CSX Standard Color Light signal test tips - Reviewed 2024

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CSX Standard Signals (Rules 1281 – 1298)

SPEED SIGNALS: Slow, Medium, and Limited – Nothing Diverging


NAMES:

Middle aspect – Anything other than red, Medium somewhere in the name (unless it's flashing, then it's Limited)
Bottom aspect – Anything other than red, Slow somewhere in the name (unless it's flashing, then it's Medium)

Flashing bumps up one level. From Slow to Medium or from Medium to Limited.
Disregard any lower red lights (high stands and dwarfs), they only demonstrate that the light is working

Restricting(s) all have a lunar in them
R/Y high stand is Medium Approach
R/R/Y is Slow Approach.
All red with a G marker is Grade
All red with number plate or P is Restricted Proceed
Y/Y  is Advance Approach
R/Y/Y  Medium Advance Approach (same as CN)

More or less the dwarfs follow the same convention.

Read the lights on two headed dwarfs as if they were high stand signals.
Y/Y dwarf Medium Advance Approach is an exception (it's not an Advance Approach).
No dwarf (color light) for Approach

Read single head dwarfs like this:
Y is Slow Approach
G is Slow Clear (same as NS)

Disregard bottom reds on dwarfs just like high stand signals:
Y/R is Slow Approach (same as NS)
G/R is Slow Clear (same as NS)


INDICATIONS:

Slow, Medium, and Limited in indications  (No MPH). Just like NS.
Clear:  Proceed.  Everything else either proceed or 'not exceeding' except Restricting which is 'at'.

TCS OPP is my own acronym to help me remember. It is not a railroad term anyone else would know.

TCS OPP (applies to any signal that starts with a speed first in the name – Slow, Medium, or Limited)
Also, when speed is the first word in the name, it is also the first word in the indication.
[ XXX Speed]      ... through turnouts, crossovers, sidings, and over power-operated switches then proceed

TCS OPP applies to the nine signals below:

Limited Clear:  Limited Speed ... then proceed
Limited Approach:  Limited Speed ... prepared to stop next signal
Medium Clear:  Medium Speed ... then proceed
Medium Approach Medium:  Medium Speed ... then Medium
Medium Approach Slow:  Medium Speed ... then Slow
Medium Advance Approach:  Medium Speed ... prepared to stop second signal
Medium Approach:  Medium Speed ...  prepared to stop next signal
Slow Clear:  Slow Speed ... then proceed
Slow Approach:  Slow Speed ... prepared to stop next signal

Approach:  ... exceeding Medium Speed immediately begin reduction ... as soon as locomotive passes.

Restricting:                  Proceed at Restricted Speed.
Restricted Proceed:  Proceed at Restricted Speed
Grade:                          Proceed at Restricted Speed

Approach Slow:          Proceed, approaching next signal not exceeding Slow Speed.
Approach Medium:    Proceed, approaching next signal not exceeding Medium Speed.
Approach Limited:      Proceed, approaching next signal not exceeding Limited Speed.



Updated 9/13/22 R LENT
Reviewed for accuracy 8/29/24 R LENT

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