Signals again.

For discussions on stations, signals, and infrastructure in Southern Africa. Any photos should be posted in the "South Africa - Photo Gallery" Forum below.
Post Reply
Hermann Kuhne
Posts: 29
Joined: 03 Feb 2011, 20:38

Signals again.

Post by Hermann Kuhne »

Almost finished with the very first true South African route for Railworks 2013 Train Simualator. Busy doing the legal stuff to eventually sell it via Steam and Railworks. Thanks to one and all for help and info on signals etc. for the Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith line.
Just one last bit of help needed. On this specific route (and I suppose on others as well), they mention "repeater signals". To my understanding this is a signal placed in front of an obscured signal(main signal), obscured by either a turn, or buildings or whatever which hide it in view of the driver. This repeater signal duplicates the next signal. Eg. when the main signal is red, the repeater signal is red and so on.
Exactly how does it function and what does it look like? Is it an ordinary red, green, yellow signal or only two lights. Info appreciated.
User avatar
Steve Appleton
Site Admin
Posts: 3605
Joined: 23 Jan 2007, 14:14
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Signals again.

Post by Steve Appleton »

Hermann, you are essentially correct.

The repeater signal's purpose is to repeat in advance a "proceed" aspect being shown on an obscured or partially obscured signal ahead (obscured due to a curve, bridge, building or whatever). To identify it, the post contains a small lens with the letter "X" (white X on black), usually illuminated, located below the signal head. Being a repeater, any "proceed" aspect displayed upon it is not an authority to proceed beyond the signal ahead that it is reapeating unless that signal too shows a proceed aspect. Also, if the repeater signal is blank, it must be assumed that the signal ahead may be displaying a "danger" (stop) aspect and the driver must therefore be prepared to stop at that signal.

Good luck with you project. Please let us all know by posting on this forum http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... .php?f=219 when it is available. I think it will be on the "must have" list for local railway simulator fans. Any chance of a version for the "Trainz" simulator?
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
User avatar
Steve Appleton
Site Admin
Posts: 3605
Joined: 23 Jan 2007, 14:14
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Signals again.

Post by Steve Appleton »

Hermann, another type of signal that may be found on that line is a "warning signal". This signal may be found ahead of some stop signals. The pupose is to give an advance warning of the approach to a stop signal and also give an indication of the aspect that the stop signal is displaying. Because the warning signal is not a "stop" signal it has no "danger" (red) aspect. It can only display a "clear" (green) aspect if the stop signal ahead is also displaying a clear aspect (green). Else it will display a "caution" (yellow) aspect if the stop signal ahead is at danger. The driver is thus warned to slow up and be prepared to stop at the signal ahead if it is seen to be at danger when he approaches.

Such a signal is identified by a rectangular board (about 300 x 200 mm) mounted on the post just below the signal identifier code letters. This board consists of a white background that has a single black diagonal stripe (about 50 mm thick) running across it from corner to corner.
"To train or not to train, that is the question"
Post Reply

Return to “South Africa - Stations, Signals and Infrastructure”