A poly-cap is a type of plastic cap often used in model-making kits, especially for assembling figurines or model...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
What is a poly-cap?Read more -
What is Graham Farish?Read moreGraham Farish is a name you’re likely to come across if you're interested in British model railways, especially in...
-
When did semaphore signals stop being used in the UK?Read moreSemaphore signals, those distinctive mechanical arms that once graced railway lines across the UK, were largely...
-
What is Kato track?Read moreKato track is a popular choice in the world of model railways, known for its quality, ease of use and versatility. If...
-
What is poly fibre?Read morePoly fibre is a synthetic material commonly used in scale modelling and model railway landscapes to create realistic...
How did train drivers read semaphore signals at night?
Semaphore signals were a common form of railway signalling before the advent of modern electronic signals. During the day, train drivers could easily see and interpret the position of the semaphore arms. However, reading semaphore signals at night presented a significant challenge.
To overcome this, a process called "lighting up" the signals was used. This involved the use of oil lamps or gas burners positioned behind the signal arms, some of which had coloured lenses. These lamps illuminated the signal arms, making them visible to train drivers during the night. The lamps were usually coloured to correspond with the different signal aspects, such as red for stop and green for clear.
To read the signals, train drivers would look for the position of the illuminated arms. For example, if the arm was horizontal, it indicated "danger" or "stop," while a raised arm at a 45-degree angle indicated "proceed with caution." By memorizing the different positions and colours of the semaphore arms, train drivers could safely navigate the railway network in the dark.
Posted in: Power and control
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Motorised Signal LMS Home Steel Arm Single Post
Price: £ 62.70Motorised Signal LMS Home Steel Arm Single PostSmooth operating servo...
Related posts
-
Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory... - Is it difficult to fit a DCC decoder in to a DCC ready engine?In theory, it should be easy as the whole idea of being DCC Ready is to simplify the process. The first time I did...
- What is 7/0.2 wire?7/02 wire is a wire made of 7 strands of 0.2mm wire. Stranded wire has the advantage of being flexible while solid...
- Is an N Gauge controller compatible with OO Gauge?Yes, an N Gauge controller is compatible with OO gauge trains. You may have to change the power clip to the track...
- Is stranded wire better than solid wire?In my experience, stranded wire is preferable over solid wire. Stranded wire is more flexible than solid core wire,...