Why does the siding track signal go from stop to clear when the train clears the manual interlocking but the main track signal remains at stop? Great Vid!
The siding signal clears up after the train passes to tell the siding crew to proceed on signal indication, provided a track warrant has been secured, while the train on the main has to stop and obtain permission and a track warrant from the dispatcher, in case a reverse movement needs to be made. A main line signal in the opposite direction remains red in case the train has to stop and make a reverse move. This requires the crew to obtain permission (not authority as this is ABS) to flag by the signal, and proceed at restricted speed. By the way, this really isn't a 'manual interlocking', but what is called an OS, meaning Opposing Signals. A manual interlocking by railroad definition is a crossing of two tracks whose signals are controlled by a dispatcher in CTC operated territory. Rick, BNSF Retired Engineer
+Richard Whitenight It's not difficult @ all. For example, here are the shots one can get in one day from Lamar, Colo., to Lamy area & return (or on to Grants, NM, area): the reservoir W of Lamar, wig-wags @ Delphi, Starkville area, Gallinas, Wooton Curve, Keota descent, exiting Raton Pass from the highway bridge (or Raton stn.), 1 location south of Raton (semaphores, mountain shots, etc.), Valmora or Shoemaker Cyn., or Watrous semaphores, Ojita seamaphores or Chapelle semeaphores WB, Rowe/ San Jose area, Apache Canyon exit Civil War shrine overlook or Lamy, then reverse: Apache Cyn. overlook EB, Rowe area, S-curve area, Chapelle semaphores, Wagon Mound semaphores (EB), S or Raton mountain background, etc. as you drive north on return. That's about 12 spots for photographing the train in the WB direction alone!
cruisevideo1 the close signals are facing the opposite direction of the train. If you look in the distance you’ll see the train pass a semaphore in the green position facing the correct direction.
what does the flags or what on the poles mean? I see the red light to me that means stop. do it mean the same thing to the driver of the train? Thanks for a very good video.
What you're referring to are called 'number plates', and tell us engineers that the red aspect is a 'restricting' signal, and trains passing must proceed at restricted speed, a speed that allows the engineer to stop the train short of any obstruction on the track ahead, not exceeding 20 mph for freight and 30 mph for passenger trains. A signal without a number plate is called an 'absolute' signal, meaning, you must get authority from the dispatcher before passing, and again, proceed at restricted speed. Rick, retired BNSF Engineer
wish the chief was that long in 2022, nice captures!
I appreciate you taking the the time to record this ancient signal technology!
Cool! Looks like the semaphores are not long for this world.
Nice shots! I railfan in an area where semaphores were rare, so these video shots are impressive to me.
Those semaphores are wicked. Great video John
Beautiful work! It looks like the semaphores are in the process of being replaced. Too bad!
Amazing coverage, been waiting a long time to see a recent video of the semaphores out there and you did a terrific job!
Great shots! Thanks for sharing.
706.1 and 706.2 are my favorite pair.
Love the shots next to those old signals. Are they going to have to replace them with the coming of Positive Train Control by chance?
Wow that's cool!!!.
At least in one shot it looked like they were installing new signals. Are they going to replace all the semaphores, or just some?
Really cool!!!
Why does the siding track signal go from stop to clear when the train clears the manual interlocking but the main track signal remains at stop? Great Vid!
The siding signal clears up after the train passes to tell the siding crew to proceed on signal indication, provided a track warrant has been secured,
while the train on the main has to stop and obtain permission and a track
warrant from the dispatcher, in case a reverse movement
needs to be made.
A main line signal in the opposite direction remains red in case
the train has to stop and make a reverse move. This requires the crew to obtain permission (not authority as this is ABS) to flag by the signal, and
proceed at restricted speed.
By the way, this really isn't a 'manual interlocking', but what is called an OS,
meaning Opposing Signals. A manual interlocking by railroad
definition is a crossing of two tracks whose signals are controlled by a
dispatcher in CTC operated territory. Rick, BNSF Retired Engineer
Excellent video. Do the semaphores have the ability to show "advanced approach"?
Richard Whitenight Just Stop, Approach, Clear. Thanks!
FrontRangeTrains thanks, excellent video. How many days was covered in that video?
Richard Whitenight That was all in one day.
FrontRangeTrains How difficult was it to get from location of one shoot to the next?
+Richard Whitenight It's not difficult @ all. For example, here are the shots one can get in one day from Lamar, Colo., to Lamy area & return (or on to Grants, NM, area):
the reservoir W of Lamar,
wig-wags @ Delphi,
Starkville area,
Gallinas,
Wooton Curve,
Keota descent,
exiting Raton Pass from the highway bridge (or Raton stn.),
1 location south of Raton (semaphores, mountain shots, etc.),
Valmora or Shoemaker Cyn., or Watrous semaphores,
Ojita seamaphores or Chapelle semeaphores WB,
Rowe/ San Jose area,
Apache Canyon exit Civil War shrine overlook or Lamy,
then reverse:
Apache Cyn. overlook EB, Rowe area, S-curve area, Chapelle semaphores, Wagon Mound semaphores (EB), S or Raton mountain background, etc. as you drive north on return.
That's about 12 spots for photographing the train in the WB direction alone!
I'm trying to understand these signals. 2:30 was the signal in the STOP position?
cruisevideo1 the close signals are facing the opposite direction of the train. If you look in the distance you’ll see the train pass a semaphore in the green position facing the correct direction.
James G I see it now. Thanks for the explanation.
what does the flags or what on the poles mean? I see the red light to me that means stop. do it mean the same thing to the driver of the train? Thanks for a very good video.
Up or Green means clear, Diagonal or Yellow means caution, and Horizontal or Red means stop.
+Taylorover9001 Thanks for the infor
What you're referring to are called 'number plates', and tell us engineers that the red aspect is a 'restricting' signal, and trains passing must proceed at restricted speed, a speed that allows the engineer to stop the train short of
any obstruction on the track ahead, not exceeding 20 mph for freight and 30
mph for passenger trains. A signal without a number plate is called an
'absolute' signal, meaning, you must get authority from the dispatcher before
passing, and again, proceed at restricted speed. Rick, retired BNSF Engineer
least hope it's a bad dream but I herd Amtrak want to kill this part of the line for stupid busses keep your fangers crossed.