How do Australian train signals work?

Question

Just wondering what green, yellow and red mean on Australian train signals. Thanks!

Answer 1

It rather depends where in Australia you are!

In Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia, the signalling systems are the same as that used in the UK. This means that there's typically a three aspect (colour) signal head, very like a road traffic light. Unlike roads though, the middle aspect, yellow, means 'caution, be prepared to stop at the next signal'. Red means stop, green means the next signal will also be green or at least yellow. You cannot go from a green signal straight to the next at red, as a train needs a significant braking distance, unlike a car.

South Australia and New South Wales use rather different signalling systems, the technicalities of them are best explained on the Wikipedia page linked to below.

Victoria uses either semaphore (signal arms horizontal or at 45 degrees) or colour light signals based on USA signalling practice, the technicalities of which can be found on the second link below.

Finally, the third link below gives links to very detailed technical descriptions of Australian signalling, if you're interested.

Hope that helps.