Signals

Question 1

What are the types of two-position signals? (2)

Answer 1

• light
• disc

Question 2

What are the classes of two-position signals? (5)

Answer 2

• disc
• dwarf
• distant
• calling on
• home

Question 3

What do two-position home signals protect? (5)

Answer 3

Stations
Signal boxes
Sidings
Level crossings
Junctions

Question 4

Two-position signal:
What does a home signal at the stop position indicate? (4)

Answer 4

Points – unknown
Track ahead – may or may not be occupied
Speed – stopped
Next signal – unknown

Question 5

Two-position signal:
What does a home signal at the proceed position indicate? (4)

Answer 5

Points – set
Track ahead – clear
Speed – track speed or what is required
Next signal – unknown

Question 6

Two position signal:
If the calling on signal is at normal, what does the light look like?

Answer 6

It is extinguished.

Question 7

How many tracks does a calling on signal apply to?

Answer 7

Only ONE

Question 8

What train movements do disc signals control? (4)

Answer 8

Running line to running line
Running line to siding
Siding to siding
Siding to running line

Question 9

Can a two-position signal be placed on the same post as other classes of signal?

Answer 9

Yes – particularly disc signals.

Question 10

What does a disc signal (or a two-position dwarf) at STOP indicate? (4)

Answer 10

Points – may not be set
Track ahead – may be occupied
Speed – stopped
Next signal – unknown

Question 11

What does a disc signal (or a two-position dwarf) at PROCEED indicate? (4)

Answer 11

Points – are set
Track ahead – may be occupied
Speed – ‘precautionary speed being able to stop short of any obstruction’
Next signal – unknown

Question 12

What train movements to two-position dwarf signals control? (4)

Answer 12

Running line to running line
Running line to siding
Siding to siding
Siding to running line

Question 13

What two aspects does a dwarf signal on the same post as a home signal (ie a siding dwarf) display?

Answer 13

Normal (extinguished) and proceed (yellow light)

Question 14

How are multiple two-position signals on the one post read?

Answer 14

Left to right, then top to bottom
1 3
2 4

Question 15

What are the types of three-position signals?

Answer 15

Only one – light

Question 16

What are the classes of three-position signals, and how are they differentiated? (3)

Answer 16

Home (placed vertically)
Automatic (staggered)
Dwarf (one light at a time)

Question 17

What do three-position home signals protect? (5)

Answer 17

Stations
Signal boxes
Sidings
Level crossings
Junctions

Question 18

What are the controlled three-position signals?

Answer 18

Home and dwarf (controlled by signaller)

Question 19

What is the uncontrolled three-position signal?

Answer 19

Automatic (controlled by passage of trains)

Question 20

Do uncontrolled home signals exist?

Answer 20

Yes – particularly in the MURL. To do with the authority needed to pass at stop.

Question 21

What is the primary purpose of automatic signals?

Answer 21

To expedite the passage of trains

Question 22

Which train movements does a three-position dwarf signal control? (4)

Answer 22

Running line to running line
Running line to siding
Siding to siding
Siding to running line

Question 23

Which classes of signal are ‘absolute’, and what does this mean?

Answer 23

Home, dwarf, and disc signals are absolute (normally controlled signals)
This means a driver cannot authorise themselves to pass these signals at stop

Question 24

Which class of signals are ‘permissive’, and what does this mean?

Answer 24

Automatic (ie uncontrolled)
Means a driver, following Rule 1 s 3, may authorise themselves to pass these signals at stop

Question 25

What are marker lights and why are they used?

Answer 25

Permanent red lights on a three-position signal. They are used when the signals are ONLY going to indicate either normal or medium speed, so are fitted in either the A or B position rather than a light that changes.

