Train Lantern and Flag Signals

Train Engineers and Brakemen used the lantern to signal instructions to others such as the locomotive engineer.

STOP -  Stop signal.  Lantern swung back and forth across tracks.

NOTE: Any object waved violently by anyone on or near the track is a signal to stop

PROCEED - Proceed or go signal.  Lantern raised up and down, vertically.

BACK - Back signal.  Lantern swung vertically in a circle at half-arm's length across the track.

REDUCE SPEED - Reduce speed, or slow down signal.  Lantern is held out to the side, at arm's length. 

APPLY BRAKES - Apply brakes signal.  Lantern is swung horizontally above the head.

RELEASE BRAKES - Release brakes signal.  Lantern is held at arm's length above the head.

TRAIN HAS PARTED - Train has parted or come loose signal.  Lantern is swung vertically in a circle at arm's length across the tracks.

  NOTE: While modern trains have made this signal obsolete, it was a very serious signal in its time.  It meant part of the train was missing or disconnected and could be coasting into the rail yard and cause a collision/wreck.

Train Flag Signals

Train flag signals are a traditional method of communication used by railroads to convey instructions, warnings, or permissions to train crews. Though modern systems rely heavily on electronic signals, flag signals are still important in certain situations, especially during manual operations or emergencies.

Types of Train Flag Signals

Red Flag: Stop immediately. Indicates danger or obstruction ahead. These were used as rear markers when the locomotive itself was the last piece of equipment in the train.

Yellow Flag: Proceed with caution. Often used to warn of track work or slow orders.

White Flag: Often indicates a train is running extra. If a train wasn’t listed in the timetable, it was considered an “extra.” Locomotives would display white flags (or white classification lights at night) to signal this.

Blue Flag: Do not move. Used to protect workers on or near the train.

Green Flag: All clear. When a scheduled train was split into multiple sections due to high demand, all but the last section displayed green flags to show that more trains were coming.

Why It Mattered

In the days before radios and centralized dispatching, these visual cues helped station agents, dispatchers, and other train crews understand:

• Whether a train had authority to be on the track

• If more trains were following

• Whether the train was complete or still had sections to pass

These signals were part of a broader system of classification lights and flags, which have largely been phased out but still appear on heritage and excursion trains for tradition and clarity.