Study questions. train signal lights?

Question

What does the lights mean for Union Pacific, when a trains on the tracks and the signal lights are Yellow, Green or Red, what do they all mean? How many miles is a train and when any given light is up what can or can't a train do!

Thanks so much! (I need to get all the questions right! I really want to get this position!)

Answer 1

In all honesty, I am shocked Union Pacific doesn't give you a Signal Rules Book, Timetable for the Division you will be working and a Union Pacific Rules Book.  Anyhow, here is some help.

The lights mean many things when a train is on the tracks.  I found a 1988 Union Pacific Signal Guide and I am sure that many of the signals are still in use today.

-Union Pacific Signals (1988)

http://www.lundsten.dk/us_signaling/aspe...

--Shows the signal, the rule number, and explains the signal's meaning.

As a CSX person, the signals are mainly for the engineer to tell him the correct speed the train should be going at and what to expect ahead at the next signal.  It is the conductors job to call the signal and know the correct speed, so if the engineer is speeding the conductor can tell him to slow down.  THE CONDUCTOR IS IN CHARGE OF THE TRAIN.

Some examples of CSX Signal Meanings:

-A Medium Clear:      Red over Green

----Medium Speed through turnouts, crossovers, sidings, power-operated switches, then proceed.

-Limited Approach:           Red over Flashing Yellow

-----Limited Speed through turnouts, crossovers, siding, power-operated switches, then proceed, prepared to stop at next signal.

-Slow Clear:                     Red over Red over Green

-----Slow speed through turnouts, crossovers, sidings, power-operated switches, then proceed.

Some Generic signals:

-Clear Signal:                   Green     or Green over Red....etc

----Proceed

-Approach Signal             Yellow     or Yellow over Red.....etc

----Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must immediately begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Signal.

Stop Signal                       Red     or Red over Red....etc

-----Stop

-Restricting Signal            Lunar...or...Red over Lunar... or.. Red over Red over Lunar

-----Proceed at Restricted Speed

These are just CSX examples and speeds vary at all locations due to track conditions,etc.  So the Union Pacific may have different speed variations of Medium, Limited, Slow, etc.....If you ever need to check on maximum allowed train speed on the track you are traveling refer to you Division Timetable

Answer 2

here take a look at this site i found ..

http://www.nswrail.net/library/signallin...

and

http://www.railway-technical.com/US-sig....

hope this helps

Answer 3

System Special Instructions page 102

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_sig...

you will find your answer here ...on this web sight .

Answer 5

You may want to go to the Federal Railroad Administration site and down load the GCOR, General Class of Operating Rules - its a big PDF that you can print out..in it you will find whole chapters on signals:  CTC ( Centralized Train Control), ABS ( Automatic Block Systems ) , cab signals, rules on aspects and indications -  there is far more than I could address here.  But google the F.R.A and see what you find in the current rulebook - Most railroads have time tables that have more specific rules that may govern the meanings and signal rules even further.....but this an " it all depends " kind of question.

From distance signals to semaphors to interlocking plants to CTC and ABS signals...or even switches...there is a lot of ground to cover.

Answer 6

That is an enormous topic with many ramifications and permutations.  Much too much to answer in this space.

Try the web addresses given in answers above, and just try an internet search on "railroad signaling."

Good luck