Anyone know how these are actually used? What does the bottom signal signal? Were these placed to the left, right or middle of the track.
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This signal displays signal aspects for two tracks. It would usually be placed to the right of all tracks. It's a somewhat unusual signal, with only a single mast on the left side. That head can only display three signal aspects, Clear (green), Approach (yellow), and Stop (red).
The other mast with two signal heads, can display many more signal aspects, such as Limited Clear, Medium Clear, Advance Approach, Approach Medium, Restricting, etc., in addition to the Clear, Approach and Stop aspects.
For a basic "Primer" on railroad signals, CLICK HERE.
IT is obvious that the second track signal with one head was an ordinary block signal and there was no switch on that track. The fight hand signal would be an interlocking signal that would be used if there were a switch off that track to a yard or branch line. But it would be rather unusual for a yard or branch to be accessible from only one of two tracks. Perhaps there was another interlocking not far before that set of signals that had a crossover between the two tracks. But looks quite unusual. While this all makes sense in theory, I can't think of a real world case where this might have happened.
mlaughlinnyc posted:...While this all makes sense in theory, I can't think of a real world case where this might have happened.
Exactly. This is a signal that has no application in the real world. If there are two tracks at the location of this signal, then both masts would need to have at least two heads.
It’s evidently a “simplified” signal for use on a model where real signal rules are not used.
I'll have to check my horrible snapshots from around 1970 when I get home - but I vaguely recall a signal like that in Muncie.
Edit and trim above: Well, about the only thing I was correct about was that there were two poles with signals atop a single overall mast, at the end of a siding. Two signal heads on the right (the main), and three on the left. Possible the middle head on the left is facing the other way, or just blank - pic is underexposed (shot with Instamatic, as I recall). Four of the heads show red. Only the upper right has more than one light.
The signal before the turnout in the other direction was three heads - top with three lights, middle with one, bottom with two. When I took the pic, green over off over red.
Sorry to hijack. I should have said nothing until I got home and checked.
David
