Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Manual signalling

 Maintain some semblance of a service
 
(+2, -2) 		  [vote for,
against]

Due to unforeseen circumstances (wrong type of rain probably), a section of signals failed near where I live, causing considerable chaos as trains were unable to proceed in or out of the local terminus. On a busy mainline route, this meant the trains were stacking up.

Solution?

Where the affected area is very small (as was the case here, maybe 5-6 blocks of signals), why not post a railway worker (who obviously is not involved with actually *fixing* the signal system) on each gantry with a set of high-visibility markers (flags, boards etc.) in red green and yellow to place on each failed signal, keeping in radio contact with the signal box to determine what aspect should be displayed and what trains to expect through.

Or for a bit more fun, post one worker per signal wearing an HV jacket of the correct colour and changing their fashion as necessary.

I hope they like red.

—K o R, Sep 16 2006

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       [+] for fashion-controlled traffic. Although the danger factor will not sit well with those involved.
—normzone, Sep 16 2006
   

       I've often wondered about the need for lighted signals for train traffic in urban areas in the twenty-first century. Just as you have pointed out that the substitute signal men could be cued by radio communication, why wouldn't you just control each train engineer by radio? In other words, directing trains could and should be handled in exactly the same way that air traffic controllers direct traffic in and around airports.   

       (Or have I entirely missed the point, and you were only addressing the problem from a motorist's point of view where streets are crossing active rail lines? If so, please disregard the above.)
—jurist, Sep 16 2006
   

       Check to see if [jutta]'s semaphoring cheerleaders are looking for a service project. I bet they'd be darn good at it - and well received.
—lurch, Sep 16 2006
   

       I'm not sure it would be particularly dangerous per se (the gantries have nice evil lair-compliant handrails). Plus there's no overhead cables where I live (all the dangerous power is down at rail level where forming a human source-to-earth bridge is so much easier).   

       As far as danger for the drivers is concerned, there are standard rules regarding failed signals (proceed as if the signal is showing its most restrictive aspect - 15mph max speed). Gives the trains plenty of time to stop, and they're all in the same boat.   

       Semaphore cheerleaders sounds like a winning combination ^_^
—K o R, Sep 17 2006
   

       And if the driver ignores his manual signalling, he can always resort to a bit of good old digital signalling.
—BunsenHoneydew, Sep 18 2006
   

       If the driver's going to ignore the signals then he really shouldn't be driving 400+ tonnes of metal.
—K o R, Sep 18 2006
   
      
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