Talk:Australian railway signalling

No fishtail UQ
There have never been fishtail UQ distant signals. (pointing inwards).

There have been pointed automatic signals between Hexham and Metford (pointing outwards). These signals showed stop, caution and clear.

Tabletop 02:03, 5 February 2006 (UTC) I know that there have not been fishtail UQ signals. I don't know why I wrote it and I couldn't believe I wrote it, but whenI saw it I corrected it. I suppose we can all make mistakes.

Queensland Signalling
QLD signalling (aka QR) is not 100% as per UK practice. There are some notable differences. One of them is the Flashing Yellow. In UK it's to advise the driver that the next signal is set for the junction. In QR, it is used as a Warner and advises the driver that the route is clear to the next signal with little or no overlap. The Double Flashing Yellow is not used in QR. However in QR, a Dynamic Speed Indicator (DSI) has been created, which is placed on the signal behind the junction signal, to advise the driver what speed to do through the junction. Signal engineer (talk) 03:45, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Split into separate articles for each State?
Each state used signalling that, whilst originally based on British practices, diverged quite considerably from it and each other, especially as the systems evolved. I propose that we create separate articles for NSW and Victoria (to begin with) as these states have the most published sources on their history, and populate the articles with not just a history of the development of the systems, but diagrams of the signals of similar quality to those on the Swedish railway signalling article. I can draw the images necessary for this and have a number of books on the subject(s) that would be excellent sources. What to other people think of this proposal? GorfGnome (talk) 02:31, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Terminology
As it should be for 'Rollingstock' (see this-named subject in Wikipedia), 'Signalbox' should be one word. Together, the two words 'signal box' convey potentially any number of alternative things. The reason the two words are so widely used instead of the one is the same as for the mistaken use of 'rolling stock'... the matter is little considered and even less understood.Throttleer (talk) 04:54, 22 July 2013 (UTC)

Splitting Queensland into new section
The Queensland section was poorly written and contained repeated phrasing. Also contained several incorrect assumptions and had invalid information. The Queensland section will be re-written into a new section with the correct information. — Preceding unsigned comment added by DrFreeman2012 (talk • contribs) 12:09, 12 October 2014 (UTC)

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NSW signals
Ok so the Medium signals for Sydney’s signalling system were changed so that they no longer reference “medium turnout” as a possible following signal. I am sure that a Medium Turnout signal is always preceded by a Medium signal, so unless anyone has reason otherwise I will be changing the page to add it back GuideRail (talk) 09:46, 2 February 2020 (UTC)

NSW signal Names
There are two names that the Green / Yellow signal in NSW has been given in this article, Medium, and Preliminary Caution. Which name shall we choose?TheTrainNoch (talk) 14:58, 14 May 2020 (UTC)


 * In order to answer your question: With the Green / Yellow NSW signal, I think the more accurate name would be "Preliminary Caution", not "Medium". Because the name "Preliminary Caution" is more precise than "Medium", it means that the next signal is showing a "Caution" aspect (or Green / Red) as both the "Preliminary Caution", and "Caution" signals in NSW actually have the word "Caution" in their aspect names! So please DO NOT use the word "Medium" for the Green / Yellow signal, only just "Preliminary Caution"! And please do not make any further edits to the signal aspect name. I've already changed the name back to "Preliminary Caution" and it MUST stay that way! Please do NOT revert the name back to "Medium", only use "Preliminary Caution"! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.143.254.79 (talk)


 * See the below discussion. Techie3 (talk) 06:21, 6 July 2020 (UTC)

NSW Signalling indications
I have modified the NSW Signalling indications in the "Contradictory Meanings" section to clarify some indications used better.

I have extensive experience with signalling systems in the Sydney metropolitan network (Sydney Trains) which is the basis for my contribution. If you feel I need to add citations, please message me or annotate it as such in the article body to remind me to add a citation.

In NSW, there is no such indication as a Preliminary Caution: it is called a Medium.

I do agree with an earlier topic suggesting the states/territories be split into the separate articles. Furthermore, there should also be a comparison page for readers who are interested in the differences and merits of the signalling systems in use across Australia.

