Talk:Distant signal

Flashing ink

The Norwegian distant signal flashes. The image on Norwegian railway signalling flashes. How does one print the flashing signal. Well, you cannot. Flashing ink does not exist. The image in Norwegian railway signalling should be modified so that it still works on paper, and in black and white.

Tabletop 07:46, 15 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Flashing ink would be quite a treat, but I'm afraid the only solution sounds like two separate images, with visibility depending on whether the media is print or not. Not sure whether this can be easily done! -- JonRoma 18:05, 15 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The solution is a mixture of things.

label the lamps Y=Yellow G=Green F=Flashing so that the coolur is evident even on a black and white print.
make sure that the presence of a lamp is always clear by outlining in a thin white line.
continue to use the albeit modified Norwegian railway signalling.

Tabletop 10:01, 16 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, Tabletop.

Yes, that is what I had in mind, albeit the convention used within those who work with signalling (professionally as well as enthusiasts) use "FR", "FY" and "FG" for "flashing red", "flashing yellow", and "flashing green". This could be done on the colour image though it could also be a separate one for print only if someone can figure out how to do that!

Another nit to pick is that most images of railway signal aspects (on Wikipedia and elsewhere) use pure green (hex value 00FF00), which is not particularly accurate depiction of the colour actually used in the signal lenses. For one, it looks too yellowish and is often difficult to distinguish from that color, particularly when the images are small. It's probably unnecessary to make the hue exact (particularly with the numerous national variations that would have to be catered for), but a bit more accuracy in the hue would be desirable. Sorry if I sound overly pedantic here!

Still one more question is whether the distant signal page (as well as its home signal counterpart) ought to even delve into the national variations or whether they should simply lay out the fundamental concepts (which are largely the same the world 'round) and then refer the reader to other Wikipedia pages (some of which do not yet exist) on the specific national or regional applications. This might be a long-term goal, once more of those pages exist. Thoughts? -- JonRoma 18:44, 16 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, you should adjust the hues, and do the other things.

Tabletop 00:28, 5 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Another case of "Do we need this?"

As with home signal, this simply seems to duplicate information from other railway signalling articles. Mangoe 00:12, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]