Queensland Railways Terminology

[qrsignalman]

As my interest lies very much with and within Queensland Railways my efforts will be concentrated there.

RCS - Remote Controlled Signalling: QR adopted this term in more recent times when the operating rules and regulations were revised. Previously there were specific rules for CTC signalling and different rules for other areas with remotely controlled colour light signalling such as the Brisbane Suburban area. When the rules and regulations were re-written the term CTC and other terms were removed and replaced with RCS. This gives a much more consistent operational format throughout the state. (but there are still some minor exceptions to the rules)

Smash Signal: QR has from the 1920's to the 1950's a type of signal called a Smash Signal. It is basically a semaphore type signal with an arm which extends across the track which, if the train does not stop at the signal, be smashed by the passing train. These signals were provided maily at unattended crossing loops on the North Coast Line, Central Line, and Southern Line, one also existed in Brisbane at Newmarket where the double track ended and single track commenced. Apparently these were unique to Queensland and although other states expressed interest they did not exist else where.