CSX Signal Conventions

[x2000]

From https://www.trainorders.com/
Date: 02/18/10 07:21
CSX Signal Conventions
Author: CO5232

CSX in the past few years has had THREE sets of signal aspects & indications:

-- "Seaboard" signals, found on former SCL, L&N, et al territory. These are designated by their rule numbers without prefix of suffix letters.

-- "Chessie" signals, found primarily on former B&O/C&O/WM lines. this includes all aspects found on the CPL signals. These signals carry the same rule numbers, but prefixed with a "C", e.g., C-281 (Clear)

-- "Conrail" signals, found where you might guess. These are the NORAC Signal Aspects and Indications, rule numbers prefixed with a "CR", e.g., CR-281.

All three sets of aspects and indications are speed-based, that is the home signal at a control point would display either Slow, Medium or Limited Clear depending on turnout speed in the route vs. the "one-size-fits-all" Diverging Clear typical of western roads.

Probably the biggest difference between the various aspects is the Seaboard rules allow lunar aspects for Restricting, whereas Chessie/Conrail aspects use the tradional (for them) bottom yellow. I haven't seen the latest CSX book, so I don't know if CSX has embraced the flashing red aspect for Restricting like the GCOR roads. If they're using LED signal heads I'd guess they have.

The special instructions for each subdivision will tell you which set of signal rules are in effect.

CSX System Standard for new installations is the Seaboard style. When they re-installed the second main from Pine Jct. IN to Willard, OH the CPLs were all removed and color lights conforming to the SBD aspects were installed.

In my ticket-punching days at Amtrak, I had to know the Chessie signals to work to Grand Rapids (they also had a couple of aspects unique to the ex-PM up there, like a green-over-green dwarf -- not a CPL-- for Clear) and the SBD aspects to work to Garrett, IN or the ex-Monon to Indy. These little variances always made CSX rules classes, shall we say, interesting...

NZ