Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad (NICTD)


NICTD Signal Aspects for Control Point 32.2

The signals at CP 32.2 were reconfigured in 2011 to the layout shown below.
Approach Diverging was added to the westbound signal in 2023.

WESTBOUND

CP 32.2 Westbound - Trains Arriving at Carroll Ave Station (from South Bend)
Proceed
The train is clear to proceed into the Carroll Ave Station.

CLEAR then CLEAR
The track ahead is clear and CP 33.3 is CLEAR or APPROACH.
Train is routed to Track 1 through Michigan City.
CP 33.3 CLEAR - Train will pass platform on Track 1.
CP 33.3 APPROACH DIVERGING - Train will take the bypass track.
CP 33.3 APPROACH - Prepare to stop at CP 33.7.
CLEAR then APPROACH DIVERGING
The track ahead is clear and CP 33.3 is diverging.
Train is routed to Track 2 through Michigan City.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING CLEAR - Train will pass platform on Track 2.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING CLEAR APPROACH DIVERGING - Train will take the bypass track.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING APPROACH - Prepare to stop at CP 33.7.

This is the most common routing for passenger trains to Chicago.
APPROACH
The track ahead is clear and the train may proceed prepared to stop at CP 33.3 (Michigan Ave).

This aspect is common for trains terminating at Carroll Ave.
The train is allowed to pass the station and wait for a signal to back into the yard.

CP 33.3 RESTRICTING - Train is cleared to pass interlocking at restricted speed.
CP 33.3 STOP - Train is not cleared to pass.
RESTRICTING
The train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed.

In the first example, RESTRICTING at both signals indicates that a train or obstruction is present between the westernmost signal at CP 32.2 and the eastbound signal at CP 33.3 (track highlighted in red). The train approaching a RESTRICTING signal may pass the signal prepared to stop before the train or obstruction ahead.
RESTRICTING
The train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed.

In the second example, STOP is indicated at the second signal. STOP indicates that a train or obstruction is present within the interlocking or that the dispatcher has not cleared the approaching train to pass the signal. The train approaching the RESTRICTING signal may pass the signal prepared to stop before the STOP signal.
Do Not Proceed
STOP
The stop indication is shown when the dispatcher has not cleared the train to proceed. The train must stop and stay stopped until it receives permission from the dispatcher to proceed.

This indication is seen when an arriving westbound train is held for an eastbound train. This replaced the practice of verbally allowing a train to proceed past Karwick Rd to this point.
Proceed to South Harbor
RESTRICTING
The restricting indication (bottom light flashing) is shown when the dispatcher has cleared the train to proceed to South Harbor freight yard.

The main line switch is remote controlled, however the derail and switches on the CSS freight line must be thrown by hand.

CP 32.2 Westbound - Trains Leaving Carroll Ave Yard
The signal shown is on the yard lead. The signal on CY-0 (the center car yard track) follows a similar pattern of operation.
Proceed
The train is clear to proceed into the Carroll Ave Station.

CLEAR then CLEAR
The track ahead is clear and CP 33.3 is CLEAR or APPROACH.
Train is routed to Track 1 through Michigan City.
CP 33.3 CLEAR - Train will pass platform on Track 1.
CP 33.3 APPROACH DIVERGING - Train will take the bypass track.
CP 33.3 APPROACH - Prepare to stop at CP 33.7.
CLEAR then APPROACH DIVERGING
The track ahead is clear and CP 33.3 is diverging.
Train is routed to Track 2 through Michigan City.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING CLEAR - Train will pass platform on Track 2.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING CLEAR APPROACH DIVERGING - Train will take the bypass track.
CP 33.3 DIVERGING APPROACH - Prepare to stop at CP 33.7.

This is the most common routing for passenger trains to Chicago.
APPROACH
The track ahead is clear and the train may proceed prepared to stop at CP 33.3 (Michigan Ave).

This aspect is common for eastbound trains originating at Carroll Ave. The train is allowed to pass the station and wait for a signal to head to South Bend.
CP 33.3 RESTRICTING - Train is cleared to pass interlocking at restricted speed.
CP 33.3 STOP - Train is not cleared to pass.
RESTRICTING
The train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed.

In the first example, RESTRICTING at both signals indicates that a train or obstruction is present between the westernmost signal at CP 32.2 and the eastbound signal at CP 33.3 (track highlighted in red). The train approaching a RESTRICTING signal may pass the signal prepared to stop before the train or obstruction ahead.
RESTRICTING
The train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed.

