Hey everyone, what would be the reason a railroad would use an overhead signal bridge or cantilevered signal bridge instead of a mast style signal? I can see where an overhead style would be used on a double track line, but what about passing sidings? Do all passing sidings use just mast style? I could swear I've seen pictures with an overhead style used on passing sidings but I could be wrong. Thanks -Mike
I'd say anywhere visibility is reduced, would be a good candidate for a bridge mounted signal. Like where control point is located around a corner, or where heavy snow accumulations could occur. One passing siding I can think of that has bridge mounted signal is West Merritt on BNSF Scenic sub-division. Here is West Merritt http://www.gngoat.org/bnsf5294merritt.JPG
Greg, thanks for the reply and that picture. I'll be able to use my signal bridge now. :tb-biggrin: -Mike
Mike, Remember that historically, all signals protecting a track had to be to the right of that track. So in double track situations, if there was not adequate room between the tracks for a mast signal, an overhead signal bridge was the only option (although adding a doll arm to a mast allows a signal on the mast to control a track it is not adjacent to). This rule was changed a long time ago and now masts are preferred when possible due to safety issues with workers on the signal bridges. Around my part of Atlanta, all of the NS lines have signal bridges with double track and signal masts with single track, while all of the CSX lines around here use signal masts almost exclusively (there are no signal bridges on the entire CSX Abbeville Sub that I live along). Jamie
Jamie, thanks for the info! =) I did a bit o' searching and came up with another picture, this one outlines the signal bridge AND the passing siding. So I suppose I could use the one I have on one of my passing sidings to make it look like this: Westbound BNSF manifest Every other signal bridge I could find in my search was for double track, which I have none of. Thanks again! -Mike
