Railway Signals Quiz

Long Island Rail Road Employee Training and Development - Signal Reference Manual

• This manual is for pre-employment training of engineer trainees
• Students are responsible for identifying signal names and indications
• Students are not responsible for notes during this training phase
• Signal identification is based on light aspects (position or color) or the whole signal flashing
• Flashing portions of a signal change its name and indication
• Examples of signal types used on the LIRR are provided
  • Pedestal Light, Low Light, G-Head signal, Low Color Light, GCT Signal, 3 Head Color Light

Fixed Signals

• Students must identify signal names or aspects with 100% accuracy
• Signal aspects can be indicated by the position or color of the lights
• The entire or part of the signal may flash, altering its indication
• A flashing symbol on the signal indicates a flashing portion

Temporary Manual Block Signal

• Signal names, "Clear-block" and "Stop-signal"
• Indications for "Clear-block": Proceed; manual block clear
• Indications for "Stop-signal": Stop

Absolute Clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed; track clear to next interlocking signal. Approach next interlocking signal prepared to stop.

Approach-Medium Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching next signal at Medium speed.

Medium-Clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed; Medium speed within interlocking limits.

Absolute-Medium-clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed; Medium speed within interlocking limits. Track clear to next interlocking signal. Approach next interlocking signal prepared to stop.

Approach-Slow Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching next signal at Slow speed. Train exceeding Medium speed must at once reduce to that speed.

Approach Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching next signal prepared to stop. Train exceeding Medium speed must at once reduce to that speed.

Caution Signal

• Indication: Train exceeding medium speed must at once reduce to that speed. Where a switch is connected with the signal, approach that switch prepared to stop. Approach next signal prepared to stop.

Slow-clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed; Slow speed within interlocking limits.

Absolute-Slow-clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed; Slow speed within interlocking limits. Track clear to next interlocking signal. Approach next interlocking signal prepared to stop.

Slow-approach Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching next signal prepared to stop. Slow speed within interlocking limits.

Flashing Slow-approach Signal

• Indication: Train will proceed in accordance with signal indication within interlocking limits and after clearing the interlocking, proceed under absolute clear indication to the next interlocking.

Restricting Signal

• Indication: Proceed at Restricted speed.

Stop-and-Proceed Signal

• Indication: Stop; then proceed at Restricted speed.

Stop-Signal

• Indication: Stop

Block-limit Signal

• Indication: Limit of the block.

Absolute Proceed Signal

• Indication: Proceed; slow speed within interlocking limits. Track clear to next interlocking signal. Approach Next interlocking signal prepared to stop.

Proceed Signal

• Indication: Proceed, governed by cab signal indications.

Restricting Proceed Signal

• Indication: Proceed; restricted speed within interlocking limits, then governed by cab signal indications outside of interlocking limits.

Slow Proceed Signal

• Indication: Proceed; slow speed within interlocking limits, then governed by cab signal indications outside of interlocking limits.

Restricting Signal

• Indication: Proceed at Restricted speed.

Stop-signal

• Indication: Stop

Approach Block-limit Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching next block-limit signal prepared to stop. Train exceeding Medium speed must at once reduce to that speed.

Stop signal/Train order Signal

• Indication: Stop/Orders

Train order Signal

• Indication: Orders

Distant Switch Indicator (DSI) - Caution Indicator

• Indication: Facing point switch(es) open. Trains exceeding Slow speed must at once reduce to that speed approaching switch or switches prepared to stop.

Distant Switch Indicator (DSI) - Clear Indicator

• Indication: Facing point switch(es) closed.

Yard Switch Indicator

• Indication: White: Switch normal, proceed at Restricted speed. Yellow: Switch reverse, proceed at Restricted speed. Red: Switch not normal or reverse, route must be verified. The Conductor or Engineer must examine the switch points to verify that the points fit the rail properly before movement may be made over switch at Restricted speed.

Main Track Switch Target

• Indication: For diverging route / Switch lined normal for main track

Stop board

• Indication: Stop then be governed by timetable special instructions, General Notice or Bulletin notice.

End of Block

• Indication: Train must operate in accordance with rule 153.

Yard limit board

• Indication: Main Track Yard limits.

Begin ASC

• Indication: Automatic speed control begins.

ASC Cut out

• Indication: Entering cut out loop.

Standard Whistle post

• Indication: Approaching crossings at grade for which rule 14L must be sounded.

Roadway Workers portable whistle post

• Indication: When roadway work is being performed in multiple track portions of the railroad, a white banner below the "W" on the yellow background shall be used to indicate the track occupied by the roadway workers for which rule 14L must be sounded as a warning.

Quiet Zone Indicator

• Indication: Approaching crossing at grade for which Rule 14L will not be sounded except as specified by Special Instruction.

Spring switch marker

• Indication: Spring switch.

Approach / Distant signal marker

• Indication: Visual reminder to engineers of trains that Rules 28B and 33B apply between the distant signal and the home signal.

Clearance Point sign

• Indication: The location at which equipment must clear to access a track(s) for facing point moves in the opposite direction.

Delay in block sign

• Indication: Visual reminder to engineers of trains that Rules 28B and 33B apply when a station stop is made at this station.

Permanent speed restriction sign

• Indication: Reduce speed as prescribed by timetable.

Temporary Speed Signs ----RULE 38A

• Temporary Advance Speed-limit sign / Temporary speed-limit sign / Temporary resume speed sign

Begin MTEA

• Indication: The location at which MTEA limits begin. Trains must operate in accordance with rule 155.

End MTEA

• Indication: The location at which MTEA limits end.

Approach Limited Signal

• Indication: Proceed approaching the next signal at Limited speed.

Limited Clear Signal

• Indication: Proceed at Limited Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches

Advance Approach Signal

• Indication: Proceed prepared to stop at the second signal. Trains exceeding Limited Speed must begin reduction to Limited Speed as soon as the engine passes the Advance Approach signal.

Medium Approach Signal

• Indication: Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the Medium Approach signal is clearly visible.

Restricting Signal (page 21)

• Indication: Proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has passed a signal displaying a more favorable aspect or entered non-signaled DCS territory.

Stop-and-proceed Signal (page 21)

• Indication: Stop; then proceed at Restricted speed.

Stop-Signal (page 21)

• Indication: Stop

GCM Signals

• Indication: Proceed, governed by cab signal indications.

Reduced Proceed Signal

• Indication: Proceed, governed by cab signal indications.

Stop and Proceed Signal

• Indication: Stop then proceed at Restricted Speed.

Stop Signal

• Indication: Stop

Tips (page 24)

• Signal diagrams and blank space for note-taking are provided.

Test your knowledge on railway signal indications and their meanings. This quiz covers various signals including stop, proceed, and caution signals, as well as their implications for train operations. Perfect for aspiring train operators and railway enthusiasts.