RailRoadFan.com

So I recently went back out to Royal Oak to do some railfanning and noticed that the southbound signals only have 2 lights now. They used to have 3 lights but have since reduced it to 2 signal lights. Does anyone know why this happened?

CN has a relatively indecisive company culture of constantly changing signals (and train numbers, origins, destinations), and track configurations, relative to other Class 1s. Less signal indications are needed or possible at certain Control Points with new track configurations, so less lights are needed. Less electricity, less maintenance, less testing, etc, and to stay complaint with any government regulations.

ConrailDetr​oit wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 05, 2023 11:25 am

CN has a relatively indecisive company culture of constantly changing signals (and train numbers, origins, destinations), and track configurations, relative to other Class 1s. Less signal indications are needed or possible at certain Control Points with new track configurations, so less lights are needed. Less electricity, less maintenance, less testing, etc, and to stay complaint with any government regulations.

Interesting observation/comment on company culture. Unless you work for the company, how can you comment accurately on company culture?

Additionally, when has CN changed signaling assets on its own accord in Michigan? All of the modern LEDs, control points, etc are all a result of the US Federal Government PTC mandate (not ‘CN company culture’)

From an observational foamer perspective and hearing insider perspectives; comparing the different railroads, CN has a tendency to change things up more often than the other railroads for various valid reasons.

CN is changing everything to Speed Signaling on the Holly Sub

CN is changing the signal system from Speed signaling to Route signaling.....they are doing it in small sections at a time....right now everything south of W. Pontiac has been changed over to Route signals

What's the difference between Speed and Route signaling?

Buster Manning wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:33 am

CN is changing the signal system from Speed signaling to Route signaling.....they are doing it in small sections at a time....right now everything south of W. Pontiac has been changed over to Route signals

Speed signaling tells how fast you can go, route signaling tells you where you are going and you need to know what that entails. For example, on CR a red over green tells you you can pass the signal at Medium speed (30 mph) and resume track speed after your train clears that signal. On NS route signaling means the same indication can mean you are lined into the yard where restricted speed is in force.

Speed signals tell you what speed is expected by what they indicate at that location or the next or even the second signal ahead of you

Route signals tell you what your route will be by what they indicate at that location or the next or even the second signal ahead of you

both systems use SOME, but not all, of the same signal aspects....most of the difference is the language used....like " Diverging Clear", instead of "Limited CLear, or Medium Clear, or Slow Clear"....your train is moving from one track to another---one system tells you what speed you should make that move at, the other just tells you that you are changing tracks and you should know what speed to make that move

Thank you Buster and Tim

With speed signaling, will the system automatically control speeds for a meet?
I mean, so the trains meet at the same time so neither train has to stop?