Referring to GuideRail's comment, a Medium indication can be seen before a Medium Turnout indication, but it is an older practice. Today, Turnout Repeaters are fitted above the signal heads and display a white band of light pointing in the direction of the turnout ahead to give the driver advance warning. I believe Turnout Repeaters were fitted after a derailment, where a driver was signalled through a siding for a rail clean one morning, but was used to being issued the usual mainline indication on their regular runs through the section. As such, the train was going too fast for the sudden turnout indication. I was not around then, so I cannot absolutely confirm, but that's what I've been told by those who taught me - the usual rail folklore. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bryce bubbles (talk • contribs) 08:36, 25 May 2020 (UTC)

NSW Green over Yellow and Green Over Flashing Yellow Names
I don't wish to inflame the edit war about the Green over Yellow and Green Over Flashing Yellow signals that is happening, so we should decide this once and for all.

I have removed the edit warning on the article but nothing else. I will not edit that section, until we have a consensus on the names. If you see me do so, you can revert me. (Cite this page as a warning.)

I think we should keep the name Medium for the Green over Yellow signal. First, that is the name of the Green over Yellow signal in the rule books rule books. Secondly, the Green over Yellow signal can appear in front of a turnout signal, and the name Preliminary Caution implies that the signal only appears in front of caution signals. Techie3 (talk) 06:14, 6 July 2020 (UTC)

Pings:

Techie3 (talk) 00:49, 7 July 2020 (UTC)

Techie3 (talk) 00:49, 7 July 2020 (UTC)


 * I still don’t get why Preliminary Caution isn’t used for the Green over Yellow signal aspect in NSW... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.143.254.79 (talk) 19:27, 6 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Hmmm, the name Preliminary Caution is good enough for most purposes. However it is not the official name. How about this. I propose that we put the unoffical name in brackets.
 * Like this:
 * Medium (Preliminary Caution). Techie3 (talk) 06:33, 9 July 2020 (UTC)


 * Umm... Isn't it more accurate to have "Preliminary Caution" instead of "Medium" for the green/yellow signal aspect name, mate??? And could you please tell me why it is called "Medium" but not "Preliminary Caution"?? Please explain why, thank you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.143.254.79 (talk) 17:50, 10 July 2020 (UTC)
 * The green/yellow(Medium) can also be found in front of yellow/yellow(Medium Turnout) and yellow/red(Caution Turnout) signals. These turnout indications indicates there is a turnout ahead, you should slow down for the turnout. The name "Preliminary Caution" implies that this signal is only found in front of Caution signals, which is not the case. They can also appear in front of Medium(Preliminary Caution) Turnout.Techie3 (talk) 01:45, 11 July 2020 (UTC)
 * Read here for more details on Sydney Train Signaling practices.Techie3 (talk) 01:52, 11 July 2020 (UTC)

Now just to say, I actually do not live in NSW, so I don't understand a lot about the green/yellow signal aspects for the names... So can you maybe please be slightly more specific with what you're actually trying to tell me? I'd like more specific information. :-) much appreciated. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:8000:1589:4600:C9B4:8B28:2954:7D3F (talk) 17:03, 11 July 2020 (UTC)
 * That's okay, I live in Victoria. Simply put, the green/yellow aspect can be found, in front of signals that are not Caution signals. Therefore, the name Preliminary Caution, which implies that the next signal is always a Caution, is not a general enough name to be preferred over the name Medium.Techie3 (talk) 08:11, 13 July 2020 (UTC)

I actually also live in the state of Victoria, Australia as well! However, I actually know a lot more about Victorian speed signalling, and a lot less about NSW double colour light signalling. I like the Victorian speed signalling a lot better than the signals in NSW, because they’re actually so much more easier to understand. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:8000:1589:4600:5903:54F3:F442:438 (talk) 08:37, 13 July 2020 (UTC)

Green/Yellow signal in Victoria. Proceed, or Increase to Normal Speed
Can anyone source the Green/Yellow signal being the Increase to Normal Speed signal? ARTC and Vicsig says otherwise.

