Railway signal facts for kids
(Great Britain)
A railway signal is a visual display device that conveys instructions or provides advance warning of instructions regarding the driver’s authority to proceed. The driver interprets the signal's indication and acts accordingly. Typically, a signal might inform the driver of the speed at which the train may safely proceed or it may instruct the driver to stop.
Application and positioning of signals
Originally, signals displayed simple stop or proceed indications. As traffic density increased, this proved to be too limiting and refinements were added. One such refinement was the addition of distant signals on the approach to stop signals. The distant signal gave the driver warning that he was approaching a signal which might require a stop. This allowed for an overall increase in speed, since train drivers no longer had to drive at a speed within sighting distance of the stop signal.
Under timetable and train order operation, the signals did not directly convey orders to the train crew. Instead, they directed the crew to pick up orders, possibly stopping to do so if the order warranted it.
Signals are used to indicate one or more of the following:
- That the line ahead is clear (free of any obstruction) or blocked
- That the driver has permission to proceed
- That points (also called switch or turnout in the US) are set correctly
- Which way points are set
- The speed the train may travel
- The state of the next signal
- That the train orders are to be picked up by the crew
Signals can be placed:
- At the start of a section of track
- On the approach to a movable item of infrastructure, such as points or switches or a swingbridge
- In advance of other signals
- On the approach to a level crossing
- At a switch or turnout
- Ahead of platforms or other places that trains are likely to be stopped
- At train order stations
'Running lines' are usually continuously signalled. Each line of a double track railway is normally signalled in one direction only, with all signals facing the same direction on either line. Where bidirectional signalling is installed, signals face in both directions on both tracks (sometimes known as 'reversible working' where lines are not normally used for bidirectional working). Signals are generally not provided for controlling movements within sidings or yard areas.
Images for kids
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A British lower-quadrant semaphore stop signal with subsidiary arm below
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A Finnish distant signal at the western approach to Muhos station is displaying Expect Stop. In the background, express train 81 is pulling away from the station.
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Mechanical semaphore signals at Kościerzyna in Poland
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Network Rail (UK) two-aspect colour light railway signal set at 'danger'
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German railway signals showing aspect Hp0 (Stop)
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Railway signal in Ploiești West railway station, Romania. This type of signal is based on the German Ks signals.
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Mechanism of a searchlight signal made by Union Switch & Signal, with the lamp and reflector removed to expose the coloured roundels
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PRR position light signal
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A dwarf CPL signal showing "stop". The three lamps above the main head allow "medium" and "slow" approach indications for the next signal.
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Swedish combined main and dwarf signal mounted on a post, displaying "Stop"
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A gantry of British semaphore signals seen from the cab of a steam locomotive
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Dwarf signal at Utrecht Centraal, Netherlands
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A signal used in the Delhi metro, typical of urban light rail signals
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Double disc signal (1846)
See also
In Spanish: Señalización ferroviaria para niños
