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SIGNALS HELP, INSTRUCTIONS
& ADVICE
Revised 18th
February 2011
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External Signal Reference
Links at the bottom of this webpage
Rough guide to Signalling for Railway Modellers
A lot of people tend to think of Railway Signalling as being
rather like Highway traffic lights as they are a part of their every day life.
Cars have pneumatic tyres running on tarmac Trains have solid
metal wheels running on metal rails.
The stopping distance for a train is much, much, much further
than that of a car.
There are a number of factors to take into account when
designing signals and their positioning.
Every individual signal is designed specifically for its own
location taking into account drivers sight obstructions to the
of the signal.
I.e. Buildings, Platform
Canopies, Bridges, Signal Boxes, bends in the track, gradients and
possible weather conditions etc.
As far as possible a train driver must see his own signal within
a designated position through his windscreen, especially when entering main
line stations such as Euston and Glasgow Central or places like Clapham
Junction.
The Signal Design Engineer is given three main dimensions for each
individual signal, distance out from the track, height of the lowest aspect (or
semaphore arm) and the distance of any overhang from the centre line of the
main signal post. He then has to design
the structure to hold the signal in the required position.
Modellers do not have to go to such lengths when designing their
layout but need to understand some of the principles employed on Main Line
Railways.
The railway track is divided up into sections for control
purposes. Signals are there to give advanced guidance to the train
drivers. The driver has to take into
account the type of train (local, main line passenger, high speed or freight),
its weight, length, speed, weather conditions, speed restrictions etc and the messages received from the
signaller.
Signals are therefore designed to give the driver as much
advanced warning of the signals ahead of his/her train. The driver has to think miles ahead of the
train and to take the necessary action to slow down and stop the train at the
necessary forward position The next stop signal or station etc.
Some main line stations receiving long distant passenger trains, slow the train down in stages and some times stopping the train with a red light just outside
the station and then giving a yellow caution to proceed into the station at
very slow speed.
If a train is to turn off the main line at a junction, a signal
with a feather may be used to warn the driver to slow down before reaching the
points. Speed restriction signs might
also be displayed at the side of the track.
With skill 2 feathers can be attached to an eckon
kit signal using a kit. Please ask for details.
Long distance inter city trains on a
main line might be controlled using a series of 4 aspect signals.
www.cravenmodels.com/HORNBYMAGSIGNALS.htm ί click
One point to remember is that any signal before a junction or
level crossing should be some way back in case of accidental overrun by the
train (SPAD). (Signal passed at red.)
There are usually 2 stop signals (Home) before a crossing or junction or
station, at least RED/GREEN. See diagram below.
Most Model signals come with a fixed post length. A. Normal height for mounting on the
baseboard surface and a shorter one for mounting on the platform itself. In real life each signal post will vary dependant upon track conditions.
In general 2 aspect Red/Green signals are refered
as starter signals which are found at the end of station platforms. Etc.
Red is STOP. Green is GO.
One Yellow is proceed with caution as the next
signal along the line might be yellow or red when it is reached.
Two yellows mean proceed with caution as the next two signals
might be at yellow or red when they are reached. This is the means that a
signaller uses to control the speed of trains.
Semaphore Signals ί Click
Typical Semaphore Signal Diagram below:
COLOUR LIGHT SIGNALLING EXPLAINED FOR MODEL
RAILWAYS
Four Aspect Colour Light System.
In real life the track is divided into BLOCKS
or SECTIONS - so you need to do the same for your automated signalling layout.
Usually when the engine or first the coach of
a DMU or EMU passes a green signal, the signalman will immediately change the
green aspect to red. The same will
happen if you are operating your model railway with an Automatic Block
Occupancy Protection System.
Each BLOCK/SECTION must be longer than the
maximum train length to be operated on the main line track.
Generally there are two danger sections behind
each train on an express main line system.
COLOUR LIGHT SIGNALS
RED STOP Do not proceed.
DOUBLE YELLOW Proceed very slowly as the
next TWO Signals are at RED
or one Yellow and then a
read RED.
YELLOW Proceed with caution as the next
signal is at RED.
GREEN Proceed at the regulated speed for
that BLOCK/SECTION of track.
This system ensures that there are two
BLOCKS/SECTIONS behind the previous train.
MODEL RAILWAY LAYOUT DESIGN
You therefore need to divide your model layout
into BLOCKS/SECTIONS that are longer than the longest Train that you wish to run
on your main line model railway layout. The signalling system will manage and
control your signals and trains.
TRAINTRONICS SIGNALS AND BLOCK OCCUPANCY
CONTROL
ETC. ETC.
ETC.
Most large model railway layouts will operate in a
series of circles.
www.cravenmodels.com/TRAINTRONICSDCCINS.htm << Just Click
Email: cravenmodels@btconnect.com
Telephone: 01588 660 580 -
10 am to 7 pm most days of the week. (Answer machine service is available )
As shown in the diagram to the left,
in an area where 4-aspect signalling is in use the sequence for the four
signals protecting the four blocks behind a train would be red protecting the
occupied clock, then single yellow, double yellow and green in the following
three blocks. The view here is foreshortened for the illustration.
The signals in a 4-aspect installation will be about 750 to 850 yards (686 to
777 metres) apart in an intensively used area and up to 1400 yards (1280
metres) apart in a high speed area. The signals are shown without overlaps ( Click below). The
sequence for 3-aspect signalling (covering only three blocks) would be the same
but without the double yellow aspect.
FURTHER
READING - NOT ASSOCIATED WITH CRAVENMODELS OR MODELTRAINSUK
http://www.railway-technical.com/sig-uktypes.shtml and
Overlaps
<< Click
These notes will be updated from time to time Additional help
notes will be found below with individual signals.
Advice given Tel: 01588 660 580
most days 10 am to 7 pm. email cravenmodels@btconnect.com
ECKON SIGNALS
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OR
USE ES2H OR OTHER POST SIGNAL WITHOUT THE LADDER
DAPOL GANTRY KIT <<< Click
TRAINTRONICS SIGNALS
SEEP POINT MOTORS WITH
ECKON
MODEL RAILWAY ELECTRICS
TERMINOLOGY & GLOSSARY
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Green,
Yellow, Brown, Wire 7 x 0.2mm 10 Metres each
Blue, Red, White, Black
3 Thin
wires
To
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Modeltrainsuk Cravenmodels International Mail Order Company
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SY7 0HJ
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James Lyon
INTERNET TRADING FOR OVER 10 YEARS
FURTHER READING - NOT ASSOCIATED WITH
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