Exit Stage Right - Leaving Signaled Territory

Typically I write about railroad signaling, occasionally touching on non-signaled block systems such as TWC or DTC.  Each are more or less straightforward on their own, but things can get interesting when transitioning from one to another, specifically from signaled territory to non-signaled territory.   the three primary methods are:

1. Exiting at a Manual Block signal
2. Exiting over Restricting
3. Exiting at a sign

Although some of these have a few additional complexities that I will go into below.

WINSLOW Jct on the PRSL had two exits into Manual Block territory.

 Under mostly defunct manual block systems, trains would be admitted to the block by a manual block signal, typically under a modified Clear indication like Rule 280 Clear Block in the PRR Rule book.  These signals would be located at the start of manual block territory directly after the interlocking or on the last signal on a route that could lead to manual block territory.  A signal less favorable than Clear Block would be preceded by an Approach-type indication.

NORAC Rule 290 Restricting into DCS territory.

With the coming of Track Warrant systems like Conrain's Form D Control system (DCS), trains moving from signaled territory to DCS territory would be given a Restricting indication, regardless of the trains DCS movement authority.  In fact this method of operation was written into the text of NORAC Rule 290.

Proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has cleared all interlocking and spring switches (if signal is an interlocking or CP Signal) and the leading wheels have:

1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal, or
2. Entered non-signalled DCS territory

 This is also the standard when trains are moving into a yard or non-signaled sidings, although in those situations the train is entering Restricted speed track as opposed to a non-signaled block system.

Seaboard Rule 290 Restricting into Collier Yard.

In addition to placing the Restricting signal at the entrance of the interlocking, it can be placed on an exit signal allowing higher speeds throughout interlocking limits.

Exiting at a sign means that signaled territory ends at a sign instead of a signal.  This can be used with signaled approach blocks to allow reverse direction trains to occupy the approach block without needing to get a track warrant, as seen below on the old D&H near Saratoga Springs, NY.

 

Where signaled approach blocks are not present, the exit sign can be used at the end of interlocking limits.  As with the Restricting exit signal, this allows a more favorable indication, such as Approach or Slow Approach, to be displayed at the start of the interlocking.  This in turn allows higher speeds for pretty much the cost of a sign and also better supports non-restricted speed track as, unlike the Restricting signal, Restricted speed is not necessarily required if the train possesses non-signaled movement authority.

NJT ARCH interlocking eastbound home signal.

Recently a more radical take on the exit sign has started cropping up.  Instead of treating the signal as a virtual restricting signal demanding an Approach-class signal in advance, some railroads, including Norfolk Southern, have been configuring their interlockings to display Clear-class signals into an end of signaling sign, even if that sign is located at the interlocking limits.

For example, at CP-PORTER, shown above, the main track signal displays Approach for a straight route towards Restricted speed track marked by a sign at CP-PLANT.  However it also can display Slow Clear for the diverging route directly into a Track Warrant territory (Rule 171) sign at CP-PORTER's southern limit.   The only other option is Restricting if the route is occupied within the interlocking itself.

Trains being signaled into Yard Limits directly north of CP-PORTER get an Approach-class signal on the straight route, but a Slow Clear on the northeast wye track.  While all this inconsistency can technically be considered safe as the signs technically overrule the preceding Clear-class signal.  Still, I am not a fan of this practice as it is important to never violate the contract that a Clear-class signal provides two clear blocks ahead and an Approach-class one clear block.  Unless approach blocks are being used, a signaling system has no idea about the state of the track in unsignaled territory and a Clear-class signal would be writing a check the signaling system cannot guarantee.