Stonehaven Signalling Observation - Question

[Ted633]

Recently travelled from Aberdeen to Stonehaven and back. While waiting for the return trip at Stonehaven, I noticed after a train went through (one in each direction) it was a good 2 minutes before the semaphore signal changed to danger. Not something I’ve ever observed before and was wondering what the reason (if there is one) is for the delay.

I don’t regularly come across semaphores, but previous observation at Garsdale was that they changed to danger in the same sort of time that colour light signals do.

 

[John Webb]

The signaller may have been busy sending the 'Train entering Section" to the next box and "Train out of Section" to the previous box and making the appropriate entries in the train register before replacing the signal?

 

[30907]

Energy saving? I noted the same at Lostwithiel of blessed memory
I have no doubt that "train running away " from the box in rear would produce action

 

[edwin_m]

There will be some sort of control to ensure that the signal is replaced to danger before the previous signal can be cleared for another train to approach it.

 

[Tomnick]

Rushing to put signals back behind a train is a sure fire way of putting the section signal back too soon. Once the home signal's back, it's definitely protected in rear (it should be anyway, as you usually can't give a fresh 'line clear' without the home signal at danger), so there's no tremendous urgency to get the rest back.

 

[Lucy1501]

Motor operated semaphores automatically restore to danger when the track circuit in advance is occupied. Wire run semaphores are fully dependant of the actions of the signaller, and only they will know why they waited.

The General Signalling Regulations currently read as follows:

4.3 Replacing a stop signal to danger
Note: This regulation applies where the signalling equipment does not replace the signal to danger after the passage of a train.

You must replace a stop signal to danger:

• as soon as the last vehicle of the train has passed the signal, or
• where there are points facing to the movement, as soon as the last vehicle is clear of the points.

If a train is stopped with a portion still on the approach side of a stop signal, you must place that signal to danger.

That being said, there is generally little reason to immediately put the signal back unless there is another task depending on it (i.e. raising a level crossing or giving train out of section.)