RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.

 

WESTERN MARYLAND RWY
SIGNAL ASPECTS
From Rulebook Dated November 1st, 1913

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This rulebook from 1913 shows us a number of interesting things.

First, and most noticeable, is the use of white for the CLEAR aspects, and green is used for the CAUTION aspects, which today, is called APPROACH.  The Pennsy and New York Central changed the white and green colors to what we use today in their 1916 rulebooks.

The rules are numbered simply 1 through 6, and the other indications are not numbered at all.

Lastly, the names for the six different indications repeat, in other words, rules 3, 5, and 6 are all CLEAR SIGNAL.  I am also unsure how the engineer differentiates between the single semaphore displaying the horizontal "stop" indication in rule 1, from the indication of rule 6, low speed proceed.  Even with all of the advancements that had been made in signal technology by the early 1900's, these Western Maryland rules illustrate why refinements were still needed in signaling practices, naming, and indications on many railroads.

NOTE: I need to find this rulebook and check a couple of the aspects, a couple of mistakes may have crept in :-(

If you are interested in what the rest of the rulebook has to say, some of it appears here on the www.railroadiana.org website at:
http://www.railroadiana.org/paper/pgPasses.php


Click here for the PDF version.

 

 



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Last Updated: 11/05/2016