Signal rules (251, 253, 254)
Note: Rules 251 to 254 inclusive will be placed in effect by timetable special instructions
251. On portions of the railroad and on track specified in the timetable, trains will run with
reference to other trains in the same direction by block signals whose indications will supersede
the superiority of trains.
253. The Train Dispatcher must be advice in advance of any known condition that will delay a
train or prevent it from operating at maximum authorized speed.
254. Except ad affected by Rule 251, all rules of the Operating Department remain in force.
Signal Rules (261-264)
Note: Rules 261 to 264 inclusive will be placed in effect by timetable special instructions
261. On portions of the railroad and on tracks specified in the timetable, trains will be governed
by block signals whose indications will supersede the superiority of trains for both opposing and
following movements on the same track. Trains MUST NOT clear or enter the main track at a
switch not equipped with an electric lock without Form L authority.
262. A train for which the direction of traffic has been established must not move in the opposite
direction without proper interlocking signal indication or permission from the Train Dispatcher
through the Block Operator.
263. The Train Dispatcher must be advice in advance of any known condition that will delay a
train or prevent it from operating at maximum authorized speed.
264. Except ad affected by Rule 261, all rules of the Operating Department remain in force.
Fixed Signals Rules 280 to 296 inclusive.
One or more of the following methods shows signal aspects:
1) The color of lights
2) The position of lights
3) The flashing of lights
4) The shape, color or lettering of signs
A number plate, a letter plate, a marker light or any combination thereof may qualify them.
The signal aspects illustrated by the figures in Rules 280 to 296 inclusive are typical and must
not be used other than the names and indications prescribed by rules.
Aspects not in conformity with the typical aspects must not be used unless described in the
special instructions of the timetable, general notice or Form L.
Except as noted in the special instructions of the timetable, position light and color light signals
whose most restrictive aspect is more favorable than Stop are numbered either in the signal mast
or in a location adjacent thereto, as viewed from an approaching train, unless otherwise provided.
The following symbol around any portion of the signal indicates that portion of the signal is
flashing.
280
NAME: Clear-Block
INDICATION:
Proceed; Manual
block clear
Fig. A Fig. B Fig. C
280A Temporary Manual Block Signal
NAME: Clear-Block Name: Stop-Signal
INDICATION: Indication: Stop
Proceed; Manual
block clear
Fig A Fig B
NOTE: This signal will only be placed in service by Form L or General Notice and is not
connected with distant signals. Trains will approach this signal prepared to stop
281
NAME: Clear
INDICATION:
Proceed
Fig A Fig B Fig C
Fig D Fig E
281A
NAME: Absolute
Clear
INDICATION:
Proceed; track clear
to next interlocking
signal. Approach next
interlocking signal
prepared to stop
Fig A Fig B
Fig C Fig D
282
NAME: Approach
medium
INDICATION:
Proceed approaching
next signal at
medium speed
Fig A Fig B
Fig C Fig D
283
NAME: Medium
Clear
INDICATION:
Proceed; Medium
speed within
interlocking limits
Fig A Fig B
Fig C Fig D
283A
NAME: Absolute
medium clear
INDICATION:
Proceed; medium
speed within
interlocking limits.
Track clear to next
interlocking signal.
Approach next Fig A Fig B
interlocking signal
prepared to stop
Fig C Fig D
284
NAME: Approach
Slow
INDICATION:
Proceed approaching
next signal at slow
speed. Train
exceeding medium
speed must at once
reduce to that speed Fig A Fig B
Fig C Fig D
285
NAME: Approach
INDICATION:
Proceed approaching
next signal prepared
to stop. Train
exceeding medium
speed must at once
reduce to that speed.
Fig A Fig B Fig C
Fig C Fig D
285A
NAME: Caution
INDICATION: Train exceeding medium
speed must at once reduce to that speed.
Where a switch is connected with the signal,
approach that switch prepared to stop.
Approach next signal prepared to stop
287
NAME: Slow clear
INDICATION:
proceed; slow speed
within interlocking
limits
Fig A Fig B Fig C
287A
NAME: Absolute
Slow clear
INDICATION:
proceed; slow speed
within interlocking
limits. Track clear to
next interlocking
signal. Approach next
interlocking signal Fig B Fig C
Fig A
prepared to stop.
288
NAME: Slow
Approach
INDICATION:
Proceed approaching
next signal prepared
to stop. Slow speed
within interlocking
limits.
Fig A Fig B Fig C
Fig C Fig D
288A
NAME: Flashing
Slow Approach
INDICATION: Train
will proceed in
accordance with
signal indication
within interlocking
limits and after
clearing the
interlocking, proceed Fig A
Fig B
under absolute clear
indication to the next
interlocking
290
NAME: Restricting
INDICATION:
Proceed at restricted
speed.
