How Do You Read Railroad Signals?

In today's short, I explain the basics on how to read railroad signals.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!

©2024 Northeastern Rail Films - This content is not to be used without explicit permission

#shorts #train #railway

[canaan]

I really like the fins so you can tell the signal by the angle.

[lorenzoinorbit]

these educational shorts are really awesome (: i love trains but i’ve never done much research into them, so these shorts are a great way to learn!

[SouRwyProductions]

I see that you used some footage of the semaphore signal in the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s exhibition building. That was a nice thing to include in a video about railroad signals.

[i_forgot]

the double lights in sydney are a little bit different. The top light is green if the train can proceed and red if not (yellow if the train is diverging). The bottom light shows the state of the next signal.

[margiechronister]

On the CSX Seaboard Airline trackage, yellow over yellow is an advance approach, this tells the crew that the next signal reads approach

For clarification, you can only give and advance approach if there are two or three heads


Bonus, on the CSX S line (former SAL trackage) a lunar white on the top signal head is restricting, proceed at a speed that you can stop within half the range you can see, usually in yards on dwarf or shunt signals, restricting speed is 15 miles per hour or less

[wernerderchamp]

German signals are pretty similar.
The Hv has two signal types, main signals and approach signal. The main signal has a red light for stop, a green light for clear, green and yellow for slow approach (usually used if there are switches with restricted speeds). The approach signals tell you what the next main signal shows, using two yellows for expect stop, two greens for expect clear and green and yellow for expect slow approach.
Switch positions can be shown with a digital sign showing a letter, usually the first one of the next bigger station the switches are guided to. It is used so the conductor can spot mistakes by the traffic controller.
There is also the semaphore variant which works 1:1 the same but is slowly dying out.

[HyperformA]

Canadian Railroad conductor here for CN. The signals used in Canada are slightly different from our American friends, however the explanation is generally correct. Signals can indicate a few different speeds;

Restricting- A speed which we can stop within half the range of vision of a broken rail, equipment, or a switch not lined properly
Slow- A speed not exceeding 15 mph
Diverging- A speed not exceeding 25 mph
Medium- A speed not exceeding 30 mph
Limited- A speed not exceeding 45 mph

Different light patterns can indicate different speeds or actions that are to be taken or routes to be used as directed by RTC (Rail Traffic Controller)

There are 116 total signals that are required to be known by all employees who are involved in the movement of trains also known as being "Rules Qualified"

[zugumlaufstrecke]

If you want to learn A german signal system, and want to look at something very complex, look at the Hl-signal system with its 16 combinations

[PBMRR]

In some European countries, the two signals on one pole usually are used together.

If the top and bottom are green then the next two blocks are clear.

If the top is red and the bottom is green, then the next block is occupied while the next is clear.

If the top is green but the bottom is yellow, then the next block is clear but the one after it is occupied.

[enaqleelectric]

In Sweden its kinda funny, the more green the more the danger😂 (like 1 green is proceed, 2 green is proceed with caution/40km/h, and 3 green means the next signal is less than 250m away and is set to danger.

[vcaprini]

Red does not always mean stop. If it’s an intermediate signal then you may pass it without stopping at restricted speed.

[BenGagne]

Multiple lights on signal doesn’t always mean they’re signaling a switch, take Dover West on the CSX Portland sub the switch has its own signal. yet there are two signals both have two lights

[MattijsVandebroek]

Interesting system. Every country uses it's own system but I can see how USA and UK are somewhat based on how switches are set, while other countries, like mainland Europe, are rather based on giving the max speed.

Fun fact: the USA uses a system where both position and color of lights can be used, but the positoon is always vertical when green, diagonal when yellow and horizontal when red.
Belgium is the only country in the world where you gotta pay attention to both color and position. For instance, green and yellow horizontal is something different than green en yellow vertical.

[cyberqueenie]

"That must be a backing signal"

[fbonnie]

the signal meanings/color can be different in other countries

[ninjamilk]

So to summarize the whole video
Red means stop
Green means go
Yellow means slow
Wow thanks alot i learned sm

[gamercental]

I know its one if those backing signals

[trainfanboy]

I'm saying this, american signals look complicated but simple at the same time.

[SuperSpinky]

Hey that’s 475 the 4-8-0 Mastadon locomotive from Thomas and the Magic Railroad. So much nostalgia from that engine.

[danielcordova]

Does anyone else remember the flying kipper incident?