Compare With NSW

New Zealand And Overseas Signal Aspects Compared

This page compares the running signal aspects used in New Zealand with those used by the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) in NSW and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in the USA. It is not intended to be a comprehensive explanation of RIC or BNSF signalling. The purpose of the page is to demonstrate that there are many different ways of defining colour light signal aspects. This is one of the reasons why railway signalling is so interesting.

My sources of data are:

NSW Rail Infrastructure Corporation Safeworking Online site. See NSG 606 and NSG 602.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Technical Training Center. BNSF uses the GCOR rules and a copy can be downloaded from this site, along with various other operating documents. I have received a report that this link no longer works - the page is behind a firewall (2/10/04).
New Zealand Signalling information is from the 1988 Rule Book. I am not aware of a copy online. However, copies of the 1965 NZGR Rule Book and associated Regulations can be downloaded from my Safeworking page.

Points Indicators (with Purple and Red lights) are also used in New Zealand. I have not included a description of them here and have not researched the use of points indicators by RIC and BNSF.

Home > Signalling Principles > Comparative Aspects

Aspect	New Zealand (1988)	RIC NSW Double Colour (2002)	BNSF (1999)
	Illegal	CLEAR PROCEED. Next signal displays a PROCEED indication.	Illegal
	Advance Caution Normal Speed Proceed at nomal speed. Section is clear and signal in advance is at "Caution" for Normal speed. Introduced after issue of 1988 Rule Book./p	Illegal	Approach Medium. Proceed prepared to pass next signal not exceeding 40 MPH and be prepared to enter diverging route at prescribed speed.
	Illegal	Illegal	Approach Restricting Proceed prepared to pass next signal at restricted speed.
	Illegal	PRELIMINARY MEDIUM PROCEED. Next signal displays at least a MEDIUM indication.	Illegal
	Illegal	MEDIUM PROCEED. Next signal displays at least a CAUTION or CAUTION TURNOUT indication.	Illegal
	Caution Normal Speed Proceed at normal speed, prepared to reduce to intermediate speed at next signal. Section is clear and signal in advance is at "Caution" or "Clear" for intermediate speed only.	Illegal	Approach Limited Proceed prepared to pass next signal not exceeding 60 MPH and to advance on diverging route.
	Caution Normal Speed Proceed at normal speed, prepared to reduce to medium speed at next signal. Section is clear and signal inadvance is at "Caution" or "Clear" for medium speed only.	Illegal	Advance Approach Proceed prepared to pass next signal not exceeding 50 MPH and to advance on diverging route.
	Illegal	MEDIUM TURNOUT PROCEED on turnout route. Next signal displays at least a CAUTION or CAUTION TURNOUT indication.	Illegal
	Clear Normal Speed Proceed at Normal speed. Section is clear and signal next in advance is at "Caution" or "Clear" for Normal speed.	CAUTION PROCEED. Next signal may be at Stop.	Clear Proceed
	Caution Normal Speed Proceed at normal speed, prepared to stop at next signal. Section is clear but signal in advance is at "stop" or is displaying a Low-speed indication.	CAUTION TURNOUT PROCEED on turnout route. Next signal may be at STOP	Approach Proceed prepared to stop at next signal, trains exceeding 40 MPH immediately reduce to that speed.
	Clear Intermediate Speed Proceed at intermediate speed. Section is clear but suitable for intermediate speed only, and signal next in advance is at "Caution" or "Clear" for medium, Intermediate or normal speed.	Illegal	Illegal
	Clear Medium Speed Proceed at Medium speed. Section is clear but suitable for medium speed only, and signal next in advance is at "Caution" or "Clear" for medium, Intermediate or normal speed.	Illegal	Diverging Clear Proceed on diverging route not exceeding prescribed speed through turnout.
	Illegal	Illegal	Diverging Approach Diverging Proceed on diverging route not exceeding prescribed speed through turnout prepared to advance on diverging route at the next signal not exceeding prescribed speed through turnout.
	Caution Intermediate Speed Proceed at intermediate speed, prepared to stop at next signal. Section is clear but suitable for intermediate speed only, and signal in advance is at "Stop" or is displaying a Low-speed indication.	Illegal	Diverging Approach Medium Proceed on diverging route not exceeding prescribed speed through turnout prepared to pass next signal not exceeding 35 MPH.
	Caution, Medium Speed. Proceed at medium speed, prepared to stop at next signal. Section is clear but suitable for medium speed only,and signal in advance is at "Stop" or is displaying a Low-speed indication.	Illegal	Diverging Approach Proceed on diverging route not exceeding prescribed speed through turnout; approach next signal preparing to stop, if exceeding 40 MPH immediately reduce to that speed.
	Illegal	LOW SPEED PROCEED ready to stop at the next signal. NOTE: The line immediately beyond the next signal may be occupied. Where train stops are provided, a maximum speed of 25km/h applies.	Illegal
	Illegal	CLOSE UP PROCEED ready to stop at the next signal. NOTE: The line immediately beyond the next signal may be occupied.	Illegal
	Caution Low Speed Proceed at low speed, prepared to find track occupied, and ready to stop clear of any obstruction. Points are in the proper position but track may be occupied or suitable for low speed only.	Calling On or Shunt Ahead Points are locked. Track may not be clear. This is classed as a shunt signal.	Illegal
	Illegal	Illegal	Restricting Proceed at restricted speed.
	Illegal	Illegal	Restricting Proceed at restricted speed.
	STOP	STOP	STOP

Last Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2005