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It was a Cable hanging out of the Rail, I'm think it was a Trigger for the Train signels that were about 80 yards away. Its not like i was going to kick it and see if it would set off the signels but I am just wondering, If the little cables on the tracks are not the triggers for the signels, Then what sets off the Train signels??
Posts: 56 | From: Sonoma CA USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Picture the two rails as a circuit. When the train gets close enough to the signals the wheels and axles of the train close the circuit and activate the crossing lights and arms. It works the same way with lineside signals. Am I anywhere close to being right anybody?
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Now, Mr. DrunkEngineer, I would refrain from kicking too many things until we are certain precisely what they are. What size is this cable? Perhaps were are referring to the little doodads which joint segments of rail, are maybe a quarter of an inch thick and seven or eight inches long. They would be bond wires, and are most definitely a part of the signal system, ensuring electrical continuity between segments of rail.
Tracks circuits are comprised of insulated blocks, the shunting of which causes the circuit to be occupied, thereby setting signals to red and affecting code determining aspects of other signals. Someone more familiar with the details of this process could shed a lot more light upon it.
Be careful when kicking objects close to the rail. It does not give much.
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