Signal Tower Question

[Stitch]

I know the top light is the indicator for the main line. Center for the passing track. What is the bottom signal for? For the switch to the left?

[JCinSummerfield]

Cool photo, Stitch. Where is it?

[Stitch]

Novi. Near the old Novi Cemetery.

[Hogger1225]

One particular signal head does not represent any particular track. At most interlockings on a high mast there has to be two or three heads to convey the proper signal indications (at this location). For instance, if there was a train past the first siganl past the other end of the siding in the picture (2 blocks ahead) then the signal in the picture would show a "Medium Approach" or a Red over Yellow over Yellow. There could be a train waiting in the siding to come out and go the other way so you wouldn't expect the middle light to be yellow with a train sitting in the siding. May be a little confusing at first but one eventually gets the hang of it.

[Justin]

With interlocking signals, the arrangement of lights conveys the speed and the track condition. Green over Red means clear at authorized track speed. A more restrictive aspect will be displayed when the switch is set to the siding. This is due to the fact that a train can only go a certain speed through a power operated switch. Looks like the one in your picture is designed for 30 mph so a medium aspect would indicate a movement into the siding.

[sd70accsxt700]

Bill W, do the old CR Signals give you guys that much heads up. I could only wish the CSX signals over here did that. The best we get, based on your example, with the exception of two places, is Clear to Approach, to Stop.

[Hogger1225]

Hmmm, coming off the NS at MA heading for Turner St, we get a Medium Appraoch Medium at MA, Medium Approach at North Lansing.

[sd70accsxt700]

Must be just a GR guys thing. None of the signals all the way from Walbridge to Saginaw, or Plymouth to Detroit, do it.

[signalman]

SBS (former CSX) at Hoyt/Saginaw gets Medium Approach Slow and Medium Approach when lined south at Hoyt from the main to the siding. Aspects depend on what is happening at South Hoyt.

[sd70accsxt700]

After rereading Bill W's post, I believe I was miss understanding what he was saying, I thougt he was saying going down the main, there would be a Approach Medium, then a Approach, and then a Stop with a train ahead. Yes going into a siding, you would have the Medium Approach Slow, then Slow Approach, then Stop. That is that way on all the CSX, I was reffering to going down the main and not the siding. On the CSX going down the main the best you can get in any one area, is a Clear, then Approach, then Stop.