design
Signals...
Signals are an important part of
a real railroad, but actually a rarely modeled part of a model
railroad. The reason for this is simple, the cost of
creating an operating signal system is crazy expensive. The
signal examples you'll see below are $100 a piece for a single
mast signal and $150 for a double mast signal. Dwarfs are
about $30 each.
Signals are used to manage the flow of trains
over the road. They authorize trains to move from one block
of track to the next, while providing information about the track
in front of them. Semaphore signals were common in the steam
era, but the B&O had transitioned to their unique signals well
before the Chessie Era. A few still exist today.
Signals are also something that are generally
characteristic, if not unique, to the particular railroad.
The B&O, C&O and WM each had different signal
systems. The B&O system is called Color Position Lights
(CPLs). CPLs have been described as the most complete signal
system ever created. B&O CPLS are comprised of a main
head, with four possible colors (green, yellow, red and
lunar). Lunar is a bluish white color. The colors
indicate the occupancy of the track ahead of them. Green
means the two blocks in front of the train are clear. Yellow
means one block is clear. The red means that the next block
is occupied with another train. Lunar is used to give a
restricting indication. It basically means, go really slow
through a turnout and is typically used in interlockings and
coming or going on sidings. Additionally, the B&O had
marker lights above and below the main head. These indicated
speed into the next block. No marker is generally slow
speeds. The lower markers are for medium speeds. The
upper markers are for fast speeds.
Below is a graphic of a full signal, with all
possible lights. If the particular signal doesn't need a
main head or marker indication, due to its particular track
arrangement, then it is not installed on the signal.
Below are a typical example of a mast signal. The first is a
single signal for a single track. The other is a double
signal used on double tracks.
Below is a series of examples of dwarf signals. These are
used when a full sized signal won't fit in the area. They
are much smaller than a normal signal and are mounted close to the
ground.
Below are examples of my signals from Integrated Signal
Systems. They are perfect for B&O CPLs. The first
photo is the double track signal that goes near the Hancock
passenger station. It's a main line signal that has all four
colors on the main signal and a marker above and below the
signal. The second photo is a dwarf from near the
Martinsburg Fruit Exchange. This is typical of a dwarf used
on a siding that allows trains to come out on the main line.
It has only two colors, red and lunar. The final one is a
dwarf that has colors more typically seen on a main line
signal. It has three colors on the main head (green, yellow
and red) and a marker above and below.
Below are my first installed signals. The first photo is the
two signals coming into Martinsburg from the east. The real
mast signal at Martinsburg is an offset mast signal, since it is
mounted to the right of the track along the backdrop.
However, I don't have room to put the signal there, so I used a
standard mast signal between the tracks. This signal is for
No. 1 Main westbound. Also visible in the shot is the No. 2
Main's dwarf signal coming into town westbound. The second
photo is the dwarf for No. 1 Main eastbound heading out of
town. It is between the mains, which is a little unusual,
but this was where it was for real in Martinsburg, so I put it
there too.
