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SIGNALS
– HELP, INSTRUCTIONS & ADVICE
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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
driver’s 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 ß 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 yellow’s
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 ß Click
Typical Semaphore Signal Diagram below:
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 email cravenmodels@btconnect.com
ECKON
SIGNALS
|
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 << Click Please do
NOT use a HORNBY CONTROLLER to power these signals. 12v DC
ONLY Required. Power supply below.
These items are delicate electrical / electronic components that need to
be connected to the correct power supply and switching device as specified by
the manufacturer. The BERKO Signals are
ready assembled and Kits Signals must be installed correctly - The correct
Polarity must be used at all times. These products are not toys and Children need to be
supervised by an adult at all times.
Green, Yellow,
Brown, Wire 7 x 0.2mm 10 Metres each
Blue, Red,
White, Black
3 Thin wires
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Modeltrainsuk Cravenmodels
International Mail Order Company
Craven Model
Centre, Bungalow Railway Workshops, Purslow Estate,
Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 0HJ
Tel: 01588 660 580 cravenmodels@btconnect.com
James Lyon
INTERNET TRADING FOR OVER 12 YEARS
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