An 8-Photo Sequence of Semaphores - Before, During, After a Train

The photographs in this PhotoBlog were taken by Roger Puta in October 1985.  This amazing sequence shows Roger's love of signals. Few of us would have stayed around to get the whole sequence. 

The aspects of the signals in the first photo show the track is clear in both directions.

The location on the Southern Pacific RR was along the Tuscon Division, Carrizozo Subdivision - Ancho Block (Direct Traffic Control) - between clearance point east switch Robsart siding M.P. 1447.4 and clearance point east switch Ancho siding M.P. 1463.6 in New Mexico. Thanks to Bob Finan via the Train Orders Discussion site for the location information.

The one blade signal shows the block ahead is now occupied.

 

The one blade signal shows the block ahead is occupied.

 

The one blade signal shows the block ahead is still occupied. The two arm signal shows the engineer that the next two blocks are clear.

The double blade now shows the block next to the camera is occupied.

The double blade now shows the block next to the camera is occupied. The single blade shows the block ahead of the camera is clear.

The train has cleared the block next to the camera. The aspect on the double arm signal is equivalent to a yellow signal which tells an engineer in a train coming at the camera to prepare to stop at the next signal.

The train has cleared the second block behind the camera. The signals say clear in both directions. 

The End

Thank you Roger for this documentation and for teaching us.