This is not an official rulebook and the information below may be incorrect or outdated. Please consult your official rulebook if you currently or are considering working for a railroad.
The present SEPTA regional rail system is made up of former Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Company commuter railroad lines. The Pennsy used position light signals, which display aspects as three yellow lights in a row on a three-foot diameter black circle. The Reading used color lights with red, yellow, and green aspects. A combination of position and color lights also exists and can be seen on Amtrak-owned track.
To keep this chart simple, many signals in the NORAC rulebook are omitted. Only signal aspects likely to be seen on the SEPTA regional rail system are shown.
| Signal |
Rule |
Name |
 |
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 (maximum authorized 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 (45 MPH).
|
 |
281c |
Limited Clear |
|
Proceed at Limited Speed (45 MPH) until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, 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 next signal at Medium Speed (30 MPH).
|
 |
282a |
Advance Approach |
|
Proceed prepared to stop at the second signal. Trains exceeding Limited Speed (45 MPH) must begin reduction to Limited Speed as soon as engine passes the Advance Approach signal.
|
 |
283 |
Medium Clear |
|
Proceed at Medium Speed (30 MPH) until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, 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 (30 MPH).
|
 |
283a |
Medium Approach Medium |
|
Proceed at Medium Speed (30 MPH) 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 (15 MPH). Trains exceeding Medium Speed (30 MPH) 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 (30 MPH) 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 (30 MPH) must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the Medium Approach signal is clearly visible.
|
 |
287 |
Slow Clear |
|
Proceed at Slow Speed (15 MPH) until entire train clears interlocking limits or turnouts, then proceed at Normal Speed. In CSS territory with fixed automatic block signals, trains not equipped wth operative cab signals must approach the next signal at Medium Speed (30 MPH) once they have left interlocking limits.
|
 |
288 |
Slow Approach |
|
Proceed prepared to stop at the next signal. Slow Speed (15 MPH) applies within interlocking limits or through turnouts, then Medium Speed (30 MPH) 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 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 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.
|
 |
296 |
Approach Permanent Speed Limit Sign |
|
Proceed prepared to operate at posted speed through permanent speed restriction. Note: In electrified territory, this sign wil 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 signal 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 (30 MPH) must begin reduction to Medium Speed as soon as the engine passes 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 Restricted Area 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 Restricted Area 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.
|
The three-head color light signals can be found at Market East Station and at interlockings on the Reading side of the system. They can also be found at places where SEPTA has installed new interlocking signals, such as Elwyn. The two-head color light signals can be found on the Reading main line between Market East and Wayne Junction. The single-head color light signals can be found on Reading branch lines.
The color-position light signals can be found on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.
The color dwarf signals can be found at entrances to interlockings, typically on routes that are less commonly used.
The yellow position-light signals can be found on the Amtrak's Harrisburg line, used by SEPTA's R5 Paoli-Thorndale trains. The dwarf position-light signals can be found in Suburban Station looking west, and at interlockings on the Harrisburg line. The pedestal signals can be found between Suburban Station and 30th Street Station.
The Rule 280a and 280b signals can be found at Secaucus Station in New Jersey.
DCS means Form D Control System (see rule 400).
