US Signals 101 (And Maybe other regions) (Warning: Screenshots)

ctclark1

Member
I'll start this here. This is everything I've learned about signals in Trainz and how they correlate to prototypical signalling, at least in the US (speed-signalling). This may apply to other regions, however places like the UK/Europe I believe mostly used route-signalling, which is completely different. For the most part, I'll try not to get into the actual NORAC (or GCOR/CROR) rules for signals, other than to explain specific things you'll see with the Trainz signals. There are many sites online already that do this, and can be found by using Google.

Information is liable to move around as I go, and I'm going to put a few placeholder posts in after this first one, but feel free to ask questions after that!

We'll start with screenshots of the different types (04, 05, etc) and their general uses. Initially I'll focus on general uses of Searchlight and Vader styles (the "typical" signals seen nowadays). I'll get into other signals such as PRR or B&O signals later.

These screenshots were taken in TANE using the JointedRail signals, I'll go into setting them up, as well as similar signals by rrsignal, which seem to be the two most common scripted signals, using TS12 screenshots soon. I'm not endorsing any specific creator's signals, these are just what I happened to pull up first, and these follow the number scheme that was in question recently.

SIGNAL TYPES AVAILABLE IN TRAINZ USING THE NUMBER SYSTEM
The general types are listed, with the specific signal shown from the DLS in italics.


Type 01 or 08, 3 head w/o nameplate - Searchlight Signal 08 Interlocking - Used for diverging tracks where a more complicated setup may exist, such as multiple possibilities for routes, or more specifically where a route within the interlocking requires a slow speed route to be indicated. This is an Absolute signal, meaning that under no circumstances can a train pass this at all red. In the older 01 series, the bottom head was never properly implemented by Auran/N3V, so will always display red. In newer scripted signals these are usually correctly programmed to indicate slow routes, if you setup that route in the properties window.
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Type 02/L02 or 06 Diverge, 2 head w/o nameplate - Searchlight Signal 06-RD - Used for diverging tracks, to the right. Use L02 or LD for left diverges, however in use these can be interchanged by setting the proper junction directions in the properties window. Also used for converging lines where there is a speed reduction over the switch (ignore the one on the right in the picture). This is an Absolute signal, meaning that under no circumstances can a train pass this at all red. The 06-RD and 06-LD from JR are basically scripted replacements for the older 02 and L02 series, but they do the same things (except that the 02 series could only control one junction and got funky if there were multiple junctions on the divergent side - see http://trains.0catch.com/Tut4-IntroToSignaling.htm specifically the last section "Signaling with diverging routes") The 06's allow you a more prototypical way to control multiple junctions with one signal, as opposed to putting one at each junction as had to be done with the 02.
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Type 03 or 06 Approach or Distant (sometimes 06 is omitted), two head with nameplate - Searchlight Signal Approach/Distant - Used in advance of an absolute signal in automatic or block signaled territory, this gives indication to the engineer of what to prepare for at the next signal. Under most rules the engineer must begin braking, if the signal indicates, as soon as he has passed the signal. The presence of a nameplate indicates this is a permissive signal, meaning even at all red, he may proceed by it at no faster than 15mph (varies by railroad), able to stop in half the distance he can see. I'll get into why this is later. Again, the older 03 series is unscripted in most cases, however at the same time there usually isn't a lot of scripting involved with the 06/Approaches either. In this image you can see the absolute signal that this signal is the "approach" to in the distance, at the next junction. An "offset" signal, where the top and bottom heads are not in a vertical line, is also used to help indicate a permissive distant signal. Examples of this will be shown in future posts.
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Type 04, single head w/o nameplate - Searchlight Signal 04 - Used as a signal on straight thru lines, where no divergence is possible and no speed restriction is necessary over the switch. As you may be able to figure out by now, since there is no nameplate, this signal is an absolute. No passing at red. Period. Because of the lack of route options with this type, even using newer styles these are typically not heavily scripted, so even JR's signals remain type 04. I goofed on the left and right routes, these should be 02/06 signals.
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Type 05, single head with nameplate - Searchlight Signal 05 - Automatic block signal, used in long stretches essentially for train spacing purposes, to keep trains from running into the backs of each other (also, if used right, to prevent cornfield meets). Again, the nameplate indicates this is permissive, meaning the engineer can pass it at red, again prepared to stop in half the distance of his sight. I'll explain this half-distance thing now -- "Why not just as far as he can see?" Well, take the cornfield meet example I mentioned - if two trains are heading for each other and aren't prepared to stop in HALF the distance they can see, there's no chance they'll both stop in time to not hit each other. By saying "half the distance" both engineers should presumably see each other at roughly the same time and in theory should stop just before their front couplers meet... In theory... This doesn't totally apply in trainz, as I've yet to see an AI train pass a permissive signal at danger, and I've certainly never had to rely on my sight distance in Trainz when I can easily check the map to see if my route is clear or not. But the rule is there and now you know why.
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I used searchlight signals here, but these rules generally also apply to the Safetran C-Light "Vader" and tri-light styles, basically anything that is considered a "color light signal", where multiple heads are used to display one color each in an aspect. Dwarf signals in the "color light" style are similar in that they display a series of colors from top to bottom. In Trainz they generally follow the same "types" as their larger counterparts, where available.

