Hand Signals

Before the advent of radios, signals were given by hand or lantern There were innumerable ways to communicate direction, destination, speed, or stop. Most railroads had their own set of distinct signals.A signal given with the hand in a vertical zipper operating motion upon the chest usually designated a mainline movement. Five fingers exposed on the hand, or a small circle with a lantern at night indicated track five,both hands with all fingers held up,or a small double circle, track ten etc. There were signals to fit almost any condition and learning to read them was sometimes an art in itself.