This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/eastpenn to TrainWeb.US/eastpenn.

NORAC Signal Rules

Please Be Patient! This is a graphics-heavy page.

RULE 280a. NAME: CLEAR TO NEXT INTERLOCKING
INDICATION Trains without operative cab signals must proceed on fixed signal indication, not exceeding 79 MPH, and approach next interlocking signal prepared to stop.
RULE 280b. NAME: APPROACH NORMAL
INDICATION Trains without operative cab signals must proceed on fixed signal indication not exceeding 79 MPH.
RULE 281. NAME: CLEAR INDtCATION: Proceed not exceeding Normal Speed.
RULE 281b. NAME: APPROACH LIMITED
INDICATION Proceed approaching the next signal at Limited Speed.
RULE 281e. NAME: LIMITED CLEAR
INDICATION Proceed at Limited Speed until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS tenritory with fixed automatic block signals trains not equipped with operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Limited Speed.
RULE 282. NAME: APPROACH MEDIUM
INDICATION Proceed approaching next signal at Medium Speed.
RULE 282a. NAME: ADVANCE APPROACH
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop at the second signal Trains exceeding Limited Speed mustbegin reduction to Limited Speed as soon as engine passes the Advance Approach signal.
RULE 283. NAME: MEDIUM CLEAR
INDICATION Proceed at Medium Speed until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed automatic block signals, trains not equipped with operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Medium Speed.
RULE 283a. NAME: MEDIUM APPROACH MEDIUM
INDICATION Proceed at Medium Speed within interlocking limits approaching the next signal at Medium Speed.
RULE 284. NAME: APPROACH SLOW
INDICATION Proceed approaching the next signal at Slow Speed. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Slow signal.
RULE 285. NAME: APPROACH
INDICATION: Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Signal.
RULE 286. NAME: MEDIUM APPROACH
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the Medium Approach signal is clearly visible.
RULE 287. NAME: SLOW CLEAR
INDICATION Proceed at Slow Speed until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed automatic block signals, trains not equipped wth operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Medium Speed once they have left interlocking limits
RULE 288 NAME: SLOW APPROACH
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Slow Speed applies within interlocking limits or through turnouts, then Medium Speed applies.
RULE 290. NAME: RESTRICTING
INDICATION Proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has: 1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal. or 2. Entered non-signalled DCS territory. or 3. Passed a location where a more favorable cab signal was received.
RULE 291. NAME: STOP AND PROCEED
INDICATION Stop, then proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has: 1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal. or 2. Entered non-signaled DCS territory or 3. Passed a location where a more favorable cab signal was received. Where a letter G (grade marker) or a letter R (restricting marker) is displayed in addition to number plate as part of these aspects, freight trains may observe the signals as though Res tricting, Rule 290, were displayed.
RULE 292. NAME: STOP SIGNAL
INDICATION Stop
RULE 293 NAME: SWITCH CLOSED SIGNAL
INDICATION Proceed.
RULE 293a. NAME: SWITCH OPEN SIGNAL
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop short of open switches.
RULE 293b. NAME: APPROACH CLEAR
INDICATION Proceed NOTE: Does not convey block or track information.
RULE 293c. NAME: APPROACH RESTRICTING
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop at hand-operated switches and at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Restricting signal. NOTE: Does not convey block or track information.
RULE 294. NAME: CLEAR SLIDE DETECTOR SIGNAL
INDICATION Proceed; slide detector not actuated.
RULE 294a. NAME: SLIDE DETECTOR SIGNAL
INDICATION Approach actuated slide detector prepared to stop short of obstruction.
RULE 296 NAME: APPROACH PERMANENT SPEED LIMIT SIGN
INDICATION Proceed prepared to operate at posted speed through permanent speed restriction. NOTE: In electrified territory, this sign wil be mounted in the catenary system; in non-electrified territory, this sign will be mounted on an overhead bridge or on a pole approximately 12 feet above the top of the rail.
RULE 296a. NAME: APPROACH SPEED LIMIT SIGN
INDICATION Approach the Speed Limit Sign at a speed not exceeding the speed posted on the Approach Speed Limit Sign. Where a signal with two sets of numerals is posted, the higher speed applies to passenger trains, and the lower speed applies to freight trains.
RULE 296b. NAME: SPEED LIMIT SIGN
INDICATION Proceed at speed posted on the Approach Speed Limit Sign until the entire train has passed the Resume Speed Sign.
RULE 296c. NAME: RESUME SPEED SIGN
INDICATION Resume speed after the entire train has passed the Resume Speed Sign.
RULE 297 NAME: APPROACH SIGN
INDICATION Proceed prepared to stop at the Stop Sign. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes Approach Sign.
RULE 297a NAME: STOP SIGN
INDICATION Stop unless permission is received as prescribed by rule 135.
RULE 297b. NAME: RESTRICTED AREA SPEED LIMIT SIGN
INDICATION Proceed not exceeding 30 MPH until passing a Restricted Area Resume Speed Sign, unless otherwise instructed by the employee in charge.
RULE 297e. NAME: RESTRICTED AREA RESUME SPEED SIGN
INDICATION Resume speed after the entire train has passed the Restricted Area Resume Speed Sign. SPEEDS NORMAL SPEED: The maximum authorized speed. LIMITED SPEED: For passenger trains, not exceeding 45 MPH; for freight trains, not exceeding 40 MPH. MEDIUM SPEED: Not exceeding 30 MPH. SLOW SPEED: Not exceeding 15 MPH RESTRICTED SPEED: Prepared to stop within one half the range of vision- short of a train, obstruction, or switch improperly lined. Be on the lookout for broken rail. Speed must not exceed 20 MPH outside interlocking limits, or 15 MPH within interlocking limits. This speed applies to the entire movement.

---

This page was created and maintained by J. Alex Lang, © 1996-1997.
Last updated December 11, 1997