Orsa ..... South Switch in Tales of the Jointed Track

Times have changed. I see they are placing in new signals so they can operate both ways, without track warrants, because if you are going against the current of traffic, you are now non-signaled, and it becomes non-block ABS. Track warrants, with limits until another train rolls up limits, so another can occupy. There is a rumor that a dedicated passenger only rail line, and a freight only line. We’ll see… Like a line from Steinbeck, “The plans of Mice and Men oft go astray”.

Notice the Circle with the “G”. That is a grade signal. Meaning, if RED, you can pass it, without stopping, and proceed at restricted speed. You better be sure that you are able to stop, should there be a train stopped ahead. There are two curves, one at 29.3 and at 30.1 which have a restricted sight distance, MP 30.1 is more pronounced. The number plate, shows that the signal is is also a STOP and PROCEED. Meaning if RED you stop and proceed, at restricted speed. Any ABS signal displaying a number plate on it, without the “G” badge, allows you to stop and proceed at restricted speed. The 1287 means: 1, Main One track
287 MP28.7.

On the siding you notice the two orange painted rectangles. That is a clearance point marker. That way if in the siding, you are not fouling, the mainline. At one time, there was a pot signal for Orsa in the siding and well as a spring switch. That was removed in the mid 80’s. So, how do you leave Orsa in the siding by rule? “IF, after getting authority, by track warrant, lining the switch and waiting 5 minutes and proceeding at restricted speed to the next signal. Also if immediately following a train within the block, you can line the switch and proceed, because the block it already showing RED for the mainline.

This was taken from the same High School parking lot. The signals with the canvas hoods are the newly placed signals. The “active” signal is the smaller one. It is a “TRI LENS” type, meaning there are three separate lenses, The top lens shows GREEN, or a CLEAR aspect. The middle shows YELLOW, or an APPROACH aspect. The bottom is RED, or STOP. If there was a case where another set of lenses were needed to be added to the mast. They would be placed below the top set. That way, and signal aspect like RED over GREEN, DIVERGING CLEAR could be displayed. Since this is ABS (Automatic Block System), and TWC ( Track Warrant Control), with hand thrown switches, only a single set is needed. The Yellow aspect, can display a FLASHING YELLOW, an APPROACH MEDIUM. We had these on the CTC between Palmer Lake and Crews. Also on the northbound at MP 35.1 it would display a flashing yellow, before coming into Castle Rock. You then knew, if following somebody, the signal at MP 31.8 was RED. If they were stopped, for some reason, and could not proceed, you would stop around MP 32, so you would not tie up the town of Castle Rock.