[none]

[JG at graytrainpix <graytrainpix_@_hotmail.com>]

WDBurt wrote:
The previous contributions include mention of "double yellow."  On EL,  
double yellow was sometimes used where the next block ahead was a short block 
(I  am using plain English here, not C&S-speak) .... 
the engineer saw two Approach signals in a row.  Examples were the next to the last
block signal leaving the old main line both near Hornell and Cuba.  Approaching 
CB Junction  westbound, for instance, if signal 379-1 in East Cuba displayed Approach
it  probably meant that you were getting an Approach at the distant signal located at JC 
382.6 (and that you were not lined at CBJ).  But it might also mean  that the 
latter signal was displaying Stop and Proceed.  A green light at  379-1 
meant an Approach Medium on the distant signal.  Same story  going east west of 
Hornell.


INTERESTING.  My previous contribution mentioned "double approach" systems, 
with approach and then approach-medium aspects between red (either stop or S & Proceed)
and green (Clear).  I believe this is the proper "C&S-speak". YES, there were also
places on the Erie where "cheap-o" double-approaches were instituted, i.e. there
were two approaches (yellow or yellow over red), no approach-medium (the latter removes
the requirement to prepare to stop at next signal).  There was some of this  
arrangement on the NY Division, including at least one stretch on the NJ&NY.
I was told that during the 1950s, ICC inspectors required that the Erie institute or 
extend double-approach systems in certain spots as to maintain safety factors, given that
the signal system had been designed around steam locomotive performance, whereas diesel
power could accelerate trains more quickly. These changes were usually required in places
covered by one-arm automatics, and the Erie, being a bit "thrifty", usually decided not to add
a second arm to the advance signal (as to allow the less restrictive approach-medium), but
instead just re-wired the circuits so that there would be two identical yellow (approach) blocks
in a row behind an occupied circuit.

C&S history can be interesting. Wish I knew more about it, I'm just repeating some
things that I heard back in the EL days. 

A yellow at 379 with an approach medium at 382 presumably meant that the next signal,
the w/b home signal for CB Jct., was clear-medium (red over green over red).  Thanks to
the dispatcher and his trusty GRS code machine in Salamanca.

JIM GEROFSKY
   

 		 	   		  
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