Re: Puffing Billy Signalling at Menzies Creek

[G.Lambert@unsw.edu.au (Geoff Lambert)]

jdennis@acslink.net.au (John Dennis) wrote:

>Greetings,

>Although I am a member of PBPS I don't (currently) work as a
>volunteer, and obviously don't pay too much attention to the "Narrow
>Gauge" magazine.


>Another interesting feature is the new (to me) splitting distant
>erected facing down trains on the approach to the station.  The only
>examples in Victoria (to my knowledge) of two distant signal arms on a
>bracket are for trains approaching a junction, from the trailing side,
>where each signal arm applies to a different track; Echuca, Ararat
>come to mind.  

Another was Ballaarat East, for the main and Eureka(Buninyong) line.

>Were there any applications in Victoria of a genuine
>splitting distant signal?

>Can somebody post some information?

Someone should induce Jack MacLean to get onto the internet to answer
questions like this.  He would know.  

I do know that the rule-book never indicated that such signals
existed.  I have several "Book of Signals"s for the 1928-1967 period
and there appear to be none in that.

Splitting distants became a matter of some controversyas as to their
utility in the U.K. and most (all?) were eventually abolished.  There
is a nice illustration of the one at Reading and the use thereof in
Adrain Vaughan's "Great Western Railway Signalling".

Geoff lambert