RAILROAD SIGNALS of the U.S.

 

NEW YORK CITY
TRANSIT SYSTEM

SIGNAL RULES and ASPECTS
from Rulebook Dated January 1, 1944
 

General Signal Rules
IND Division
BMT Division
IRT Division

RAILFAN GUIDES HOME
RAILROAD SIGNALS HOME


Way back in 1971 or so, my best friend John and I took a trip to New York City for a fun filled weekend on the subways.  We stopped by the TA headquarters to get a photo pass, and some nice fellow unloaded a stack of these rulebooks on us.

Notice the lack of rule numbers for the various signal indications.

In the BMT section, notice several of their aspects display purple.

In the IRT section, notice for their color light signals, green is on top, red is in the middle, and yellow is on the bottom of three aspect heads.  Also note that a dwarf semaphore signal for Section Breaks also displays red and purple!

My Grandparents lived in the Queens in between the IRT 69th St/Fisk Ave stop and the IND 65th St stop, so once I got old enough (mid 60's), I spent almost all my time riding the subways for 15 cents a day!  By the time I was aware of the signals, to my remembrance, all of the semaphores were gone... darn.  As a kid, one of the most impressive things I remember were the operators "riding the reds".... I remember seeing a description of this on the nycsubway.org site, but I couldn't find it a while ago.... I got a letter in to the author..... stay tuned....

This was truly a great time to be a rail and signal fan!

For more info, please check out the following sites:
     http://www.thejoekorner.com/out-the-front/signals.htm
     http://www.nycsubway.org/tech/signals/


  


General Signal Rules

         

     

Signal Rules preceding the signal indication section - some of the sheets are additions.


----- IND Division

 
Interlocking Approach and Automatic Signals on the left page,
Interlocking Home Signals on the right page.

 
Interlocking Home Signals on the left page,
Interlocking Dwarf Signals on the right page.

 
Signs and Markers on the left page,
Signs and Markers and Miscellaneous Signals on the right page.


----- BMT Division

 
Interlocking Approach and Automatic Signals on the left page,
Interlocking Home Signals on the right page.

 
Interlocking Home Signals, both pages.


Interlocking Dwarf Signals and Train Order Signals on the left page,
Interlocking Semaphore Home Signals on the right page.

 

 
Interlocking Semaphore Dwarf Signals and Switch Targets on the left page,
Signs and Markers on the right page.


BMT Miscellaneous Signals on the left page.
IRT Automatic Signals on the right page.


----- IRT Division


Stop and Stay Interlocking Signals on the left page,
Stop and Stay Interlocking Signals on the right page.


Stop and Stay Interlocking Signals on the left page,
Stop and Stay Interlocking Signals and Signal Target Pot Signals on the right page.


Proceed With Caution-Main Route,
Next Signal at Stop, or 2, NO Advance Signal Indication on the left page,
Proceed With Caution-Main Route, Next Signal at Stop on the right page.


Proceed With Caution Over Diverging  - Interlocking Signals, both pages.


Proceed With Caution at Slow Speed - Interlocking Signals, both pages.
 


Proceed - Main Route, No Advance Signal Indication / Automatic and Interlocking, both pages


Proceed - Main Route - Next Signal Clear on left page,
Proceed - Diverging Route - Next Signal Clear on right page.



Proceed - Main Route - Next Signal Clear on left page,
Pocket Signals - Proceed With Caution - Station Track Occupied on right page.


Pocket Signals - Proceed - Station Track Unoccupied on left page.
Moving Platform and Switch Targets on the right page.

 


Section Break Signals on the left page,
On the right page and addition to page 91 (below), Automatic Key sign, proceed in accordance with rule 36(n).



Reduce and Resume Speed Signs and Miscellaneous Signals.


Automatic Signals - Dyre Ave Route on the left page,
Interlocking Home Signals - Dyre Ave Route on the right page.



Interlocking Home Signals - Dyre Ave Route on the left page,
Interlocking Dwarf Signals and Switch Targets - Dyre Ave Route on the right page.

Miscellaneous Signals - Dyre Ave Route


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New 10/2008.....
Last Updated: 04/24/2015