Searchlight Signals

Art, I can't say where there are any active searchlight signals in your area, but, considering the vast amount of track there, surely there is at least one stretch of track that still uses them.

Out here in the BNSF Transcon, it's all been converted to contemporary color light signals on aluminum masts, including the cantilevers and signal bridges. for hundreds of miles in all directions.  Oddly, there is a small number of SEMAPHORES still active between Albuquerque between Albuquerque and Raton, but no more searchlights.

If you go promptly to Rondout or to Nelson, you might beat the signal gang there.

Thanks Tom, all needed was an excuse to go to those places. Here are a couple pictures I took in Ottawa yesterday.

The last picture is on the old Rock Island line now CSX that protects a crossing of Illinois Railway.  I'm assuming the W, X on the signal is for whistle and crossing?

Art

I'm pretty sure the last time I went by the signal bridge near Dayton's Bluff east of downtown St. Paul MN still had searchlight signals. Google Maps latest image (March 2022) appears to show searchlights:

BNSF/CP Dayton's Bluff

Good work, Art.

The W sign is a sign that the whistle signal for a crossing should be started when passing that location.  But the X, well, I cannot say for sure, because each railroad has its own standards for the size and shape and color of roadway signs, as well as the actual meaning of the signs they use.

Probably . . . the X indicates that the absolute signal protects the diamond crossing, and that the signal arrangement at the crossing is what's called an Automatic Interlocking.

Automatic Interlockings detect the approach of a train and then, if the conflicting route is clear, give a Proceed indication to the approaching train.  If the conflicting route has a train in the circuit, then it will result in a Proceed indication for whichever train hit the track circuit first, and a Stop indication for the second train to enter the circuit, to prevent collision.  

If a train is stopped by a signal at an Automatic Interlocking, a member of the crew must walk ahead to the crossing, and, if no conflicting movement is evident, must open a box on a relay case or signal mast.  Inside the door of the box is a button to push for each railroad.  The employee pushes the button for his railroad, and, if a conflicting movement is not approaching, sets all signals at Stop on both railroads, and then gives a Proceed indication to the employee's train after the expiration of five minutes, or whatever is the running time for a conflicting movement to have entered the approach circuit and to arrive at the crossing.  If there is signal trouble, a green light inside the box will light up for the employee's railroad and a red light for the conflicting railroad.  In that case, the train may pass the Absolute Signal displaying a red aspect at Restricted Speed to the next signal or to the opposing outer end of the Automatic Interlocking track circuit.  Some interlockings also require lighted red fusees to be displayed on the conflicting route, but each Automatic Interlocking has its own specific instructions posted inside the door of the box.

It looks like the inferior route, the one with the aluminum painted signal mast, has the box mounted on its signal (for either railroad).

@Chugman posted:

Thanks Tom, all needed was an excuse to go to those places. Here are a couple pictures I took in Ottawa yesterday.

The last picture is on the old Rock Island line now CSX that protects a crossing of Illinois Railway.  I'm assuming the W, X on the signal is for whistle and crossing?

Art

Tom is correct. On CSX, the "W" designates this as a whistle post.  They were placed in a position to alert the engineer when approaching a highway/road crossing at grade.

However; the "X" displayed below is/was used when there are multiple road crossings located in close proximity to each other making the placement of a whistle post for each crossing difficult,  such as cities and towns with crossings at each city street, one city block apart.

As I recall, the "X" had been used on the Seaboard/Family Lines/L&N side of CSX. They were not used on former CHESSIE's C&O/B&O/WM lines until after the CSX merger and implementation of a combined Chessie - Family Lines rule book in the mid 1980's.

Regards,

C.J.

Thanks guys, I love learning more about real railroad signals as I am preparing to signal my whole railroad soon.

Tom, I went to Google maps in Nelson and Dixon and it showed searchlight signal bridges with new signals placed beside them.  I don't know when the pics were taken, but it may already be too late to still see the old signals.  If anyone is from that area l would appreciate a heads up before I go out there.

Thanks,  Art

As additional information, pertaining to "searchlight signals", as part of the installation of PTC, pretty much all "searchlight signals" MUST be replaced with standard two or three light "fixed signals". Since all "searchlight signals" have moving parts inside, they are not compliant with the requirements of PTC. Thus, the "searchlight signals" are being, or have already been, replaced by non-moving part two or three light "fixed signals".

Hot Water,

Is there recently a new regulation coming on for the search light signals?

While there is definitely more maintenance/inspections involved with search light signals as compared to color light signals, there are search light signals being used in the US integrated with PTC, they just require additional debounce time before reporting the PTC rule # applicable to the signal/aspect as the internal roundels need time to move and acquire their correct new position.

Re:  the two posts above.  I stated to a signal maintainer how searchlights are non-compliant with PTC, and I got a stern correction.  We all know that searchlights are being used in active PTC territory, but are they "grandfathered in" as non-compliant components until their ultimate replacement?

@Hot Water

@Hump Yard Mike

what is the difference between a searchlight signal and the newer signals being installed?  I see a lot of short signal masts with hooded posts on the UP along with the taller masts yet.  thanks

@wb47 posted:

what is the difference between a searchlight signal and the newer signals being installed?

Searchlight signals have internal moving parts which move the lenses to change the indication from green to yellow to red. The newest three-light signals have three separate, non-movable bulbs or LEDs, for green, yellow, and red, i.e. no moving parts.

I see a lot of short signal masts with hooded posts on the UP along with the taller masts yet.  thanks

Ok, thanks