The EPRR Signal Department

The great thing about the EPRR is that it is primarily a single track bi-directional and very scenic mountain railroad. You can see very little of the railroad from any location, which means you, simply can not see where other trains are operating around you. Movement between passing sidings is controlled by the system. Engineers activate the signal system when they want to enter a controlled block and cancel it as they leave the block. The signal system works so well it has eliminated the need for a dispatcher on busy run days.

The EPRR signal system evolved from the basic two lamp system, first known to be used by Clint Ensworth on his loop to loop Pittsburg Akron and Western railroad starting in the late 1970's. A modification of that two color lamp system is used by Bill Hays on his on his Michigan Central railroad. This was improved to include three color lamps for Dick McCloy's Mill Creek Central railroad and change to the low current LED's system, as use on the EPRR. The LED system designed by Hank Roberts for the EPRR is also used on at least two other railroads.

The Signal Maintainer and head of the signal department for the railroad is Hank Roberts who has been with the railroad since 2000. The rest of his crew consists of whoever he can draft to work with him from time to time.

Hank, with a little extra help, has buried over a mile of conduit along the tracks and through the woods over the past years.

Train Movement Signals

The primary signal system controls the blocks of track between passing sidings and wye junction points. By 2007 there were 10 signaled blocks. Block signals are added as new sections of track are completed.


Hank working on signal mast.
Howard Warren assisting Hank
on signaling a new branchline.
Demonstration Module

Hank gets into his work.
Adding another signal button.
Basic workings of signals.

A little mist does not stop progress.
Signal wire dispenser platform in use.

Double signals at Morrison Junction crossover.

A pair of signal capture buttons, each controlling a different block ahead. Here you select the block you will use and then as you move forward, you also have an off-set groundthrow to control the turnout.

Bill Hays helps out during visit.
Steve Wassell helps with signals
at Kimball wye.
Signal Department's work area.

Visitors and new engineers have an opportunity to learn how the signal system functions with a demonstration module that is laid out to represent a signaled block between two passing sidings. It has capture and release buttons at both ends along with two signals to demonstrate what happens when the system is used.

Occupancy Signals

The second type of signal is the occupancy signals. The primary use is for the passenger station tracks to let operating trains know if there is a clear track as the view is blocked when you approach the station. The lights are mounted on a two track signal bridge and auto detect trains anywhere in the station siding and change the signal from green to red. Occupancy signals are also being tried on two of the mainline blocks as a supplement to the signals.


Single lamp occupancy light next to standard signal.
 Two occupancy systems being tested on railroad.
Passenger station signal bridge to indicate occupied station tracks.

Remote Turnout Control

On the EPRR the signal department also installs and maintains the motorized turnouts, which are located at major switch points to allow engineers to throw the turnout as they approach from the point side. By 2007, 10 of the 120 turnouts on the railroad were motorized with several additional turnouts scheduled to be motorized in the future.