Well, I’ve actually got a very good answer for this: With the Green/Yellow signal aspect in Victoria, Australia, it really should have the name “Increase to Normal Speed”. So let me explain:

You know that the Yellow/Green aspect is called “Reduce to Medium Speed”, right? So when you pass through a “Reduce to Medium Speed” (Yellow/Green) aspect, you may proceed through the signal at normal speed, but you must reduce to medium speed before the next signal as it will be showing a Medium Speed indication. But if the Yellow and the Green lights are on opposite sides (From Yellow/Green to Green/Yellow) in the aspect of the signal, then that would (or should) be called “Increase to Normal Speed”. But unlike the Yellow/Green “Reduce to Medium Speed” aspect, the Green/Yellow “Increase to Normal Speed” aspect means that you may pass through the signal at Medium Speed, but you need to increase to Normal Speed before the next signal as it will be showing a Normal Speed indication.

Yellow/Green = REDUCE TO MEDIUM SPEED: Proceed through the signal at Normal Speed, but you must reduce to Medium Speed before the next signal as it will be displaying a Medium Speed aspect

Green/Yellow = INCREASE TO NORMAL SPEED: Proceed through the signal at Medium Speed, but you must increase to Normal Speed before the next signal as it will be displaying a Normal Speed aspect — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:8000:1589:4600:69D8:788:9F9D:B58E (talk) 05:12, 3 August 2020 (UTC)

Unfortunately, INCREASE TO NORMAL SPEED does not make sense, as Medium Speed is slower than Normal Speed. Why do you need a signal warning you of a increase in speed? Techie3 (talk) 11:42, 5 August 2020 (UTC)


 * Now I’ve just removed your question about the Green/Yellow “INCREASE TO NORMAL SPEED” name.I don’t like the question you asked me. I already have the answer above this sentence, mate. So please read it again so you can actually understand. — Preceding unsigned comment added by  2001:8000:1589:4600:6039:61C9:CF4B:3ECF (talk) 12:44, 5 August 2020 (UTC)


 * Don't remove other people's comments. It annoys people and makes them less likely to cooperate. Techie3 (talk) 14:31, 7 August 2020 (UTC)
 * Apart from the weak consistency argument, I don't see any attempt to answer my question. Why do you need a signal warning you of a speed increase? Can you explain why this new signal is not in the ARTC manual or VICSIG? Techie3 (talk) 14:43, 7 August 2020 (UTC)

Now... I’ve already said before, you know how the Yellow/Green is the “Reduce to Medium Speed” aspect, right? And it means you may proceed through the signal at Normal Speed, but you need to Reduce to Medium Speed before the next signal. But if the colours are on opposite positions, and the green light is on top and the yellow light is below (Green/Yellow instead of Yellow/Green) then the signal aspect would be also be the opposite. instead of Reducing to medium speed, you are increasing to normal speed. So your answer would be Green/Yellow = INCREASE TO NORMAL SPEED: Proceed through the signal at Medium Speed, but you must Increase to Normal Speed before the next signal. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:8000:1589:4600:8175:7CD6:9C71:A2C7 (talk) 14:09, 10 August 2020 (UTC)

Now mate, I’ve already given my straight forward answers to your questions. I’m still not sure why you keep not understanding at all the answers I’ve given you earlier? So why do you keep asking me to answer you again, and again, and again if I have given you what you need to know already? You shouldn’t be brain dead and too confused mate. You should have your answers and just leave Wikipedia and never come back, only I get to stay and you don’t. I suggest you leave right now, never come back again to ask me another question. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:8000:1589:4600:8175:7CD6:9C71:A2C7 (talk) 14:16, 10 August 2020 (UTC)

The question I got for you, can you find the Increase to Normal speed anywhere in the rule book? I bet you can't. BTW you can create a account on Wikipedia. Techie3 (talk) 02:28, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

That’s because I’ve made my own rule book about the “Increase to Normal Speed” aspect. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.143.254.79 (talk) 06:54, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

Causes of the divergence of Australian signalling practice
I've rewritten the introduction as it didn't represent the history of Australian signalling practice correctly. When signalling was introduced in the Australian colonies/states, they all followed British practice and the different railway systems were no more divergent than the UK railway companies. The divergence happened in the 20th Century when the systems introduced power signalling, with each state using international 'best' practice when they started to install this type of signalling extensively. Signalling now looks very divergent because mechanical signalling has vanished, and the power signalling has met up. MAndrewWaugh (talk) 23:40, 29 March 2023 (UTC)