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Hi guys, first time I've posted here and I've a question.I enjoy watching the trains pass by near where I live, and the RR line that passes through town is the C & O (ok CSX, Pere Marquette, Detroit & Grand Rapids, etc. The Grand Trunk & The Ann Arbor used to access the city of South Lyon as well, but not in over a decade with the former and not in over 100 years with the latter.) Since I don't have a radio scanner, my only way of finding out if trains are coming is by the signals on the track (the line is pretty busy with various trains marked CSX, Canadian Pacific, & Soo Line) and in this particular instance, the west facing signal was indicating Approach (Yellow over Red over blank...the majority of the signals on the line are GRS searchlights, and this one protects an bypass interlocking, hence the blank is yellow when the train needs to pass onto the siding and off when it doesn't) which usually tells me that two trains will pass each other. I will usually drive to the other side of the interlocking because the train from the west (Brighton) usually arrives first before the train from Plymouth diamond. However the signal for the other direction wasn't indicating Medium Approach (Red over Yellow over Yellow) and I know the train hadn't arrived yet. I drove up further and noted the ABS signal (which is usually off unless a train is approaching or has passed) was blinking green. My question is, is what does the blinking green aspect on a high signal indicate? I checked the CSX Signal Rules and found no mention of such an indication. I've seen blinking green on dwarfs to tell the engineer that he can leave the interlocking (Clear Medium I think or Medium over the switch & then proceed at full), but this is the first time I've seen this on a high signal. This ABS signal had one searchlight facing west and in addition to the number plate, it also sports an "G" plate (Grade); I thought perhaps it might have indicated restricting, yet the signal can show red and the train can pass at restricting speed, and there really is no reason for a limited/medium clear in that area as the next interlocking (Brighton) isn't for 3-4 miles at least, and the Brighton interlocking has its own approach/absolute signals to guard it.Also, do "G" plates indicate the beginning or the end of a grade?Sorry if these seem like stupid questions, but I'm just curious.
>My question is, is what does the blinking green aspect on a >high signal indicate? I checked the >href="http://www.wvrail.railfan.net/signals/";]CSX Signal >Rules and found no mention of such an indication.A blinking signal usually means a less restricting indication than a solid signal. Exmaple: In Canada (CN / CP) yellow means approach and the next signal will be red; slow and prepare to stop at the next signal. Flashing yellow means advanced approach. The next signal is yellow and the second signal is red. Hence flashing yellow is less restrictive than solid yellow.In the Candian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) a single flashing green is not mentioned. By the above definition, flashing green, is impossible. Green means clear. A less restrictive indication is impossible.According to my brother-in-law, who is a signals and crossings maintainer for CN, flashing green is sometimes used when sidings are close together. I understand flashing green to mean clear to the next siding but not beyond.Considering that flashing green is not officially mentioned in any documentation I am aware of, I am assuming that it would be included as special instructions for a section of track or for a particular subdivision. >Also, do "G" plates indicate the beginning or the end of a >grade? In the United States the "G" plate indicates that the signal is on a grade and that if the signal is red, it is a permissive signal. This means the train may pass the red but only at restricted speed. In Canada, restricted speed means the train must be going slow enough to be able to stop in half of the distance visible or a maximum 15 mph.Hope this helps.Cheers, Gary C. Grande Prairie "The last civilized stop before Alaska," AB Canada
with the CSX, if it's a blinking green, it usually means Clear slow. Or procede at slow speed. This is sometimes used in cases where mow crews are working in the next block.Another possibility was it was an Approach Limited signal.
In this part of CSX territory, a blinking signal indicates a diverging route. Steady green, you're clear, keeping same track. Blinking green, you're clear, but you're taking a turnout. I see that aspect very frequently at Haley Tower, as trains turn off the St Louis Line, and onto the CE&D Sub. Pop