German Railway Signalling

HOME SIGNAL/DISTANT SIGNAL (H/V)

The most common system is the H/V (Hauptsignal/Vorsignal) system which consists of Home Signal s and Distant Signal s. Depending on the technology used in the Signal Box , these signals may be indicated by semaphores or light signals. The light signals show the same light patterns the semaphores show at night.

Hp 0: Stop

A home signal shows Hp 0 by a horizontal arm of the semaphore signal or oner red light or two horizontal red lights. The signal requires the driver to stop in front of the signal.

Usually, Hp 0 is protected by a 2000 Hz magnet of the PZB train safety system which triggers the emergency brake, should the train pass the signal.

Vr 0: Expect stop

A distant signal shows Vr 0 by a yellow disc or two yellow lights (the right light is above the left light). This signal indicates that its home signal shows Hp 0. As the signal is placed at braking distance from the home signal, the driver needs to apply the brakes immediately to stop the train before reaching the home signal.

Vr 0 is usually accompanied by a 1000 Hz magnet of the PZB train safety system which first triggers an accustic signal that must be acknowledged by the driver and then supervises the braking. If at any point the system detects that the train may not stop in time, it triggers the emergency brake.

Hp 1: Proceed

Signal Hp 1, indicated by the raised arm of the semaphore or a green light, allows the driver to proceed at the speed indicated in his schedule.

Vr 1: Expect proceed

Vr 1 indicates that the home signal shows Hp 1. On a semaphore, the yellow disc is turned horizontal, while light signals show two green lights with the right one above the left one.

Hp 2: Proceed at reduced speed

If both arms of the semaphore point up, or a green light is show vertically above a yellow light, the train may proceed at reduced speed. Unless another speed is indicated by additional signals, the train must obey a speed limit of 40 km/h. Hp 2 usually indicates that the next block is free, but that some switches are turned in a way that does not allow passing them at full speed.

Vr 2: Expect proceed at reduced speed

Vr 2 orders the driver to slow the train to 40 km/h prior to reaching the home signal showing Hp 2. Other speed limits may be indicated by additional signals.

Additional signals

A number of additional signals provide additional information to the driver or modify the meaning of other signals.

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German Railway Signalling