Bhubaneswar: In a shift to modern signalling system, the East Cost Railway (ECoR) has decided to replace the Semaphore Signal, the ‘last’ mechanical signal under ECoR at Tureikela Road Station near Kantabanji in Bolangir, with Modern Multiple Aspect Colour Lights Signalling system Thursday.
According to ECoR sources, the advantage of colour-light signalling system over semaphore signalling (mechanical signal with arms without multiple aspect colour lights), is higher reliability of electrical control over the signals as compared to the mechanical means for operating semaphore signals.
“Colour-light signals don’t suffer from distance limitations while semaphore signalling does, allowing signal controls to be placed conveniently together even if the signals themselves are far away,” the source said.
Besides, the electrical circuitry in the new system automatically facilitates monitoring, interlocking and detection of failure conditions. These facilities are achievable with mechanical means in semaphore signalling albeit less reliably.
According to the national transporter, in case of colour-light signals, a junction route indicator or directional type route indicator is commonly used to indicate diverging routes. This consists of an additional set of five lunar white lamps in a row at an angle, attached to the main signal. The angle of the junction route indicator corresponds in a rough manner with the angle made by the diverging route. When these additional lamps are lit, they indicate that the signal applies to a diverging route. Otherwise, the signal is taken to apply to the main route.
