Control Train Components

Train Order Signal
Control Lever

Kit # UN-3700

Modelers Information Sheet

Prototype Data:

Designed in 1943 by the Advisory Committee on Way and Structures which was made up of engineering personal from the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O), Erie, Nickel Plate (NYC&St. L), and Pere Marquette (PM) Railways to control motorized Train Order semaphore signals. These "new" motorized train order semaphore signals were being installed to replace many older manually operated signals. To better understand the operation of this component we must first review some timetable and train order (TT&TO) operating rules. There were two standard train order forms, the "19" and the "31", the use of "19" and "31" orders, as well as the procedure in which they are delivered to the train crew is quite different. When a form "19" has been correctly repeated to the dispatcher, he says "complete" giving the time and the division superintendent's initials. A copy of the order with the time and the operator's signature is then delivered to the train crew. If the order does not restrict the timetable superiority of the train at the point where it is received, the train need not stop and the order form "19" may be picked up on the fly. The procedure for a form "31" order is different. When a form "31" order has been repeated to the dispatcher, the time of repeat is noted.

To deliver this order, the train must stop and the order read to the operator by the receiving train crew. The operator gives the dispatcher the order number and the signature of the crew. The dispatcher at this point gives his O.K. by saying "complete" and gives the time and the division superintendent's initials. A copy of the order with the time and operator's signature is given to the train crew. Thus a form "31" order is definitely shown to have been properly understood by the train crew to whom it is addressed to before the order is considered "complete."

Figure 1

Figure 2

These plates where mounted in a small olive drab box (click here) and surrounded a three position vertically mounted rotary switch that moved +/- 30 degrees from vertical. Each lever has four indication lamps associated with it (see figure 1). The white lamp over each lever indicates that the light in the wayside train order signal is lit. If the light in the signal burns out, the white indication lamp goes out and a Signal Maintainer is called to make repairs. The center lever position controls the "Clear Train Order" (Rule 224-C of figure 2) aspect. The green indication lamp will light when the wayside train order signal assumes this position. The left lever position controls the "Receive Orders" (Rule 224-B of figure 2) aspect. The yellow indication lamp will light when the wayside train order signal assumes this position. The Receive Orders aspect was used when a non-restrictive order form 19 was to be received by the train crew. The right lever position controls the "Stop Train Order" (Rule 224-A of figure 2) aspect. The red indication lamp will light when the wayside train order signal assumes this position. The Stop Train Order aspect was used when a restrictive order form 31 was to be received by the train crew.