The basic three light system".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJpR93kp44I
There is a similar series "How to read CSX signals" made by Danny Harmon / "Distant Signal" about CSX signals. I have them on my harddisk but it has been erased from YouTube and became a CD you can buy.