Marker Lights

Signal Markers

Two types of marker are mentioned in the 1988 New Zealand Railways Corporation Rule Book -

Signal Markers - These define the class of signal.
End Of Train Markers - These indicate that the train is complete.

This page is about signal markers. The examples are from the Hutt Valley Line.

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What Is A Marker? Examples Of Markers

What Is A Marker?

What is a Marker?

In New Zealand signalling practice a signal with two units vertically aligned is a Stop and Stay signal. If the units are staggered, with the lower one to the right, the signal is Stop and Proceed.

Some signals display only Normal speed and so do not require the lower unit. A marker is used in this case to define the class of the signal. Some Stop and Stay signals have an A-Light which, when illuminated, converts the signal into a Stop and Proceed. This may be because a station is switched out (eg Petone or Taita) or because the signal protects a switchlock siding (eg the Fletcher siding at Ava).

Originally the marker was a small fixed red light. In recent years the red light has been replaced by a reflectorised disk. At Maymorn there is an example of a full size searchlight unit used as a marker.

Some Stop and Stay signals have a low-speed light mounted below the marker or second unit.

Examples Of Markers

The only marker light that I know of in the Hutt Valley. The top unit and the marker are aligned vertically so this is a Stop & Stay signal. This is 7 Down Starting From Loop at Trentham. (23/9/01)	The Marker light on 23 Up Departure from Trentham has been replaced by a reflectorised disk. This is a Stop & Stay signal. The box on the signal post once held the half pilot-key for the single line section to Upper Hutt. Pilot working has been replaced with mis 60 Track & Time Permits. (23/9/01)	The marker disk is offset to the right making this a Stop & Proceed signal. Intermediate signal 411 is on the down main at Ngauranga. The signal is approximately 4110m from the zero point. (18/2/01)
53 Down Starting From Main at Upper Hutt is a Stop & Stay signal with a marker disk. A low-speed light is mounted below the marker. (23/9/01)	A Stop & Stay signal with a low-speed light and an A-Light. When the A-light is illuminated the signal is converted into a Stop & Proceed signal. This is signal 28 Up Platform Starting from Up Main at Taita. The low-speed light is on, authorising movement into the storage siding. (16/1/01)	Signal 67 Down Starting From Down Main at Petone is a stop & stay signal. When the Petone signal Box is switched out the A-light is illuminated and the signal becomes a Stop & Proceed signal. (24/1/01)

Last Updated: Friday, July 29, 2005