How to Read Canadian National US Operating Rules Railroad Signals 101

[@TrainmanSky]

Great vid, and very interesting! I did already know all of the indications, but clicking on this video out of curiosity, I did not know that a restricting signal in the US on CN could be displayed in 2 ways. CN is a very cool railway lol!

[@NormProbably]

Agreed, @trainmansky3997! It's pretty rad that it conveys routing even if the rulebook indication is the same.

[@jovetj]

@@NormProbably Just don't always rely on that. It's gotten a lot simpler to do that in later years with microprocessor-controlled interlockings, but before that it would have required much extra expense and that often wasn't paid for. So it's not necessarily a universal practice, even on the same railroad.

[@poowg2657]

Absolutely first rate signal tute. Back in the 70s I had to learn all of the aspects at IRM but they contained signals from six different roads. Things have changed some regarding signalling. Wish more people would explain these things. Enjoyed it greatly, thanks much!

[@NormProbably]

Learning that many systems sounds like a challenge, Poowg! Bet the IRM was a load of fun then, too. Thanks!

[@jeffmachul9562]

Thank you

[@NE-Explorer]

UP sub block signal will differentiate stop from restricting by a single flashing red. Some interlocking signals are single head.

[@cprtrain]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@jovetj]

It took me a long while, but I finally have rules sheets for Canadian railroads in the US's practices on my website.

[@NormProbably]

Whoa; it's @jovetj! Thanks for dropping in and thanks SO much for all the work you do on your end! It's greatly appreciated by many railfans. I'll have to drop in and take a look.

[@KPrime31]

Nicely done, thank you for sharing!

[@NormProbably]

Thanks a bunch, @kprime31!

[@jovetj]

Nice video! Well done!

[@SW99836]

0:56 someone was impatient there 😅

[@heartsfordays6336]

yep

[@Railfan_2010]

Very informational.

[@NormProbably]

Thanks for the feedback, @railfan_2010!

[@cnrailproductions8957]

what are the rules for CN conductors to call out signals cause i only hear them at certain signals

[@NormProbably]

I'm not entirely certain, @cnrailproductions8957. The only time I've heard signal calls are from a train with a signal less favorable than clear when approaching a yard or MoW crew actively working.

[@screwdriver5181]

Passing a red seems very foreign to a European particularly a Brit as we only ever go past a Red if a calling on aspect is shown such as 2 small whites. Often found in terminal platforms which are partially occupied.

[@NormProbably]

Hey there, @screwdriver5181! I could imagine it may be strange. I'll take a look into the calling on aspects you mention!

[@SignalMan9292]

For some reason every time I cross the CN there is a green on the freeport

[@wainber1]

The flashing yellow appears to be the same as in the UK proper a double-yellow on a heavy-rail line is: the next red is 2 signals ahead.

[@NormProbably]

Neat! Thanks for thebinfo, @wainber1!

[@jovetj]

That is correct. At least here... flashing yellow can be used differently on other US railroads or locales.

[@davidschick6951]

6:52 very cool. What I don't understand though is this. I know that each railroad has their own signals, and that different areas of each railroad can have different signal types (Technically I used to work for CN.) What I don't get is why green over red is considered high green but green over green is not.

[@25mfd]

has there ever been a green over green... i've never seen that before

[@jovetj]

Green over Green _has_ been used to convey _Clear._ It was more common 100 years ago and has fallen out of favor, likely because of the extra expense in its implementation and its redundancy to G/R. Parts of Australia may still use G/G to indicate high _Clear._

[@25mfd]

@@jovetj yea i worked for the chicago and northwestern/U.P. and in both timetables there's no G/G

[@jovetj]

@@25mfd I can attest to that, too. But it's still in the NORAC rules to this very day. I would be surprised if there are any locations in the field using it, but who knows?

[@theknickerbocker5808]

​@jovetj get them every day on the dwarf signals in and around the Albany Rennslaer station on Amtrak's Empire Service Corridor. We like to call them super clears.

[@NE-Explorer]

@normprobably would like to know where flashing green is defined...in the east it means follow your cab signals

[@NormProbably]

Thanks for following up, @ne-explorer. The below link is the best I could find, as you're likely aware, coming across wholesale up-to-date official documentation in the wild is challenging. signalquiz.com/files/signals/CN-USOR-No-14-Route-Signals-2023.pdf

[@NE-Explorer]

@@NormProbably thanks! for some reason I collect signal aspects and indications like base ball cards

[@southerncoloradorailfannin4027]

So is nobody going to talk about that blue car that just blew pass the gates at 0:53 ?

[@tylerewert947]

0:54 Jackas #1

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

0:55 damn!

[@414RadioTech]

What if you do something like this for the CN Waukesha sub that would be awesome

[@NormProbably]

That sounds like a lot of fun! I might have to do that. It'd be fun hunting diverging route aspects.