signals

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Bromsgrove Society of Model Engineers

New Signalling System – May 2006

General
The new signals have been designed to be an improvement over the previous system, and have the following features:-

1) The whole of the track is signalled, rather than just the area around the station.
2) All signals can be either colour light or semaphore, with the exception of the gantry signal in the station, which is colour light only.
3) The signals are approach operated. This means that the normal condition for a signal is “STOP”, it will only change from this aspect if a train is approaching and the track is clear.

This document will refer mainly to colour light signals. An appendix details the aspects shown by semaphore signals.

Notes for drivers:-
A red signal means STOP!
A yellow signal means that the next signal is showing RED. Adjust your speed so that you can stop at that signal.
A green signal means that the next signal is yellow, although it may change to green before you get to it.

Supplementary signals
The signal immediately before the station has two additional features.
1) An illuminated ‘P’, this indicates that the platform staff would like you to stop at the platform.
2) A calling on indicator. This is two white lights arranged on a diagonal. When this is illuminated, you may pass this signal slowly, and draw up to the rear of the train that is already in the station. Note that if a second train has been called on into the station, it MUST NOT leave until the station signal has returned to green after the first train has left.

The station signal has one additional feature, an illuminated ‘R’. This indicates that the station staff have given the “right away” to the train in the station.

Care with observing the correct signal
As you drive around the track you may see signals other than the next one. Remember to take notice ONLY of the signal that applies to you – be careful of “reading through”.

Signals unexpectedly changing to red
Normally, you will not see the signals change to red as you go past them, so if at any time the signal that you are approaching turns from green or yellow to red, STOP. This is most likely as you leave the station and the station staff have seen something dangerous.

Other hazards
Remember that obstructions on the track such as branches will not operate the signals. The signals do not remove the responsibility of the driver to keep a good lookout at all times.

Notes for train guard
Guards should read and understand the notes for drivers.
If the train is approaching a red signal and the driver has not applied the brakes in good time, it is the guard’s duty to apply the brakes.

Notes for station staff
Station staff should read and understand the notes for drivers.

Station signal controls
The station signal control box is shown below. You will see that there are seven buttons, arranged as two columns of three and an emergency stop on the top.

	The emergency stop puts some signals to STOP. It is intended that it will be used when station staff see something wrong with a train after it has been given the “Right Away”. Press the button down to operate, and twist to release.
	Press the left hand red button to ask the driver to stop at the platform. The left hand red button and the “P” indicator on the signal next to the clubhouse will then light up. The train will automatically clear the request when it comes into the station. If you decide that you want to cancel the request before the train arrives, press the right hand red button.
	To call on a train waiting outside the station, press the left hand white button. The left hand white button will light up. The call on will only work if there is already a train in the station and one waiting outside. Pressing the right hand white button will cancel the call on, which will also happen automatically when the train leaves.
	To give the driver of the train in the station the “Right Away”, press the left hand blue button. To cancel, press the right hand blue button. Note that the blue buttons are not illuminated, because the “R” indication on the station signal can be seen by the station staff.

This picture shows the station signal with the “Right Away” indicator to the right of the signal.

Station signal

Signal 7

This picture shows the signal immediately outside the station, near to the clubhouse.

The “P” indicator informs the driver that the station staff would like him to stop at the platform.

The two diagonal white lamps are the calling on signal. If this is illuminated a driver may pass a red signal here and be prepared to stop behind a train that is already in the station.

Appendix 1.
Semaphore signals

The three aspect colour light signals may be replaced by semaphore signals. In all cases the subsidiary indications (“P” indicator, calling on signal and “R” indicator) do not change. The three aspects shown by the semaphore signals are as shown below.

	This means STOP at this signal, and is exactly equivalent to a RED indication from the colour light signals. At night this signal would appear as a RED light over a YELLOW light.
	This means “Be prepared to STOP at the next signal”, which is currently showing a “STOP” condition. This aspect is equivalent to a YELLOW indication from the colour light signals. At night this signal would appear as a GREEN light over a YELLOW light.
	This means you may PASS this signal and you will not be required to stop at the next signal. This aspect is equivalent to a GREEN indication from the colour light signals. At night this signal would appear as a GREEN light over a GREEN light.