As I said, I'll also get into PRR (Position Lights) & B&O (Color Position Lights) in the future. Amtrak NEC signals are essentially colored versions of the PRR Position Lights, so those will be covered then as well.
 
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The RRS signal series

Here I'll go into the options for signals available and their basic setup. I'm not going to go into the advanced lighting controls, block lengths, or plate options here. Maybe later.

First, some naming convention of RRS - First is the style (SL2 SL = small target searchlight, SL3 SL = large target searchlight, TRI CL = Trilight colorlights, RDG CL = Reading Colorlights), then the number of heads, in parenthesis is whether they are preconfigured for (a)utomatic or (i)nterlocking, then the placement and mounting. Additionally the colorlights (TRI and RDG) have indicators as to how many colors they have per head (3-3-0 would be RYG/RYG/No head, 2-3-2 would be RY/RYG/RY). Because these more advanced ones cannot display certain aspects (ie, no green on top or bottom for 2-3-2) they cannot be used everywhere, see below.

So, in roughly the same order as above, we'll start with the 3-head/no nameplate, as in 01 or 08 above.
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Ignore what is shown as the selected signal on the right. This is the initial properties for the SL2 SL 3-Head(i) RP Full Aspect RRSignal. Now, if you only have a simple left or right diverge you can simply set your switch direction and speed and leave it be. But let's say you have a more complicated setup with intervening switches between the signal and some of the routes.
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This is the adjacent track to the signal above. Same signal, but now I've switched to Advanced config. I've also named the next signal you encounter on each route (a requirement for advanced config). The signal down the main route is 819, so that is set for route 1, Normal speed (no restrictions moving through the switch). The second route, approaching signal 600, is the left diverge at Junction 10. When the switch is aligned for this route, the signal will show a medium indication (middle head). If the switch was aligned for the right diverge at junction 6 the bottom head would be used, the top two would be red, because it is a slow route.
It is important to note that because of the intervening trailing junction 16 coming from the adjacent track, I would have to use advanced mode here whether or not I had multiple diverges, because trainz can't tell the difference between facing and trailing, it only reports the first switch in basic mode. Even if junction 6 didn't exist and we only had the left diverge at 10, the signal would not be able to report the diverge properly because of 16.

Here we have a 2 head/no nameplate, similar to an 02 or 06 signal above.
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Again ignore the selected signal in the tab, this is SL2 SL 2-head(i). Here, because we only have one junction to deal with, I can leave the mode as basic and just set my switch direction and speed. If I needed to indicate a slow switch speed instead, I could not use the 2 head, and would have to use the 3-head above, because the signal logic basically tell the non-existent 3rd head to be green so it'll look red to you because there's no head to show it on. This applies to the 06 series as well.

The 2 head/with nameplate, ie the 03, or the (06) Approach/Distant. RRS allows this in multiple configurations - Vertical, Staggered right over left, or Mirrored Staggered left over right. I used the Mirrored stagger because it's what the route I am currently modeling used.
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This is the SL2 SL 2-Head(a) RPM Staggered Head (Mirrored). Again, this is used as the signal prior to an absolute signal/junction. This one would be approaching the junctions I showed above. When leaving any RRSignal in Automatic mode, there is no difference between Basic and Advanced Config. You set your number plate accordingly, position, color, etc. You can also have a 3-head Automatic (staggered) signal, but I didn't go into detail because I've only seen one in any prototypical route I've built.

Single head/no nameplate, as in the 04 above. Used to signal a trailing point convergence where there's no speed restriction over the switch.
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Facing away from us are three SL2 SL 1-Head(a) signals. "But wait, these should be interlockings!" Yes, but the SL2 series doesn't have a 1-Head(i) option. Fortunately as I said at the beginning, you can reconfigure any of these as necessary. In the config, simply change the type to Interlocking and remove the nameplate, then set your switch and route speed. Eagle-eyed viewers will notice I goofed twice in this screenshot - I forgot to remove the nameplate from the main route in the middle, and in reality the other two should be 2 head signals because they need to indicate medium speed over the switches. By further argument the one on the left approaching junction 4 should be a 3-head as it should be a slow switch speed, but that's dependent on whether you need to show this or not.

