Final answer:
A train operator approaching an interlocking for a diverging route should expect a diverging signal, often a yellow light or equivalent indication, to reduce speed and prepare for a deviation from the main line. The specifics can vary by railway.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a train operator approaches an interlocking where they are scheduled to take a diverging route, the signal displayed should typically be a diverging signal. This signal informs the operator that they must reduce speed and prepare to take a route that deviates from the main line. Each railway may have specific rules and types of signals, but generally, a yellow light or an equivalent indication is used to signal that a diverging route is to be taken. Depending on the complexity of the interlocking and the speed of the diverging route, there may also be additional indications or numbers displayed to provide more information about the diverging route conditions and speed limits.
Understanding these signals is critical for the safe and efficient operation of trains, as interlockings are pivotal points where train paths cross or diverge, requiring precise coordination. Signal aspects and indications vary by country and railway company, so operators must be thoroughly familiar with the signaling system in use.