What are the rules of railroad signals?

Question

What are the rules of railroad signals?

Answer 1

It actually depends on the type of signal.If it's a red intermediate signal it's called a restricted proceed in the GCOR(general code of operating rules) which is used by most railroads in the USA.At a restricted proceed signal you can pass it at restricted speed without stopping.If it's a red absolute signal you have to stop before you pass it.An absolute signal is used at control points in CTC and at interlockings.If you get past a red absolute signal without permission your fired(or dead).

Answer 2

The track is divided into blocks. So when a train is ahead of you and you catch up to it, you will get a flashing yellow(proceed prepared to stop at the second signal and reduce to 40mph). Then Yellow (proceed prepared to stop at the next signal and reduce to 30 mph). Then a red signal for a stop. Think of it like city blocks with a traffic signal at each end. If your stopped at a red when the train ahead of you clears the block he's in you will get a yellow that allows you to move down to the next signal. Signals were designed to allow safe spacing of trains. If you sat at the red signal long enough for the train ahead of you to get some distance away your red signal would change to yellow, then flashing yellow, then green when the train ahead got far enough away. .

Answer 3

you stop at that signal..there should have been a caution signal a ways before you get to the red signal

Answer 4

If you run a red signal, almost all modern trains automatically go into emergency brake and the train comes to a tooth-jarring halt, blocking the line and impeding progress until the emergency brakes can be reset and the train restarted. This stop is also recorded onboard the locomotive and chances are, you'll get a not-so-friendly talk with some higher-ups.

I say almost all modern trains because the good old Green Line here in Boston has no such systems, and a recent crash involving a driver text-messaging while running a red light could have been prevented with this technology.

Answer 5

Depends on the railroad. On the MAX light rail in Portland Oregon, red means stop, orange means clear for one block, and green means clear for two blocks. On a different part of the same network, orange means stop and white means go.

Answer 6

not to sound sarcastic,but if your driving your car,and you run a red light,what do you think you have a huge chance of doing??Think about it.

Answer 7

All answers point to the same direction. Never pass a RED signal. If your train is in Auto mode, it will stop at that signal. If you are driving in Coded Manual, your speed will be reduced till you come to the RED signal and will never move. Unless you go in Restricted Mode to pass the RED signal or Signal at Danger. Do not attempt this unless the RED signal is countermanded by a staff at site.

Answer 8

I'm going to go with Coonie's answer for $1000

Answer 9

In the UK the order of signals is as follows:



Red: danger, stop

Yellow: proceed, caution, next signal is red

Double yellow: proceed, caution, next signal is yellow

Green: line clear



The block rules apply so that only one train can be in a section at any one time. Route indicators may consist of a bar of white lights known as a 'feather' which shows the direction the train is to take at a junction, or at some stations, an illuminated panel below the signal which shows the number of the track the signal refers to.



Shunting signals are normally placed near the ground and consist of two red lights for stop and two white lights for proceed.



In some places the older board or semaphore signals are still in place. A red and white arm horizontal means danger, stop and raised or lowered means line clear, proceed.



A yellow arm with a notch in the end and a black chevron horizontal means caution, proceed, next signal is at danger. The arm raised or lowered means the next signal is clear, also the signal after that which allows the train to enter the next block.



The older type of shunting signal consists of a circular or semicircular disc with a red band. The red band horizontal means stop while tilted at an angle means proceed.