Signal descriptions  Main and distant signals

Substitution and caution signal

Protection and obstruction signals

• Protection signal (Schutzsignal)
• Halt board (Haltscheibe)
• Obstruction signal (Sperrsignal)
• Examples for use of protection signals

These signals are all valid for both trains and shunting movements.

Protection signal (Schutzsignal)

Protection signals are used to control trains and shunting movements. See Examples below for possible utilizations.

old	new
		Stop (Fahrverbot) § 11 (1)
		Clear (Fahrverbot aufgehoben) § 11 (2) Valid for trains and shunting movements.

New type built after 1980; old type sometimes used in new installations when there is lack of space)

Halt board (Haltscheibe)

Halt boards are mainly used to mark closed or impassable tracks or track sections.

	Halt board (Haltscheibe) § 36 (1)

Obstruction signal (Sperrsignal)

Track obstruction signals are used ...

• to mark buffer stops or gates across the tracks
• to show the status of derailers
• to show if a weigh-bridge or a turntable is passable.

On turntables also protection signals are used.

fixed	adjustable
		Proceed forbidden (Weiterfahrt verboten) § 15 (1)
		Proceed admitted (Weiterfahrt erlaubt) § 15 (2)

Examples for use of protection signals

Example 1: Dividing a station track into sections

This allows for example to place two trains one behind the other on a single track.

Normal position

Note that the backboard of the distant signal »r« (on »A/r«) has a white border. This indicates that the next signal can (but not must) be a protection signal.

Normal entry

Entry into an occupied track

Depending on the distance between the entry signal »A/r« and the protection signal »Sch 301« there is a speed restriction applied (even if there is no diverging route set). In this example 30 km/h.

Example 2: Complementation of group signals

A group signal is an exit signal which is valid for more than one track. In this case additional protection signals are provided at each track. Such layout is for example found in yards.

Note that the signals »Sch 203« and »Sch 205« are combined with (fixed) speed indicators.

(Last Update: 17.11.2002)

Signal descriptions  Main and distant signals

Substitution and caution signal