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Friday, February 28, 2025

Caught on Camera: Double Green Clear

 With the CSX takeover of the former Guilford Rail System empire, there's a real risk that we might see the end of double green clear signal indications in the wild. Most commonly associated with the New York Central, double green clear is an artifact of two position ABS semaphore signals with an upper head of R+G and a lower head of Y+G resulting in the combination of R/Y for Stop and Proceed, G/Y for Approach and G/G for clear. A part of the NORAC set of signal indications, its last common use was in New Englande on the former Boston and Main territory operated by the Guilford Rail System and the MBTA.

As previously covered, while Guilford wasn't perfect it did maintain a bunch of legacy signaling practices, like bracket masts, up into the 21st century. Even in places where new signals were being installed, two head "distant" signals to interlockings would still display G/G as opposed to G/R. In fact you can see it for yourself on Google Street view on the milepost 2xx intermediate signal adjacent to the Main St grade crossing in downtown Saco, Maine

Lit for an approaching train we see double green clear displayed on a thoroughly modern target type LED mast signal. In fact I saw this street view while scouting Guilford automatic signal locations on Google Maps and was not only able to locate the normally dark (approach lit) signal, but catch it displaying the coveted indication for a northbound Downeaster train. 

Unfortunately it appears that this location will be replaced by CSX within the year with no chance of it retaining the double green clear. However with 5 round trips a day, its pretty easy for anyone in the area to  catch it for themselves. 

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