In the second example, STOP is indicated at the second signal. STOP indicates that a train or obstruction is present within the interlocking or that the dispatcher has not cleared the approaching train to pass the signal. The train approaching the RESTRICTING signal may pass the signal prepared to stop before the STOP signal.

Cars being added to the rear of a westbound train will see this indication once the dispatcher clears the cars to enter the interlocking.
Do Not Proceed
STOP
The stop indication is shown when the dispatcher has not cleared the train to proceed. The train must stop and stay stopped until it receives permission from the dispatcher to proceed.

This indication is seen when a departing westbound train is held for an eastbound train. This replaces the practice of verbally clearing a train to leave the yard.
Proceed to South Harbor
RESTRICTING
The train has permission to proceed past the signal into the RIP tracks (repair in place) or the South Harbor freight yard.

Trains leaving the yard for South Harbor on the "New Connection" or via the main line connection will see this indication. Note: The interlocking switches are remote controlled, however the derail and switches on the CSS freight line must be thrown by hand.

CP 32.2 Westbound - Trains Leaving Carroll Ave Station (Diamond Signal)

One of the following indications are seen on the westbound diamond signal when the dispatcher has cleared a train to cross the diamond and proceed westbound toward Chicago. The aspect displayed depends on track occupancy and the aspect of the next signal (CP 33.0).

CLEAR: The track ahead is clear and next signal is clear or approach. Train is routed through Michigan City on Track 2.

APPROACH DIVERGING: The track ahead is clear, but the next signal is diverging. Train is routed through Michigan City on Track 1.

APPROACH: The track ahead is clear, but the next signal (CP 33.3) is restricting or stop.

RESTRICTING: The track ahead is not clear, however the train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed.

STOP: The stop indication is shown when the dispatcher has not cleared the train to proceed. The train must stop and stay stopped until it receives permission from the dispatcher. STOP is also shown when the path through CP 32.2 is occupied.

EASTBOUND

CP 32.2 Eastbound - Trains Arriving at Carroll Ave Station from the West
(See below for eastbound trains terminating in Michigan City.)
Proceed toward South Bend
One of the first three sets of indications is seen when the dispatcher has cleared a train to cross the diamond and proceed eastbound into the Carroll Ave Station, then on to South Bend.
These indications would only be seen by trains passing through toward South Bend.

CLEAR
The track ahead is clear and CP 31.3 is not stop or restricting.
APPROACH
The track ahead is clear and the train may proceed prepared to stop at CP 31.3.
RESTRICTING
The path is cleared through both signals to use the main toward South Bend, however the track segment between CP 32.2 and CP 31.3 is not clear.
Additional RESTRICTING aspects are shown below.

Restricting may indicate a train before the next signal, an open switch at the dock track, east end of the yard or the yard east of Karwick Rd or a broken rail. The train is permitted to proceed beyond the signal prepared to stop short of any such obstruction.
Do Not Proceed
STOP
The stop indication is shown when the dispatcher has not cleared the train to proceed. The train must stop and stay stopped until it receives permission from the dispatcher to proceed.

CP 32.2 Eastbound - RESTRICTING Signal
The train has permission to proceed past the signal at a reduced speed. The following scenarios apply:
Proceed into Yard - Train Terminating at Shops
The track is cleared through both signals to enter the yard.

Note: Hand operated switches and derails beyond the interlocking must be manually thrown.
Proceed to Platform - Platform Signal Not Cleared
The track is cleared through the first signal but the second signal is not clear.

If the signal at the platform is stop the train must stop before that signal. The location of the next signal does not allow any cars to stop at the platform. If the signal at the platform is restricting (above) then the train can pull past the signal to the normal stopping point for passenger trains and/or continue under the rules for a restricting signal.
Proceed to CSS Kingsbury Line
The track is cleared to the CSS Kingsbury Line.

Note: Hand operated switches and derails beyond the interlocking must be manually thrown.
The defined meaning of the signals on all above charts is as shown in the Chicago Operating Rules Association guide (CORA), 6th Edition, dated October 1, 2007. Additional notes have been added to increase understanding. Signal configuration is by personal observation.

NICTD uses approach lit signals on the CTC controlled section of their mainline. Siding signals such as the freight track dwarf signals are constantly lit.
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