277. General Requirements; Qualifying Features
The signal aspects and indications illustrated in Rules 279 through 298a govern the movement of trains and track cars. Other aspects must not be used unless shown in the Timetable with location, indication, and name.

Aspects are shown by one or more of the following methods:
1. The color of lights.
2. The flashing of lights.
3. The position of lights.
4. The position of semaphore arms.
5. The shape of the signal background on a position light dwarf or pedestal signal.
6. The shape, color or lettering of signs.

In the illustrations for Rules 281 through 292, the bottom unit of high position light and color position light signals (figures A and B) is shown only for aspects that require its use. At signal locations the bottom unit of these signals (if equipped) will be dark for aspects that do not require its use.

The following figure is used with signal aspects to indicate a flashing light:

The following figure is used with signal aspects to indicate a number plate:

A number plate attached to a signal's mast or in an adjacent location signifies that the signal's most restrictive indication is more favorable than Stop. Number plates are illustrated in these rules only when they are needed to qualify the signal aspect.

Where signals are located on a bracket post to display aspects for two tracks, the right hand signal governs the track to the right, and the left hand signal governs the track to the left.


Example:

 
Where a track intervenes between a signal and the track governed, a dummy mast, marked by a blue light or reflector, will be placed to the field side of the signal.

Example:

278. Placement of Signs
The following signs must be placed at braking distance from the restriction to which they apply:
1. Approach Speed Limit Sign (Rule 296a).
2. Approach Permanent Speed Limit Sign (Rule 296).
3. Approach Sign (Rule 297).

The following signs must be placed in both directions protecting the tracks affected, to the right of and adjacent to the track requiring protection:
1. Approach Speed Limit Sign (Rule 296a).
2. Speed Limit Sign (Rule 296b).
3. Resume Speed Sign (Rule 296c).
4. Approach Sign (Rule 297).
5. Stop Sign (Rule 297a).
6. Working Limits Speed Limit Sign (Rule 297b).
7. Working Limits Resume Speed Sign (Rule 297c).

The following signs may be used on tracks adjacent to a track requiring protection. Signs will be in effect
only when movement is routed to the track requiring protection.
1. Diverging Approach Speed Limit Sign (Rule 296d).
2. Diverging Approach Sign (Rule 297d).

279. Cab Signal Aspects
In accordance with Rule 552, “Conformity between Cab Signals and Fixed Signals,” the following chart illustrates the cab signal aspect that must conform to the applicable fixed signal.
 

Name	Aspects	*SDU Display
Clear		The center speedometer numerals in green
Cab Speed		A green band 0 to 60 or 80 MPH
Approach Limited		A green band 0 to 45 MPH
Approach Medium		A green band 0 to 45 MPH
Approach		A green band 0 to 30 MPH
Restricting		A green band 0 to 20 MPH, Yellow band at 0
Stop Signal		A green band 0 to 20 MPH, Yellow band at 0
* Some engines are equipped with a Speed Display Unit (SDU) that displays an authorized speed, rather than an aspect representation of a fixed signal.

The following chart identifies the cab signal(s) that must be displayed to conform to each fixed signal, in
accordance with Rule 552, “Conformity between Cab Signals and Fixed Signals.”

When the movement of a train is governed solely by the cab signal, the indication of the fixed signal with
the same name (i.e. Clear, Cab Speed, Approach Limited, Approach Medium, Approach, or Restricting) will apply.

Movements are governed solely by cab signals when:
1. The train is operating in territory where cab signals are used without fixed automatic block signals (Rule 562).
OR
2. The cab signal changes between fixed signals (Rule 553).
OR
3. The cab signal is more restrictive than the fixed signal when the train enters a block (Rule 552).

