New York Central G style GRS signal placement

[GRSdave]

I am new here and have been reading these forums for years.

My question is, Why did New York Central in the late 50's place their G style signals in such a way?

Top signal centered and then second G signal below placed slightly to the right for a particular track. My only
conclusion is, that is the way the earlier original semaphores were placed. They were bigger so as one would not
block the view of the another. MOW just mounted the new G's that way because it was easy, or was there a more important reason?

I notice that new Conrail installs where mounted perfectly vertical.

Thanks to anyone who replies and I love all the information y'all impart.

Dave in Cleveland, Ohio

[GRSdave]

I found this in a Google search that shows in the diagram what I am describing. Looks like it was official
from the NYC System Signal Department.

[amtrakhogger]

Offset signals are automatic/distant, while vertical signals are home signals.

[ExCon90]

They started drifting away from that as early as 1969 or -70 on the Harlem (which had searchlights) and made them all vertical. I never found out why; off-vertical placement for automatic signals was common on many railroads, and I always thought it was a good idea.

[GRSdave]

I grew up in the Cleveland area and there are still G signals on the CSX Cleveland Short Line portion of their mainline. Thanks for the information gentlemen.

[urrengr2003]

Staggered Signal Heads denoted an Automatic Signal whose most restrictive aspect was Stop & Proceed. Vertical Signal Heads denoted a Home Signal whose most restrictive aspect was Stop. Automatic Signals were controlled by the movement of trains while Home Signals were controlled by Towermen (Operators, Dispatchers, Levermen, TCS machines). It took a human action to clear a Home Signal, Automatic Signals cleared with the movements of trains thru their blocks. This practice was continued from semaphores to SA-1 Searchlights when TCS was implemented.

NYC staggered their Automatic Signals to the left while adjacent railroad D&H staggerd their Automatics to the right. Just a note on individual carrier preferences to denote signal types.

[Wayside]

CN still has staggered searchlight automatics on their former GT territory.

[Backshophoss]

With the use of "Hooded signals"(aka "Darth Vader" signals)the only way to tell is if there's a Number plate on the mast,most likely
it's an Automatic signal.