http://broadway.pennsyrr.com - signalling

[pitmilly]

According to a 2016 Forum post, Mark.D.Bej produced a set of guidance notes covering Pennsylvania RR Position Light Signalling - http as above. My searches have been unsuccessful so far.

Does anyone know of these notes and can they please point me in the right direction?

Many thanks.

John

 

[JCitron]

You might find this site quite helpful and fascinating too.

Railroad Signals of the U.S.

He not only discusses how the signals work, he also goes into details on the signal aspects which I think you are looking for.

 

[pitmilly]

Hello John

Many thanks for your reply. The webpage you suggested is one of a number that I had located but your prompt caused me to have a thorough reread of it and I agree, there is some good information there.


Have also been reading Lundsten’s notes on “North American Signalling Basics” and his “PRR Absolute Permissive Block”. Using his schematics, I have installed a Permissive Block System on about 10 miles of a WIP which is part single and part double track with two diverging single track branches serving mines and small townships. This system (much to my surprise) appears to work perfectly BUT, this entire installation was achieved using just one signal type - the post mounted PRR PLS05 Style D produced by SeniorChief(?) – (2:61556).


My objective now is really getting to grips with the exact functions of the eighteen or so (Types PLS01 to 05/Styles A to G), other signals in that same range, how/why their prototypes were selected and positioned to meet given track and traffic situations and how this links in with the PRR Rule Book. I have a very basic understanding of Types 1 to 5 signals but the various Pennsy upper and lower head combinations together with the plain posts or equipment boxes option in SeniorChief's range is posing a few additional questions. I think I was hoping for the definitive idiot’s primer on the subject, hence my interest in the 2016 article.

Again many thanks.

John

 

[JCitron]

Hello John

Many thanks for your reply. The webpage you suggested is one of a number that I had located but your prompt caused me to have a thorough reread of it and I agree, there is some good information there.


Have also been reading Lundsten’s notes on “North American Signalling Basics” and his “PRR Absolute Permissive Block”. Using his schematics, I have installed a Permissive Block System on about 10 miles of a WIP which is part single and part double track with two diverging single track branches serving mines and small townships. This system (much to my surprise) appears to work perfectly BUT, this entire installation was achieved using just one signal type - the post mounted PRR PLS05 Style D produced by SeniorChief(?) – (2:61556).


My objective now is really getting to grips with the exact functions of the eighteen or so (Types PLS01 to 05/Styles A to G), other signals in that same range, how/why their prototypes were selected and positioned to meet given track and traffic situations and how this links in with the PRR Rule Book. I have a very basic understanding of Types 1 to 5 signals but the various Pennsy upper and lower head combinations together with the plain posts or equipment boxes option in SeniorChief's range is posing a few additional questions. I think I was hoping for the definitive idiot’s primer on the subject, hence my interest in the 2016 article.

Again many thanks.

John

You're welcome. That site is fascinating and I'm glad to see the updated information on there regarding LEDs. I need to go back and take a look at that when I have time. I'm not sure Senior Chief's signals are scripted, or if they are they work the way they're supposed to in TRS19 and TANE. I was thinking too that the kind of information may be available at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and more likely at the Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania | Real Trains. Real History. Real Excitement. (rrmuseumpa.org)

National PRRT&HS Home Page (prrths.com)

I have found contacting the historical societies helpful when researching information such as this. They not only have access to archives we don't, they usually have someone on staff that knows this information you seek.