Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad
Historical Society

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Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad,
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Fixed Signal Rules - 1976
Signal Terms and Definitions
OPERATING RULES

The information contained on this page was compiled from the
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Transportation Department
Operating, Air Brake and Safety Rules
Effective July 1, 1975

"The rules herein set forth govern the railroads operated by
The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and must be observed
by all employees whose duties are in any way affected thereby.
They supersede all previous rules and instructions inconsistent therewith."

FIXED SIGNALS
Rule 275
Signal indications shall be shown by the position of semaphore blades, color of lights, position of lights, flashing of lights or any combination thereof, except the diagonal alignment of lights of color light signals with respect to the signal mast does not modify the signal indication. They may be qualified by marker plate, number plate, letter plate, marker light, shape of semaphore blade, or any combination thereof.
Rule 275(A)
The indications illustrated by the figures in Rules 280 to 297 inclusive are typical and must not be used with other than the name and indicatiosn prescribed by the rules. Indications not in conformity must not be used unless shown in the timetable together with special instructions as to location and an explanation of their use.
Rule 275(C)

When practicable Interlocking and Automatic Block signals will be located either directly over or to the right of and adjacent to the track governed.

Where two signals are located on a bracket post to display indications for two tracks, the right hand signal governs the track to the right and the left hand signal governs the track to the left.

Where a track intervenes between the signal and the track governed, a dummy mast, marked by a blue light or reflector, will be placed on the right of the signal.
Rule 276

When block or interlocking signals require movement at Restricted Speed, this speed must not be increased until entire train passes a signal conveying an indication more favorable than Restricted Speed.
Rule 280
  NAME: Clear Block.

INDICATION—Proceed; for passenger trains,manual block clear; for trains other than passenger trains, manual block clear outside yard limits.
Rule 281
  NAME: Clear.
INDICATION—Proceed.
SPEED: Normal Speed (maximum authorized speed).
Rule 281(A)
  NAME: Advance Approach Medium.
INDICATION—Proceed approaching second signal at Medium Speed.
SPEED: Medium Speed (not exceeding 30 miles per hour).
Rule 281(B)
  NAME: Approach Limited.
INDICATION—Proceed approaching next signal at Limited Speed.
SPEED: Limited Speed (not exceeding 45 miles per hour).
Rule 281(C)
  NAME: Limited Clear.
INDICATION—Proceed; Limited Speed within interlocking limits.
SPEED: Limited Speed (not exceeding 45 miles per hour).
Rule 281(D)
  NAME: Limited Approach..
INDICATION—Proceed at Limited Speed preparing to stop at next signal.
SPEED: Limited Speed (not exceeding 45 miles per hour)
Rule 282
  NAME: Approach Medium.
INDICATION—Proceed approaching next signal at Medium Speed.
SPEED: Medium Speed (not exceeding 30 miles per hour).
Rule 282(A)
  NAME: Advance Approach.
INDICATION—Proceed preparing to stop at second signal.
SPEED: Train exceeding Limited Speed must at once reduce to that speed.
Rule 283
  NAME: Medium Clear.
INDICATION—Proceed.
SPEED: Medium Speed within interlocking limits.
Rule 283(A)
  NAME: Medium Advance Approach.
INDICATION—Proceed preparing to stop at second signal.
SPEED: Medium Speed within interlocking limits.
Rule 283(A)
  NAME: Medium Approach Slow.
INDICATION—Proceed approaching next signal at Slow Speed.
SPEED: Medium Speed.
Rule 284
  NAME: Approach Slow.
INDICATION—Proceed approaching next signal at Slow Speed.
SPEED: Train exceeding Medium Speed must at once reduce to that speed.
Rule 285
  NAME: Approach.
INDICATION—Proceed prepared to stop at next signal.
SPEED: Train exceeding Medium Speed must at once reduce to that speed.
Rule 286
  NAME: Medium Approach.
INDICATION—Proceed preparing to stop at next signal.
SPEED: Medium Speed.
Rule 287
  NAME: Slow-clear.
INDICATION—Proceed; Slow Speed within interlocking limits.
SPEED: Slow Speed (not exceeding 15 miles per hour).
Rule 288
  NAME: Slow Approach.
INDICATION—Proceed preparing to stop at next signal.
SPEED: Slow Speed within interlocking limits.
Rule 289
  NAME: Permissive Block.

INDICATION—Block Occupied; for passenger trains, stop; for trains other than passenger trains, proceed prepared to stop short of a train or obstruction, but not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
Rule 290
  NAME: Restricting.

INDICATION—Proceed at Restricted Speed.

SPEED: Restricted Speed - proceed prepared to stop short of train, obstruction or switch point not properly lined; looking out for broken rail and not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
Rule 291
  NAME: Stop and Proceed.

INDICATION—Stop; then proceed at Restricted Speed.

SPEED: Restricted Speed - proceed prepared to stop short of train, obstruction or switch point not properly lined; looking out for broken rail and not exceeding 15 miles per hour.
Rule 292
  NAME: Stop Signal.
INDICATION—Stop.
SPEED:
Rule 294
DISPLAYED FOR TEMPORARY SPEED RESTRICTIONS
  NAME: Approach Speed Limit Sign.

LOCATION—To the right of and adjacent to the track to which it refers, at braking distance from the portion of the track where speed is restricted.

SPEED: Approach Speed Limit sign at speed not exceeding speed on Approach Speed Limit sign.

NOTES—Flags of prescribed color may be substituted for signs when necessary.

When yellow flags are substituted, or the Approach Speed Limit sign does not designate the speed limit, speed must be reduced to 10 miles per hour.

Background of Temporary Speed signs are reflective.

Approach Speed Limit, Speed Limit and Resume Speed Limit signs will be placed with and against current of traffic.
Rule 294(A)
DISPLAYED FOR TEMPORARY SPEED RESTRICTIONS
  NAME: Speed Limit Sign.

LOCATION—At the point to protected, to the right of and adjacent to the track to which it refers.

SPEED: Speed between Speed Limit sign and Resume Speed sign must not exceed speed on Approach Speed Limit sign.
Rule 294(B)
DISPLAYED FOR TEMPORARY SPEED RESTRICTIONS
  NAME: Resume Speed Sign.

LOCATION—To the right of and adjacent to the track to which it refers, and 50 feet in advance of the point protected.

SPEED: Resume speed after rear of train has passed this sign.
Rule 294(C)
DISPLAYED FOR TEMPORARY SPEED RESTRICTIONS
  NAME: Approach Speed Limit Sign.

LOCATION—To the right of and adjacent to the track to which it refers, at braking distance from the portion of the track where speed is restricted.

SPEED: In TCS territory, denotes speed restriction in effect on other track or tracks. In event train is crossed over to track on which speed restriction applies, approach Speed Limit sign on such track not exceeding speed shown on Approach Speed Limit sign.
Rule 295
  NAME: Clear distant switch signal.
INDICATION—Switch closed, proceed.
Rule 295(A)
  NAME: Caution distant switch signal.

INDICATION—Switch open. Approach all switches connected with the signal prepared to stop short of the switches.
Rule 296
  NAME: Clear slide detector signal.
INDICATION—Slide detector normal, proceed.
Rule 296(A)
  NAME: Caution slide detector signal.

INDICATION—Slide detector actuated. Approach slide detector prepared to stop short of obstruction.
Rule 297
  NAME: Take (or leave) sidingl.

INDICATION—Be governed by signal indication and take (or leave) siding at next switch.

NOTE—Light unit and letter "S" are attached to mast of fixed signal.