What do the different train signals mean?

What do the different train signals mean?

The most constant signals and the easiest to understand are single-head block signals. Red means stop; green means proceed, and yellow means caution or approach, usually indicating that the next signal is red.

What do flashing red lights at a railroad mean?

STOP
TRAINS: Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean STOP! A full stop is always required. Make sure that there is no train traveling on the tracks and proceed.

What does a yellow light mean on a train track?

When in doubt, remember that the colors for railroad lights are universally recognized. Similar to traffic lights, red means “stop,” yellow means “slow” or “caution,” and green means “go.”

How do you read railroad semaphore signals?

For most types of semaphore arm, the colour of light shown when the arm is in the “on” (most restrictive) position generally corresponds to the colour of the arm itself (i.e. red for a stop signal, yellow for a distant signal). When the arm is in the “off” position, a green light is displayed.

What does a double yellow light mean trains?

Double yellow means that the next signal is yellow and you should be slowing down. Single yellow means the next signal is red. Red signal means you must stop, because there is a train in between the signal or the route has been set for another train.

What is the flashing light on the back of a train?

The end of train device (ETD), sometimes referred to as an EOT, flashing rear-end device (FRED) or sense and braking unit (SBU) is an electronic device mounted on the end of freight trains in lieu of a caboose.

How do you know when a train is coming?

If a signal is lit up and shows all red lights, it is possible that there is a train approaching from “behind” the signal as shown in the photo above. If a signal is lit and shows a green light at the top, that means it is cleared for a train to approach from the lit/facing side, so a train may be coming.

What does a green signal mean for a train driver?

Proceed
Signal meanings A green aspect (Proceed) tells the driver that their route is clear and that they can proceed at line speed.

What is a flashing yellow light mean?

with caution
Any flashing yellow signal means drivers are to slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution. A flashing red signal means motorists should come to a complete stop before proceeding.

How do railroad signals know when a train is coming?

The time interval may be controlled by a level crossing predictor, an electronic device which is connected to the rails of a railroad track, and activates the crossing’s warning devices (lights, bells, gates, etc.) at a consistent interval prior to the arrival of a train at a level crossing.

What does W mean on railway?

A simple ‘W’ on a square yellow board indicates ‘Whistle’. Train drivers are instructed to blow horn after seeing this board. W/L signboard on railway tracks indicates ‘Whistle for a level crossing. It simply instructs train drivers to whistle as there is a level crossing ahead.

What does a double yellow signal mean for a train driver?

Preliminary Caution
This ping does not have to be acknowledged and is there to alert the driver. A double yellow aspect (Preliminary Caution) tells the driver that their route is not clear after two signals ahead and they must slow down in preparation to stop at the red signal.

What does flashing green light mean?

pedestrian activated
A flashing green light on a traffic signal means the signal is pedestrian activated. So, when you approach a flashing green light, use caution, because the signal could be activated by a pedestrian at any time and you might have to stop and let the pedestrian to cross.

What are Mars lights on a locomotive?

Mars Lights are signal-safety lights used in the United States and built by Mars Signal Light Company for railroad locomotives and firefighting apparatus. Mars Lights used a variety of means to cause the light to oscillate vertically, horizontally, or both, to catch the attention of motorists and pedestrians.

Why are some locomotives backwards?

They’re on those rails so the rail is the only direction of travel they can go in.” Jacobs says it’s actually more efficient to leave locomotives facing whatever direction they are facing because it takes a lot of energy to pick a train up and turn it around so that it would face the other way.