Pigs ears

[strange6]

Don't see too many pigs ears on signals these days. Are they still used in any part of the country now?

 

[driver9000]

London Underground has them in places although with the standard policy now to stop 20m in rear of a signal makes pigs ears obsolete.

 

[strange6]

London Underground has them in places although with the standard policy now to stop 20m in rear of a signal makes pigs ears obsolete.

The only signal I know of that has them is the entry signal to the Earlestown connection that branches off the WCML some 4 or 5 miles down the line from Wigan NW.
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London Underground has them in places although with the standard policy now to stop 20m in rear of a signal makes pigs ears obsolete.

Does that include platform signals for through trains? trains I go on always pull right up to them when they're on; I sometimes wonder how the driver can see the main aspect properly, Deansgate being a classic example.

 

[66526]

London Underground has them in places although with the standard policy now to stop 20m in rear of a signal makes pigs ears obsolete.

We pull right up to signals on LUL. Yes most signals still have pigs ears on LU

 

[Flamingo]

OK, what's a pigs ear? I'm curious now!

 

[66526]

http://www.trainweb.org/districtdave/html/london_underground_signaling.html

Scroll about halfway down the page, there is a picture of a signal (WP54) and it explains there. It's for when we've drawn right up to the stick it makes it easier to see the aspect.

 

[LE Greys]

http://www.trainweb.org/districtdave/html/london_underground_signaling.html

Scroll about halfway down the page, there is a picture of a signal (WP54) and it explains there. It's for when we've drawn right up to the stick it makes it easier to see the aspect.

Just been looking at that page, I can only just see it. Do they look that small from alongside?

I take it these are the coloured-light equivalent of the repeater arms that you sometimes found on the bottom of tall semaphores. I think they even had banner-repeaters on the side of some at cab window height.

 

[66526]

They are quite obvious 'in the flesh'. Have seen a stick with the main green aspect not displaying but with the pigs ear still displaying the aspect and you could see it from quite a distance.

 

[LE Greys]

They are quite obvious 'in the flesh'. Have seen a stick with the main green aspect not displaying but with the pigs ear still displaying the aspect and you could see it from quite a distance.

Is this the modern-day equivalent? Platform 4 at Penzance.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1547411

 

[66526]

It appears to be the same principal yes. There are quite a few co acting signals on the underground lines i sign too on starter signals.

 

[driver9000]

The signal at Penzance had the extra aspects added for the benefit of HST drivers who were stood very close to the signal on changing ends.

Signals on Network Rail don't have pigs ears, even historically it was a non standard feature. The signals at Deansgate certainly don't.

James, I worded it badly. I know LU draw up closer than we do but didn't realise you drew close enough to make pigs ears still useful.

 

[Fozzie49]

Networkrail signal outer lenses have built into them a 'hot spot' which directs the aspects displayed towards drivers stopped close to the signal.

 

[Flamingo]

Cheers. I was wondering.

 

[DavyCrocket]

James, I worded it badly. I know LU draw up closer than we do but didn't realise you drew close enough to make pigs ears still useful.

The reason is (other than line capacity) is that there is a plethora of signals are approach controlled.

 

[66526]

Also, in our case when we're in a tunnel it means the candles (sorry, 'headlights' ) can pick up the ID plate. We are instructed to pull right up to all sticks. The exception is a starter signal, I pull up at the passenger trains stopping mark so I can look in the OPO mirrors and see if anyones trying to climb on etc.