CPL signals and how they operate

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  One additional observation.  In the early days, Distant Signals were first used in NON-Automatic Block territory.____________________________________________________________________  
Into the 1970s, this practice continued on the former VGN and in two sections of the
Nickel Plate between Frankfort and East St. Louis.  At the west end of most VGN passing sidings, there was a spring switch allowing trains to leave the siding withouthaving to stop to let the crew on the caboose line the switch for main track movement.The turnout was supposed to reline after the train left the siding.  The distant signalfor eastbounds displayed "clear" if the turnout was lined for main track movement.It offered NO block signal protection. Remember that after the 1959 merger, VGNwas still  a timetable and train order operation Virso to Norfolk Terminal.
Same applied on NKP,  Except for a small amount of ABS territory, it was a 
timetable and train order operation west of Frankfort.  W. E. Ruby was an NKPofficial (and later Supt. - Pittsburgh Div.)  This is how he conducted signal tests--he'd consult with the dispatcher to determine meeting points. On arrival at the meetingpoint, he'd get his crow bar and hide in the bushes.  After the train left the siding, he'drush from the bushes, put the crow bar against the main track rail so that theswitch point wouldn't close after the train cleared.  If the crew of the departing trainfailed to look back to see that the distant signal had cleared, they were in trouble fornot notifying that the signal had malfunctioned OR that the spring switch had failed torealign.                                                        Harry Bundy
P. S. When moving from signaled to non-signaled territory, what is the aspect        displayed on the last signal ?
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