Re: Crossing loop design (r.e. Southern Aurora crash)

[Simon L <listers@es.co.nz>]

This raises an question of interest, namely what signaling schemes are used in Aus.

NZ uses speed signaling after the finest British tradition, namely:

Signal masts have two sets of lamps. Upper unit indicates full speed, and lower unit
indicates so called medium speed.  While this scheme by definition doesn't actually
tell you where you are going in practice it is setup in conjunction with the points
so if they are set for the main line you get the top unit and if set for the loop
you get the lower unit.  Basically the combinations you get are:

Green over Red - Full speed
Yellow over Red - Full speed but be prepared to stop at next signal
Red over Green - Medium speed
Red over Yellow - Medium speed but be prepared to stop at next signal
Red over Red - Stop

Therefore you get an indication of where you are going, what speed you should be
doing, and how far you can go before you have to stop (assuming you know how far
away the next signal is and if you don't then what are you doing in the cab).

Regards
Simon

Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage