End of Track Signals are special, fixed signals which are located at the end of a stub track. It is placed on a control point with just that one signal with no further track elements on the other side. Such a signal of course can show only “stop”.
EOT signals can be visible or invisible to the dispatcher on the scene diagram. Visible EOT signals are used to clearly mark the end of the line, and can be clicked on as destination of a route. Invisible ones are typically used where a trap point or derail device is used to prevent movements from a siding or secondary line onto the main line down the road. The “derail track” is never intended to hold a train, not even a very short one.
CTC determines by looking at track elements linked beyond the end of the block to determine whether a signal is EOT or not. Visible EOT signals can serve as end points of both route types, regular and switching.
Two EOT signals in staging area