First Part of Final on Automatic Block Signals for the Chicago & Utopia Ry.

After posting the information on the block signals on my layout, I started to think more about them. There were 2 areas of concern. The first is the signals in the area of the turnout leading to the stub track at the CRT Westchester station. See the 2 drawings for before and after .

These photos show the work in progress.

The new signal is on the near side of the turnout instead of after the turnout. The signal to be replaced shows a green aspect.

The 2 new signals are on the far left of the photo. They will replace the signal on the far side of the turnout displaying the red aspect.

The 2 new signals on the left are now active (Please excuse the blurry photo.) and the old signal removed.

The new signal in the 1st photo is active. The old signal is removed. The top signal head is for the route straight ahead while the lower signal is for the divergent route into the Westchester "L" station.

The 2nd area of concern is my use of the very small ground signals for automatic block signaling. This style of signals is more commonly found in rail yards. While I know it's risky to use the signals heads on masts (due to space restrictions), I thought it was worth the effort to try. The signal at the west end of the double track would not be a problem. The set of signals at the east end of the double track has 2 separate sets of signals to be mounted on the mast.

As mentioned the signals head on the mast at the west end has only green and red aspects. A signal mast removed from another location was reused. The signal head had been filed flat ala the South Shore (CSS).

The new signal is the one closest to you. Wait until you see the clearance with passing trains.

In case you were not aware, many years ago the CSS started to cut off the sides of the black background plate when individuals living near the CSS's tracks used the signals as target practice. Cutting off the sides of the signal reduced the size of the target. This reduced the amount of damage plus the target practice itself.

The sets of signals to be mounted to the east signal mast were different. East bound traffic had 2 signal heads for the home absolute stop signal protecting the grade crossing with a another railroad.


The other signal to be mounted on the mast is the automatic block signal for east bound traffic to be able to use the normally west bound main. The 2 tracks in the passing siding are bidirectional.

This is a close-up of the signal heads mounted on the mast. The ladder to reach the service platform was moved to the side.

More about clearance problems and mounting signals in the next post.

Cheers,
Ed