This page describes some of the more common signs found in the New York
City Subway. If you find any not listed that you've seen while riding the front
of a train, send E-Mail to Joe
Korman. I'll add it to this page. All of the signs in the system are used
to tell the train crews how to operate their trains safely.
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15 mile per hour speed limit |
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10 car train stop. The train operator stops at the number for
train. |
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10 car train is clear of switches to reverse direction. |
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10 car train may resume normal speed if signals are clear (used
after curves and switches). |
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Grade Time signals ahead set for 15 MPH. The signal will clear
based on how long the train takes to travel in the track section (block)
approaching the signal (TIME=DIST/SPEED). See Subway
Signals Web Page and the WD Signs . |
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Same as GT above |
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Station Time signals speed. This allows the following train to
enter a station while the first is leaving. |
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Trains of any length stop. |
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Trains using the DIVERGING ROUTE 15 MPH |
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Begin Wheel Detector area - speed 10MPH.
This section has sensors that detect the speed of the train wheels. The signals
are similar to Grade Time Control signals, but detect the actual speed of the
train. Signals will be set to stop to warn the train operator and control
towers. |
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End Wheel Detector area. |
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A telephone (TA phone not NYTEL) is near by. |
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This sign is usually found at the door to the repair shops. The
train operator must stop, sound horn and proceed with caution. |
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With the start of One Person Train Operatotion (OPTO) this sign
tells the operator where to stop the train in the station. |
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At the entrance to shops and inspection barns, this sign reminds
the train operator to make sure the door is high enough to clear the roof of
the train. |
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This sign is placed at the fouling point of a switch in yards. If
any cars are past this point, the tower operator will not be able to throw the
switch to the track. Also there is a danger that trains moving on the yard lead
or next track will hit the corner of the train. |
The above sign is located where the conductor should be when the train
stops in a station. This is for an eight car train. If he/she cannot look
straight out from the cab and see this indication board, some of the cars in
the train are not in the station. The doors MUST NOT be opened.
Every 600 feet or so, throughout the subway, there is a BLUE light in
the tunnel. At or near the light are the following items:
