Signals | O-Scale | NS and B&O, Color Position Light Style

COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNALS

Originally the N&W was owned by the PRR and used the same Position Light Signals.  When it broke from the PRR it continued to use the PRR signals until about 1962.  After a serious accident blamed on signal visibility, the N&W changed over to the COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL.  They omitted the center light and at the same time used green, yellow and red lights.  These were similar to other signals, but still they still retained the position aspects.

The B&O also used a basic COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL, but added additional marker lights to change the aspects.  These signals are also used today on the North East Corridor.

Atlas #6911 COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL

aTLAS #6912 COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL 4-PACK

Atlas will be offering the single target ground signal with the lower marker light (#6911).  Custom Signals will be offering the same style signal as a bridge signal (N&W-2).  These signals are intermediate signals used as ABS block signals.  They will display normal speed indications only.  These are indicated in the TCL as a circled target number such as “1W”.  This means that this is a full target and will display 3 “colors” or aspects.  The automatic sequence will be CLEAR, STOP, APPROACH and CLEAR.  Using the lower marker light will replace the STOP with STOP AND PROCEED if desired.  If you need an absolute signal, such as at a junction, the lower marker light would be disconnected.

N&W-52/55 COLOR POSITION LIGHT SIGNAL

Custom Signals will be producing this model.  These will function the same way as the PRR--52 or 55 signal. 

Throughout the TCL you will also find 3 target signals.  The basic function of a 3-target signal is to display all possible signal aspects.  The top target is for normal speeds.  The middle target is for medium and limited speeds (generally flashing).  The lower target is for slow speeds.  Applying the N&W signal to the TCL presents a problem since it only has at most 2 targets. 

My solution for the 3 target signal problem is the N&W-52 and N&W-55 version.  Even though they only have 2 targets, they both come with 3 signal control boards (SCB).  One SCB will control the upper target like the 6911 above.  The second SCB will be used for the middle target in the TCL.  It will control one diverting route.  The automatic sequence will be MEDIUM CLEAR, STOP, SLOW APPROACH and back to MEDIUM CLEAR.  A third SCB is used in place of the bottom target in the TCL.  It will control a second diverting route where restricted speeds are needed.  The automatic sequence is MEDIUM CLEAR, STOP, RESTRICTED and back to MEDIUM CLEAR.  Again the Medium Clear can be omitted in this sequence. If you only have 1 diverting route, you can choose either one of these automatic sequences.  The medium clear can still be omitted in either case. 

As you can see, there are no “SLOW SPEED” aspects displayed on either the bridge or ground signals.  Just like the PRR, the N&W generally used a dwarf signal for slow speeds.  If you want Normal, Medium or Limited and Slow speeds, you need to use the PRR-11 dwarf in place of the 3rd target.  This will give either of the automatic lower target aspect sequences above with the dwarf signal’s slow speed aspects substituting for either one of the lower target signal sequences.  Call or e-mail Custom Signals for more help. 

As with all the other signals from Atlas and Custom Signals, you can increase the number of aspects by using the BSF-1, Block Signal Flasher. You can find more information about this PCB in the Electronics Section