Question 26

What does a Clear Normal Speed signal indicate? (4)

Answer 26

Points -- are set Track ahead -- is clear Speed -- track speed Next signal -- at proceed

Question 27

What does a Normal Speed Warning signal indicate? (4)

Answer 27

Points -- are set Track ahead -- is clear Speed -- track speed (whilst able to stop at next signal) Next signal -- at STOP

Question 28

What does a Reduce to Medium Speed signal indicate? (5)

Answer 28

Points -- are set Track ahead -- is clear Speed -- normal track speed BUT -- speed must be 40km/h before the next fixed signal Next signal -- at proceed

Question 29

What does a Clear Medium Speed signal indicate? (4)

Answer 29

Points -- are set Track ahead -- is clear Speed -- 40km/h Next signal -- at proceed

Question 30

What does a Medium Speed Warning signal indicate? (4)

Answer 30

Points -- are set Track ahead -- is clear Speed -- 40km/h (while being able to stop at next fixed signal) Next signal -- at STOP

Question 31

What does a Stop signal indicate? (4)

Answer 31

Points -- may not be set Track ahead -- may be occupied Speed -- STOPPED (reverser set to OFF in Comeng, off/neutral in a Siemens or X'Trap) Next signal -- unknown

Question 32

What does a Low Speed Caution signal indicate?

Answer 32

Points -- are set Track ahead -- may be occupied Speed -- maximum 15km/h Next signal -- unknown

Question 33

What is the 'normal' position of a low speed caution signal?

Answer 33

When the yellow light is extinguished -- obey the aspect on the home signal.

Question 34

What train movements does a low speed caution aspect control? (4)

Answer 34

Running line to running line Running line to siding Siding to siding Siding to running line

Question 35

Can a low speed caution signal be used for train movements into a bi-directional portion of track?

Answer 35

No.

Question 36

What does an illuminated 65 or 80 on a three position signal indicate?

Answer 36

The presence of high speed points.

Question 37

What does an illuminated 65 or 80 on a three position signal change?

Answer 37

The maximum speed for a Clear Medium Speed aspect -- whatever is indicated by the illuminated lights. (NOTE: when lights aren't illuminated, Medium speed reverts back to 40km/h)

Question 38

What does a Clear Medium Speed signal with an illuminated 65 indicate?

Answer 38

Points -- are set Track ahead -- clear Speed -- 65km/h Next signal -- at proceed

Question 39

What does an illuminated letter 'A' on a three-position home signal indicate? (3)

Answer 39

That the signaller has 'switched out' The signal in question is functioning as an automatic signal. The points are set for the main line.

Question 40

What is another word for a signal box being 'switched out'?

Answer 40

'Fleeting' mode

Question 41

What indicator is there that a signal box has 'switched out'?

Answer 41

A 'Signal Box Closed' sign displayed in a visible location

Question 42

When a signal box is 'switched out', is it considered attended or unattended?

Answer 42

Unattended

Question 43

What aspects can be displayed by a three-position dwarf? (3)

Answer 43

Stop Low Speed Caution Clear Low Speed

Question 44

What does a Stop aspect from a three-position dwarf signal indicate? (4)

Answer 44

Points -- may not be set Track ahead -- may be occupied Speed -- STOPPED Next signal -- unknown

Question 45

What does a Low Speed Caution aspect from a three-position dwarf signal indicate? (4)

Answer 45

Points -- are set Track ahead -- may be occupied Speed -- maximum 15km/h Next signal -- unknown

Question 46

What does a Clear Low Speed aspect from a three-position dwarf signal indicate? (4)

Answer 46

Points -- are set Track ahead -- clear Speed -- maximum 15km/h Next signal -- at proceed

Question 47

What is the purpose of a banner indicator?

Answer 47

To indicate aspect of signal when the signal itself is blocked from view.

Question 48

Is a banner indicator a signal?

Answer 48

No.

Question 49

What should you do if a banner indicator is defective (ie one or both lights failing to display an indication)?

Answer 49

Report to appropriate Controller. Proceed as if next fixed signal is at STOP

Question 50

What does a round white light on a banner indicator signify?

Answer 50

That the next signal has a marker light in that position.

Question 51

What aspects can a banner indicator show?

Answer 51

Red -- horizontal line Yellow -- diagonal line Green -- vertical line

Question 52

Where are repeating signals, and what is their purpose?

Answer 52

Around Frankston. Used to signify the change from two-position signal use to three-position signals.

Question 53

What is a block section of track?

Answer 53

The portion of track from signal box to signal box.

Question 54

What is a track section of track?

Answer 54

Smaller portions of track within block sections, demarcated by automatic signals.

Question 55

What are the three aspects displayed on a repeating signal?

Answer 55

Warning (next signal at stop) Proceed (next signal at Normal Speed) Reduce to Medium (same meaning as other three-position signals)