Fig C
Fig A Fig B
Fig E
Fig C Fig D
291
NAME: Stop and
Proceed
INDICATION: Stop,
then proceed at
restricted Speed
Fig A Fig B Fig C
Fig C Fig D
NOTE: Freight trains of 90 or more cars or having tonnage of 80 per cent or more of the
prescribed engine rating may proceed at restricted speed without stopping at signals displaying
a yellow disc on which is shown the letter G in black. The engineer must be notified as to
tonnage and number of cars in train before leaving terminals and when consist is changed
enroute
292
NAME: Stop-signal
INDICATION: Stop
Fig C
Fig A Fig B
Fig E
Fig C Fig D
293
NAME: Block-Limit
INDICATION: Limit of the Block
NOTE: Yellow light to be placed next to track governed.
293A
NAME: Approach block limit
INDICATION: Proceed approaching next
block-limit signal prepared to stop. Train
exceeding Medium speed must at once
reduce to that speed
NOTE: Will not apply to trains authorized by clearance card Form K to pass the Block-limit
station as though Clear-block signal were displayed
294 Note: Train order signal may be
Name: Train-order mounted on either side
INDICATION: Orders.
Fig. B
Fig. A
NOTE: To apply to trains governed by fixed signal with
which connected.
Fig. C
NOTE: By day the yellow lamp is not displayed. When
displayed in the direction of an approaching train or trains,
must not be passed by any train on any track except as
provided in Rule 221.
295 Distant Switch Indicator (DSI)
NAME: Caution Indicator
INDICATION: Facing point switch(es) open.
Trains exceeding Slow speed must at once
reduce to that speed approaching switch or
switches prepared to stop.
NAME: Clear Indicator.
INDICATION: Facing point switch(es)
closed.
NOTE: Numeral on signal mast indicates the number of facing point switches connected to the
signal.
295A
NAME: Yard Switch Indicator
INDICATION:
White: Switch normal, proceed at restricted
speed
Yellow: Switch reverse, proceed at restricted
speed
Red: Switch not normal or reverse, route must
be verified. The conductor or engineer must
examine the switch points to verify that the
points fit the rail properly before movement
may be made over switch at restricted speed.
295B Main Track Switch Target
Switch lined for diverging route Switch lined normal for main track
296A
NAME: Stop board,
INDICATION: Stop, then be governed by
timetable special instructions.
296B
NAME: End of Block
INDICATION: Train must operate in
accordance with Rule 153.
296C
NAME: Yard limit board.
INDICATION: Main Track Yard limits.
296D
NAME: Begin ASC.
INDICATION: Automatic
speed control begins.
296E
NAME: ASC Cut out.
INDICATION: Entering cut
out loop.
296F
NAME: Standard whistle
post.
INDICATION: Approaching
crossings at grade for which
Rule 14L must be sounded.
NOTE: Whistle Post will be to the right of and adjacent to the track to which it refers.
296G
NAME: Roadway Workers portable whistle
post.
INDICATION: When roadway work is being
performed in multiple track portions of the
railroad, a white banner below the "W" on the
yellow background shall be used to indicate
the track occupied by the roadway workers
for which Rule 14L must be sounded as a
warning.
NOTE: When used, the portable whistle post will be placed to the right of the track.
296G-1
NAME: Quiet Zone Indicator.
INDICATION: Approaching
crossing at grade for which
Rule 14L will not be sounded
except as specified by Special
Instruction.
NOTE: Will be adjacent to the track to which it governs.
296H
NAME: Spring switch marker.
INDICATION: Spring switch.
NOTE: Adjacent to spring switch to which it refers.
296I
NAME: Approach / Distant
Signal Marker.
INDICATION: Visual
reminder to Engineers of trains
that Rules 28B and 33B apply
between the distant signal and
the home signal.
NOTE: The disc will be mounted on the mast of a distant signal in Automatic Block Signal
System territory where Automatic Speed Control Rules are not in effect {or} on the mast of a
distant signal in Manual Block Signal System territory.
296J
NAME: Delay in block sign.
INDICATION: Visual reminder
to Engineers of trains that Rules
28B and 33B apply when a
station stop is made at this
station.
NOTE: This sign will be displayed at or near the departure end of passenger stations in
Automatic Block Signal System territory where Automatic Speed Control Rules are not in
effect {or} in Manual Block Signal System territory when the passenger station is located
between a distant signal and the next home signal.
SPEED SIGNS – RULE 38
NAME: Permanent speed
restriction sign.
INDICATION: Reduce speed
as prescribed by timetable.
NOTE: Numerals indicate maximum authorized track speed as specified in Special Instruction
1038-B.
TEMPORARY SPEED SIGNS – RULE 38a
Advance Speed-limit sign
NOTE: Numerals indicate
speed permitted at Speed
limit sign ahead.
Speed-limit sign
Resume Speed-limit sign
Reflectorized Background