Finally, single-head with nameplate, as in type 05 above.
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This is also an SL2 SL 1-Head(a) as above, but I've left it as Automatic and left the nameplate on it. Not much more to say on this one.

Any signals that are the next down the line when configuring advanced routes, whether automatic or interlocking, must be named in the properties box (not the nameplate). I find it good practice to name them all anyway, either by the interlocking and track they control, or something similar to their nameplate (milepost and track number). Since these don't have to be the same as the nameplates, you can get more descriptive with your naming if you have a hard time figuring out where a signal is just by milepost.

Configuration of the TRI and RDG styles is basically the same. As I mentioned above you need to be careful if you pick one of these that doesn't show all three colors on the heads, as you'll run into a similar problem as with the 2-head signal trying to show a slow route - make sure you know what speeds your signal needs to show and pick accordingly.
 
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Great tutorial. Just a minor correction: 2-headed signals actually can display Restricting, and frequently do, as Red over Yellow. If you're setting Restricting onto an unsignalled line, like a yard or industrial track, be sure to have an invisible signal beyond the RRS signal so that it can "see" that at least some part of the line is clear.
 
I'm glad you guys are finding this useful! When I get this all done here I might consider reworking it into a pdf, although I think this will be a work in progress for a while.

Let me ask you, because as I'm diving deeper into working this tutorial up, I'm finding myself wanting to explain the signal aspects further and have kind of been holding back... Do you think I should incorporate the actual aspects possible/involved, as in an actual tutorial into signalling overall? Like, taking the signal rules for NORAC and working them into these?
I think the hardest part is I'm limited in characters per post (including the screenshot links) so I have to constantly reword things into fewer words, which will get harder if I try to work the actual signal rules into it too.

You're right rrsignal, and I stand corrected. I should've known that.
 
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Just to let you know, there's an Apple App that has several different searchlight signal types (one head, gantry, etc.) and explains NORAC. You can tap on each signal lights to change colors (Red/Yellow/Green/Lunar/Dark) and it'll show the corresponding NORAC designation. I have it on my iPhone.

Just went onto the iTunes Store, and located it. It's called Signals: A Rail Signal Reference. It's available free and for iPhone only.
 
I'm glad you guys are finding this useful! When I get this all done here I might consider reworking it into a pdf, although I think this will be a work in progress for a while.

Let me ask you, because as I'm diving deeper into working this tutorial up, I'm finding myself wanting to explain the signal aspects further and have kind of been holding back... Do you think I should incorporate the actual aspects possible/involved, as in an actual tutorial into signalling overall? Like, taking the signal rules for NORAC and working them into these?
I think the hardest part is I'm limited in characters per post (including the screenshot links) so I have to constantly reword things into fewer words, which will get harder if I try to work the actual signal rules into it too.

You're right rrsignal, and I stand corrected. I should've known that.

Honestly, I think Mark D. Bej's page (broadway.pennsyrr.com) is the best resource ever. Around the middle of the page he has an explanation of color-lights and another with position-lights. The page has been around since 1996 or so and is where I learned all the aspects. There's also concordance and info on learning the semaphore aspects on Mr. Bej's page, which can be useful in understanding how PLs evolved the way they did. Bej's page even has some oddball and specialty aspects.

There have also been books put out by railroads explaining how to understand the system of figuring out aspects e.g. yellow on a top head makes it some kind of "approach" followed by a qualifier on a second or third head to add words to the get the final name and, thus, the aspect itself. I have one of these although I don't know where it is. Here's one relevant to CSX:

http://www.blet375.com/csx-Signals-REDI-Center.pdf

Conrail has their own, and probably most railroads do.
 
This is probably one of the more accurate descriptions I have seen here on these forums for BNSF/UP signaling. For the most part you are correct for the information that is really pertinent for the average sim user. I do have a few little bits to add here or there that need a little tweaking (I saw at a quick glance).

Type 03 or 06 Approach or Distant (sometimes 06 is omitted), two head with nameplate - Searchlight Signal Approach/Distant - Used in advance of an absolute signal in automatic or block signaled territory, this gives indication to the engineer of what to prepare for at the next signal. Under most rules the engineer must begin braking, if the signal indicates, as soon as he has passed the signal. The presence of a nameplate indicates this is a permissive signal, meaning even at all red, he may proceed by it at no faster than 15mph (varies by railroad), able to stop in half the distance he can see. I'll get into why this is later. Again, the older 03 series is unscripted in most cases, however at the same time there usually isn't a lot of scripting involved with the 06/Approaches either. In this image you can see the absolute signal that this signal is the "approach" to in the distance, at the next junction. An "offset" signal, where the top and bottom heads are not in a vertical line, is also used to help indicate a permissive distant signal. Examples of this will be shown in future posts.
The signal does not necessarily indicate a brake application scenario, between UP and BNSF there is some variation in rules given. UP requires all Freight to immediately reduce speed to the given speed of the indication, while passenger trains (PAX) are required to prepare to pass the next signal at their indicated speed. BNSF is a bit different in they have a number of indications that only require freight trains to reduce speed to pass the next signal at the indicated speed. Of course both follow the prescribed speed through turnout rule. So depending on circumstance the signal does not require immediate braking by the engineer; in a PAX train situation the engineer may not touch the brakes for a good deal of time after taking a signal, it's one of those rules that gets very complex very fast because it is extremely flexible to cover a multitude of situations.

