I thought I was up to date on semaphore signals but maybe not. Why on all tsw routes with semaphore signals does a distant signal indicate the next signal is a stop signal yet the next signal is always clear?
The distant signal in UK semaphore signalling is only ever clear when all stop signals controlled by a signal box are also clear in the same direction of travel. If one of the stop signals is at danger, even if it is not the first one you would encounter, then the distant signal will remain at caution. Here is a helpful link explaining basic principles of UK absolute block signalling: https://signalbox.org/block-system/the-basic-principles/
Except on Rivet routes where I have had the distant "off" but the associated section (starter) signal "on"!
The only time i remember seeing a distant signal off, on any tsw route is when a home and distant are combined. I suppose it takes route knowledge to no weather you are stopping at the next signal or not. I think ntp is the worst as you have absolutely no chance of braking in time between signals, hauling freight anyway.
The NTP signals are unfortunately broken. They do not talk to the colour light signals so you will pass a distant showing ‘clear’ then run straight into a red colour light. Spirit of steam works well however. If you get a distant signal then you know it’s going to be somewhere around the next signal box. Usually there’s two or three signals you will go past that could potentially be at danger.
I drove 1000s of miles on ntp noHud. The only signal caught me really was the one after marden direction leeds. (Distant after the tunnel showed clear) My permanent solution was to hold 40mph after marsden, going into initial brake application for the right curve. So when seeing it was clear at around 35mph i just released brakes and powered again. If its red there is plenty of time to stop with 35mph and already initial application. Second is the one after raventhorpe at dewesbury, distant always shows a red ahead. But you can see it through the bushes if its really red or green, also there plenty of time to stop. I keep the 45mph after ravensthorpe until im sure the section is clear. Lol i know the entire route, dont even need speed charts anymore. I spaded before huddersfield once on a 101 service between hudd. F. and leeds. Many of the leeds manchester runs had a stop at huddersfield on a red. So i asumed its the signal at the station, but in fact it was the one before because i had to cross the tracks. That green light routine is the worst enemy .
Yeah I need to learn the route. On a clear day it's not too bad but on a bad day signal visibility is next to none. Sometimes I forget the brake timings over do it and grind to a halt. Just have to keep singing to my self little by little, bit by bit.
That’s the key, both the driver and fireman would know the route and it’s signals off by heart and would both be looking out for them. Don’t be afraid to slow down, bad signal sighting conditions slow trains and delay them in real life. The safety has to come first.
I don't mind crawling along, sometimes I check the map to see if I'm holding any services up. Not that it matters all that much. I think most of the freight services don't run to a tight schedule like passenger services do. When I get time I will sit in as the second man and learn the route a bit.
Basically, distant at clear = all signals to next distant are clear. Distant at caution = one or more of the stop signals between you and the next distant is at stop. Knowing the route doesn't come into it too much since you don't know which of the upcoming stop signals is at stop, even if you know where they are.
Knowing the route is everything if you want to keep to time. If you know where the last stop signal in a section is then you can accelerate immediately upon seeing its clear instead of waiting for the next distant signal.
Thank you for posting a link to that great site. It has the best explanation of UK semaphore signals I have ever come across.
