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So here's something that has been on my mind since last Friday's massive Q335. As they entered Grand Rapids the crew reported signal trouble just outside of the yard and was forced to hold. I don't remember the exact chatter on the scanner feed, but it sounded like the track that was opposite of the track that Q335 was on had the green signal. Clearly this was not correct, so several options were given to the crew to try and bypass the signal before it must've cooperated and changed for the correct track. Zach might remember better then me since he was stationed at Seymour (he must've been listening to the scanner feed at some point), but do you have to hold at a malfunctioning signal regardless of how its malfunctioning? Is there a point that the dispatcher takes over and gives orders to the crew?

I hope someone who knew what was going on chimes in because this description makes no sense.

If an absolute signal is red you don't go by unless you have permission from the dispatcher. Any improperly displayed signals must be taken at their most restrictive aspect.

CSX_CO wrote:I hope someone who knew what was going on chimes in because this description makes no sense.

If an absolute signal is red you don't go by unless you have permission from the dispatcher. Any improperly displayed signals must be taken at their most restrictive aspect.

As a add-on to what CSX_CO said, if anyone watches Danny Harmon's videos on his DistantSignal YouTube channel,he actually made 5 videos in a row explaining how to recognize CSX signals and what they mean.

No, I know what the signals mean, I'm talking about when you have a MALFUNCTIONING signal wjat do you do?

Signals are built to be fail-safe. Hence, you'll never get a more favorable signal if something goes wrong. In this case, it sounds like the RN punched in the wrong signal at Pleasant St compared to what they put in at Seymour. No big deal, they just got an approach at Madison instead of a clear, letting them know that a stop signal was ahead at Pleasant st. Simply call up the DS and let them know. I'm sure the RN just timed out Pleasant St and re-lined it for their track, given what you have described.

As far as malfunctioning signals, you're never really going to know for sure it is malfunctioning, but again you'll get a more restrictive indication. On intermediates, you'll get perhaps a restricting if something is really wrong, and at absolutes probably a stop. You can pass restricting (all red) on intermediates at restricting speed, but at absolutes you need to be talked by.

I'm sure one of our resident T&E can confirm what I am about to say. I'm quite sure that signal heads that are dark are to be read as their most restrictive aspect (basically insert reds for all heads). This works for just one light out, too. Insert reds where there isn't a light and go from there. Dark or missing signals require a call to the dispatcher, and bringing the train to a stop "in accordance with good handling".

For signals that drop in your face, or are changing out of coherence, I do believe that they're supposed to stop as soon as possible, in accordance with good handling. As in, you may not have to apply the emergency brakes.

MQT1223 wrote:No, I know what the signals mean, I'm talking about when you have a MALFUNCTIONING signal wjat do you do?

only thing you can do is stop and call dispatcher

Rob

If I get this correct all it means is that the dispatcher lined up the right signal but on the wrong track. Contact YM or dispatcher and say that..."Hey I'm not over there, I'm over here!" So you just wait for the dispatcher to knock that one down and reline the correct one.
Coming into Wyoming at Plaster, if you get permission from the DS to pass a stop you usually have to remove the power from the switches, line your route and gee, have a lot of fun, especially if its raining or winter. Try not to do that very often.
If your out at Pleasent then you have to take a nice LONG WALK past the NS switch, now the Amshack switch, the wye (both ends) down to Godfrey. They did that to us one evening under Franklin. We waited for a maintainer to do the dirty work and he finally fixed the problem...I ain't walkin that area at that time of night without a police escort...and we were on OT anyway.