Signal safari part 3

[NW Mailing List]

Hello Ed,

The only automatics I recall that displayed stop and stay were at either
end of Elkhorn Tunnel (3752/3 and 3770/1) and east of Elliston on Tie Yard
Hill (2750, EB advance for Singer).  I can understand not proceeding into a
7100' tunnel on a restricting, but the other stumped me as well as a
dispatcher and a signal maintainer I had asked.

Grant Carpenter


> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 12:31:16 -0400

> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Subject: Re: Signal safari part 3

> To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Message-ID: <0AA4E97177784287BAD6DF365CC6BB5C at 601ek604PC>

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>

> The center light in the lower head was known as the ?marker? light and

was illuminated when the top head of a controlled signal had horizontal
lights lit.  The presence of the marker light meant that the signal was a
?stop and stay? signal.  If there was no marker light, the horizontal
lights on the top head would indicate ?stop and proceed at restricted
speed?.  To further indicate the ?stop and stay?  there was a black metal
plate bearing the white letter ?S? under the signal number.  This was the
?fail safe? in case the marker light was burned out.  In my travels in
engine cabs on the old N&W, I never knew of a non-controlled signal that
displayed a ?stop and stay? indication.

>

> This was the opposite from the Pennsylvania Railroad?s signal rules where

the horizontal lights with no marker was the ?stop and stay?.  On the PRR,
if it had a marker, it indicated ?stop and proceed . . .?  If you were
stopped at  an interlocking signal on the PRR (like on the Sandusky Line),
if the operator wanted to ?call you on? through the interlocking, he could
cause the marker light to light up, giving you a ?stop and proceed?. 

>

> Confused yet?

>

> EdKing