RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.
NEW YORK CENTRAL RR
SIGNAL ASPECTS
1951
from Rulebook dated September 26,
1937, reprinted January 1, 1951
This New York Central rulebook is an interesting study in early signaling, much like that of the Western Maryland rulebook from 1913.
For instance, you won't see the green over green aspect today, EXCEPT for maybe some dwarf installations on former NYC trackage (that's according to the 1988 reference card for Conrail indications). This is because today, the generally accepted practice is to assign the top head to high speed routes and the middle head to medium speed routes, and you can't assign a clear to both at the same time.
Note rule 281 is called PROCEED instead of CLEAR as is the practice today.
Another thing not noticed until you examine the actual rulebook pages is that the signal indications don't have a NAME, as is customary today, they just have a description.
In looking at the rulebook pages, you will also note the following things:
The use of PURPLE as an
alternative to red in:
Rules 287 and 288 - In the bottom position of the
2 aspect dwarf color light dwarf signal.
Rule 290 - In the upper position of the 2 aspect dwarf
color light signal.
Rule 292 - Stop in all three dwarf signals: semaphore
and 1 and 2 aspect color light.
Rule 293 - Siding derail target, in derail position.
Note the use of BLUE in Rule 299A for
raising the water scoops.
Sorry, couldn't fit everything on the single page
reference.
Their is also no use or reference to doll posts / arms.
Click
here for my
quick reference sheet in PDF format.
The rulebook scans are below my quick reference sheets.
P.88/P.89 Signal Definitions
P.90 Signal Definitions
P.91 Cover Page For Signal Aspects, Signal Indications, and Signal Rules
P.92 Rule 281 - Proceed/Searchlights
P.93 Rule 281 - Proceed/Semaphores
P.93 Rule 281A - Proceed approaching second signal at medium speed
P.94 Rule 282 - Proceed approaching next signal at medium speed.
Train exceeding limited speed must at once reduce to that speed. Reduction
to limited speed must commence before passing signal and be completed before
accepting a more favorable indication.
P.95 Rule 282A - Proceed preparing to stop at second signal. Train
exceeding limited speed must at once reduce to that speed. Reduction to
limited speed must commence before passing signal and be completed before
accepting a more favorable indication.
P.95 Rule 283 - Proceed: medium speed within interlocking limits.
P.96 Rule 283A - Proceed preparing to stop at second signal: medium speed
within interlocking limits.
P.96 Rule 283B - Proceed at medium speed approaching next signal at slow
speed.
P.97 Rule 284 - Proceed approaching next signal at slow speed.
Train exceeding medium speed must at once reduce to that speed.
P.98 Rule 285 - Proceed preparing to stop at next signal. Train
exceeding medium speed must at once reduce to that speed. Reduction to
medium speed must commence before passing signal and be completed before
accepting a more favorable indication.
P.99 Rule 286 - Proceed at medium speed preparing to stop at next signal.
P.100 Rule 287 - Proceed: Slow speed within interlocking limits.
P.100 Rule 288 - Proceed preparing to stop at next signal; slow speed
within interlocking limits.
P.101 Manual block signals:
Rule 289 - Proceed
Rule 289A - Block occupied; proceed preparing to stop short of train ahead.
Slow speed must not be exceeded.
Rule 289B - Stop
P.102 Train order signals
Rule 289C - No train orders
Rule 289E - Train orders
P.103 Rule 290 - Proceed at restricted speed.
P.104 Rule 291 - Stop, then proceed at restricted speed.
P.105 Rule 292 - Stop
P.106 Rule 293 - Main track switch targets / Siding and yard switch
targets / Siding derail targets
P.107 Rules 295 / 295A / 295B - Temporary speed boards
P.108 Rule 297 - Railroad grade crossing signals (tilting targets)
P.109 Rule 299 / 299A - Track pan lights (lower/raise water scoop)
NEW 10/6/2006
Last Modified:
Thursday, 28 January 2010