Restricted Speed
6.27 Movement at Restricted SpeedWhen required to move at restricted speed, movement must be made at a speed that allows stopping withinhalf the range of vision short of:
• Train.
• Engine.
• Railroad car.
• Men or equipment fouling the track.
• Stop signal.or
• Derail or switch lined improperly.

When a train or engine is required to move at restricted speed, the crew must keep a lookout for broken railand not exceed 20 MPH.

Comply with these requirements until the leading wheels reach a point where movement at restricted speedis no longer required.
Of course this rule is specific to those covered by GCOR like UP and BNSF. I cannot vouch for how other roads phrase it, but one of the important aspects I wanted to highlight is the use of the word "within" because a lot of railroads will emphasize this tremendously due to the reason people often times like to swap it for "in." I will say there is a huge difference between these two words; the biggest of which is the difference between a near miss and a nasty accident.



Type 05, single head with nameplate - Searchlight Signal 05 - Automatic block signal, used in long stretches essentially for train spacing purposes, to keep trains from running into the backs of each other (also, if used right, to prevent cornfield meets). Again, the nameplate indicates this is permissive, meaning the engineer can pass it at red, again prepared to stop in half the distance of his sight. I'll explain this half-distance thing now -- "Why not just as far as he can see?" Well, take the cornfield meet example I mentioned - if two trains are heading for each other and aren't prepared to stop in HALF the distance they can see, there's no chance they'll both stop in time to not hit each other. By saying "half the distance" both engineers should presumably see each other at roughly the same time and in theory should stop just before their front couplers meet... In theory... This doesn't totally apply in trainz, as I've yet to see an AI train pass a permissive signal at danger, and I've certainly never had to rely on my sight distance in Trainz when I can easily check the map to see if my route is clear or not. But the rule is there and now you know why.

Automatic signals or intermediates (depending on what system and how used) are not really relegated to just one area. You can find them in both CTC and ABS territories for GCOR. Simply put they are signals that automatically adjust indications based on conditions of rails ahead. Outside the control of a dispatcher or control operator they are often placed in areas there is no need to add additional manual adjustment by the dispatcher or control operator such as areas between interlockings (short or long). In reality there could be as little one signal between points up to any number deemed necessary to provide adequate protection to trains. In my operations area we have some places that have simply one intermediate signal between two control points less than a quarter mile apart. Generally speaking they don't really space trains, simply they work together convey only the condition of the block(s) ahead.

Just a little nitpick on the passing a permissive red signal, some roads still follow a stop and proceed procedure for these circumstances that simply require the train stop to observe the signal before continuing on at restricted speed. Others do not or have moved to abolish it sometimes merging it with other indications (notably BNSF late last year abolished "stop and proceed" merging it with their restricting signal indications). I won't really go into depth, but finally you bring special instructions or timetable instructions into the mix to add additional restrictions and rules.


Sources-
GCOR 7th Ed 2015
UP special instructions (current)
BNSF special instructions (current)
BNSF rule change 8/3/2015
UP/BNSF regional timetables (current)


cheers
 
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These don't save in Route Layer. that's why I won't use them. Neither do the ones that Justin Michael Roth created. I'd use them if they saved in route layer. If they save in route layer, then I can program them once the way that they need to be for every session. Also how about having a 3 light over 2 light set-up that are US Signals. These are the signals that precede a facing point of a siding, they're permissive/intermediate signals. Have a Green-Yellow-Red and then have an option to have the bottom two lights either a Yellow-Red, Green-Red or Lunar-Red. Also have a menu option in the properties to choose to make them route signals or speed signals. Case and Point, a Red over Green where I live is a Diverging-Clear, not a Medium-Clear, also have a single flashing red option for a restricting move for the #4 single head absolute signals in case they're following another train. All the signals should save in Route Layer. It would make things so much easier. Also the Safetran Color light signals. Why is there no #6 double aspect intermediate/distant signal, that's just a head? There's a right and left one, but no signal that's just a head that can be mounted to a mast, the Safetran signal mast, then they could be back-to-back and used for bi-directional signaling. I have to put them on gantries all the time especially with multiple tracks. Is there a way someone could create this #6 intermediate signal that's just a head?
 
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