Rule	Aspect	Name	Indication
280a		CLEAR TO NEXT INTERLOCKING	Trains with inoperative cab signals, automatic train stop or speed control must proceed on fixed signal indication, (and cab signal indication, if operable) not exceeding 79 MPH. Trains with inoperative cab signals must approach the next home signal prepared to stop, unless Approach Normal (Rule 280b) is displayed on a distant signal prior to the home signal.
280b		APPROACH NORMAL	Trains without operative cab signals must proceed on fixed signal indication not exceeding 79 MPH.
281		CLEAR	Proceed not exceeding Normal Speed.
281a		CAB SPEED	Proceed in accordance with cab signal indication. Reduce speed to not exceeding 60 MPH if Cab Speed cab signal is displayed without a signal speed, or if cab signals are not operative.
281b		APPROACH LIMITED	Proceed approaching the next signal at Limited Speed.
281c		LIMITED CLEAR	Proceed at Limited Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed automatic block signals, trains not equipped with operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Limited Speed.
282		APPROACH MEDIUM	Proceed approaching the next signal at Medium Speed.
282A		ADVANCED APPROACH	Proceed prepared to stop at the second signal. Trains exceeding Limited Speed must begin reduction to Limited Speed as soon as engine passes the Advance Approach signal.
283		MEDIUM CLEAR	Proceed at Medium Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed automatic block signals, trains not equipped with operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Medium Speed.
283A		MEDIUM APPROACH MEDIUM	Proceed at Medium Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then approach the next signal at Medium Speed. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the Medium Approach Medium signal is clearly visible.
284		APPROACH SLOW	Proceed approaching the next signal at Slow Speed. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Slow signal.
285		APPROACH	Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach signal.
286		MEDIUM APPROACH	Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the Medium Approach signal is clearly visible.
287		SLOW CLEAR	Proceed at Slow Speed until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed signals, trains not equipped with operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Medium Speed once they have left interlocking limits.
288		SLOW APPROACH	Proceed prepared to stop at next signal. Slow Speed applies until entire train clears all interlocking or spring switches, then Medium Speed applies.
290		RESTRICTING	Proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has cleared all interlocking and spring switches (if signal is an interlocking or CP Signal) and the leading wheels have: 1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal. or 2. Entered non-signaled DCS territory. In CSS territory, trains with operative cab signals must not increase speed until the train has run one train length or 500 feet (whichever distance is greater), past a location where a more favorable cab signal was received.
291		STOP AND PROCEED	Stop, then proceed at Restricted Speed until the entire train has cleared all interlocking and spring switches (if signal is an inter-locking or CP signal) and the leading wheels have: 1. Passed a more favorable fixed signal, OR 2. Entered non-signaled DCS territory. In CSS territory, trains with operative cab signals must not increase their speed until they have run one train length or 500 feet (whichever distance is greater) past a location where a more favorable cab signal was received. Where a letter G (grade marker) or a letter R (restricting marker) is displayed in addition to a number plate as part of these aspects, freight trains may observe the signal as though Restricting, Rule 290, were displayed.
292		STOP SIGNAL	Stop.
293		SWITCH CLOSED SIGNAL	Proceed.
293a		SWITCH OPEN SIGNAL	Proceed prepared to stop short of open switches.
293b		APPROACH CLEAR	Proceed. NOTE: Does not convey block or track information.
293c		APPROACH RESTRICTING	Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Restricting signal. NOTE: Does not convey block or track information.
294		CLEAR SLIDE DETECTOR SIGNAL	Proceed; slide detector not actuated.
294a		SLIDE DETECTOR SIGNAL	Approach actuated slide detector prepared to stop short of obstruction.
296		APPROACH PERMANENT SPEED LIMIT SIGN	Proceed prepared to operate at posted speed through permanent speed restriction. NOTE: In electrified territory, this sign will be mounted in the catenary system; in non-electrified territory, this sign will be mounted on an overhead bridge or on a pole approximately 12 feet above the top of the rail.
296a		APPROACH SPEED LIMIT SIGN	Approach the Speed Limit Sign at a speed not exceeding the speed posted on the Approach Speed Limit Sign. Where a sign with two sets of numerals is posted, the higher speed applies to passenger trains, and the lower speed applies to freight trains.
296b		SPEED LIMIT SIGN	Proceed at speed posted on the Approach Speed Limit Sign until the entire train has passed the Resume Speed Sign.
296c		RESUME SPEED SIGN	Resume speed after the entire train has passed the Resume Speed Sign.
296d		DIVERGING APPROACH SPEED LIMIT SIGN	If routed to affected track, approach the Speed Limit Sign not exceeding the speed on the Diverging Approach Speed Limit Sign.
297		APPROACH SIGN	Proceed prepared to stop at the Stop Sign. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Approach Sign.
297a		STOP SIGN	Stop, unless permission is received as prescribed by Rule 135.
297b		WORKING LIMITS SPEED LIMIT SIGN	Proceed not exceeding 30 MPH until passing a Working Limits Resume Speed Sign, unless otherwise instructed by the employee in charge.
297c		WORKING LIMITS RESUME SPEED SIGN	Resume speed after the entire train has passed the Working Limits Resume Speed Sign.
297d		DIVERGING APPROACH SIGN	If routed to affected track, proceed prepared to stop at the Stop Sign. Trains exceeding Medium Speed must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes the Diverging Approach Sign.
298		DISTANT SIGNAL MARKER	Visual reminder to push- pull trains that Rule 504(b) applies in the block governed by this signal. NOTE: Located on or near the mast of distant signals in territory where push-pull trains operate, cab signals are not in service, and the maximum speed of trains exceeds 30 MPH.
298a		DELAYED IN BLOCK SIGN	Visual reminder to push- pull trains that Rule 504(b) applies to station stops made at this station. NOTE: Located at or near the end of passenger stations in blocks between distant signals and home signals in territory where push-pull trains operate, cab signals are not in service, and the maximum speed of trains exceeds 30 MPH.

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