Speed Limit Signs

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Speed limit signs are circular white signs with a red outline that can be found on the right side of the tracks, with a number informing of the maximum speed the train is allowed to travel at. The limit applies to the section ahead of the sign, all the way up to the next speed limit sign or a switch, whichever comes first.

The speed that a sign is limiting to is usually dictated by the physical properties of the track ahead, namely the turn radius of its curves. Going any faster than the limit poses a risk for derailment.

Since the trains are long, the driver must be aware of not only the speed limit ahead of the train, but also all the way to the rearmost vehicle. For example, when a heading locomotive passes a sign with a higher speed limit than the previous, the driver still needs to wait for the last car to pass it, before accelerating. Otherwise the cars in the rear would go over the limit in their track section, and potentially derail.

The speed limit applies immediately following a sign. Thus, the signs must be observed and reacted to from a distance. That said, signs that show lower limits than the previous are always placed with enough headroom for a train to slow down even after passing them. This is a safety measure, but should not be relied upon outside of an emergency.

To help see them better at a distance, speed limit signs show the speed with fewer digits. Their value is divided by ten, so for example, the limit of 50 km/h is simply shown as "5".

To help anticipate if the next limit will involve a significant change of speed, speed signs are accompanied by appendix signs. If the next limit has a speed increase of 20 km/h or more, a green appendix with an arrow pointing up is added to the sign. In similar fashion, if the speed limit ahead has a speed decrease of 20 km/h or more, a red appendix with an arrow pointing down is added to the sign.

In Derail Valley the speed limit for going through yards is 30 km/h, except for mainline tracks going through, where the speed limit is 50 km/h. For operations involving contact between vehicles, such as shunting, the speed limit is 5 km/h.

Installing a distance tracker gadget helps determine when the last car has passed the speed limit sign, which can help safely increase average speeds.