Model Board Symbology Questions

[NW Mailing List]

Thanks everyone for the feedback so far, and my apologies for the lack of a signature - I don’t usually miss that. I’ve included it this time.

I have some follow up questions and comments.

Frank Scheer asked:
"Do you have an unedited picture of the model board or one that includes the traffic control levers that are below the model board?"

Unfortunately no, I saw the model board divorced from the tower. I have four photos of the interior of the tower, but none show this particular board. Two of the photos are very early (probably pre-1920?). One shows the traffic control levers obliquely, but the model board is different and appears to have a more limited scope (I don’t think Dorney is there). One of those two is from the NWHS archives, via VA Tech. I’ve attached a crop of the pertinent part - the levers are of a type I haven’t seen before (though I haven’t seen many). The other is from the Pickaway County Historical and Genealogical Library.

The other two photos are from the fifties and are profiles of the operators (Dick and Wink Wellington). The model board is not visible, though the corner of the same lever machine visible in one of them. Presumably the newer model board is mounted above that. Dad, who spent a lot of time in the tower as a youth, may remember where the board was mounted, and if the same lever machine was being used.  I’ll ask (or maybe he’ll chime in).  Both of those photos are also part of the PCHGL collection.



Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US

On Dec 29, 2019, at 10:22 AM, NW Mailing List via NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

Someone asked (name, please): I have a photo of Circleville Tower's model board and have some questions about the symbology/nomenclature used. See the attached photo for references.

Signal 6794 - The symbol for this signal has what appears to be a lower arm. Signal 6778 does not have this. What is it?

I will let someone else confirm, but because it is vertical it may be a second signal head that is only illuminated with a "clear" if the top signal head is "approach" or "stop" so that the two together would indicate "approach medium" or "medium clear." [I may not have those names correct according to a N&W rule book.]

Signal 6R is similar in appearance to 6778, except that 6R has a ?hollow? quadrant. What does this difference indicate? Is it a home signal compared to an ABS signal perhaps (6R seems to be within the scope of the tower, based on dad?s recollections).

6R is a home signal which does not have a number plate. When the indication is "stop," the train stops and stays and does not proceed into the interlocking limits. 

Signal 6794/6778 are numbered based on milepost; what does 6R, 10L and similar mean? That they are within the interlocking plant?

6R is a home signal and the lever operating it is moved to the right. 10L is a home signal and the lever operating it is moved to the left. These signal levers are moved after the route is set up in the interlocking plant by using the switch levers. 

What do Triangles 9 and 17 on the Old Main indicate (for reference, the old SV main was used to switch local industries, and is still in place today)

The triangles represent derails.

Similarly, does the R / L simply indicate which side of the track the signal is on? If so, why is this needed vs. just having unique numbers?

R/L is the direction that the signal lever is moved on the interlocking machine.

Is there any significance to the red/yellow alternating block colors beyond making it easier to see where each starts and stops?

The colors represent the routes between interlocking signals.

Do you have an unedited picture of the model board or one that includes the traffic control levers that are below the model board?

Good luck,

Frank Scheer
f_scheer at yahoo.com
On Sunday, December 29, 2019, 8:06:07 AM EST, <nw-mailing-list-request at nwhs.org> wrote:


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Today's Topics:

  1. Model Board Symbology Questions (NW Mailing List)


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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 17:31:50 -0500
From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>>
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>>
Subject: Model Board Symbology Questions
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Hi All.

I have a photo of Circleville Tower?s model board and have some questions about the symbology/nomenclature used. See the attached photo for references.

Signal 6794 - The symbol for this signal has what appears to be a lower arm. Signal 6778 does not have this. What is it?
Signal 6R is similar in appearance to 6778, except that 6R has a ?hollow? quadrant. What does this difference indicate? Is it a home signal compared to an ABS signal perhaps (6R seems to be within the scope of the tower, based on dad?s recollections).
Signal 6794/6778 are numbered based on milepost; what does 6R, 10L and similar mean? That they are within the interlocking plant?
What do Triangles 9 and 17 on the Old Main indicate (for reference, the old SV main was used to switch local industries, and is still in place today)
Similarly, does the R / L simply indicate which side of the track the signal is on? If so, why is this needed vs. just having unique numbers?
Is there any significance to the red/yellow alternating block colors beyond making it easier to see where each starts and stops?


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