Signals

This page describes the representation of signals on the panel, their meaning and appearances as well as the control actions in relation with the signals. Fundemental information related to signals is available in the articles Basics and Routes. So if terms on this page are not explained, the explanation is likely to be in these articles.

There are a variety of signals on the panel. Almost always, signals are located on a track.

Main signal with a distant signal

This is a main signal with a distant signal. Notice the button with the red dot – this button operates the main signal. Buttons with red dots define Train Routes.

Shunt signal

The smaller signal with the gray button is a shunt signal. Gray buttons are used to set Shunt Routes.

Combined signal

When a tile contains both a main signal and shunt signal, the signal is said to be a combined signal. In this case, it has two buttons, a main signal button (red dot), and shunt signal button (grey). This is usually an exit signal.

Distant signal

A detached distant signal is shown at right. It provides a preview of what the next main signal aspect is showing.

Indications main signals

Main signal showing “stop” aspect

When a main signal is showing a “stop” aspect, the corresponding signal on the panel shows a red light.

Main signal showing “proceed” aspect

When the signal is showing a “proceed” aspect, the signal on the panel shows a green light.

Main signal lock indication

If a route is set and locked, the square white light becomes lit. This is the route lock indication for the signal, and simply means that the train route has been fully set from that signal.

Locking signals

Like switches, signals may be manually locked also. Locking and unlocking is done using the LsSpt (Switch Lock) and LsESpT (Switch Unlock) buttons.

To lock a signal, press the LsSpt button together with the signal button.

When a signal is locked, it is put to stop immediately.

Putting a signal to stop

To simply put a signal to stop, use the HaGT together with the signal button.

It does nothing more than change the signal aspect to “stop”.

Signal Panel Tiles

This section discusses the panel tiles representing signals, in the various forms they can be present in the simulation. Sometimes you will encounter slightly different representations, which however, should be covered as well with the information given here. The buttons and lights are each named clockwise starting in upper left corner. Indicators which are already described above will not be explained again.

Main signal with Distant signal

In general, main signals have the following indicators and buttons on the panel: 'Auxillary signal activated' indicator, 'route set' indicator, train route button, 'Proceed' indicator, 'Stop' indicator, signal locked indicator. (Exceptions below)

Single distant signals can show two green indicators (for aspect Vr 1 or Vr 2) or two yellow indicators (aspect Vr 0). A distant signal can be mounted on the main signal's post.

Some of the main signals displayed on panel do not belong to your own dispatching area, but are controlled by the neighbouring signal box. for those signals you will only have 'Proceed' and 'Stop' indicators

Main signal
Distant signal
Main signal and distant signal
Signal in Neighbouring dispatching area

Shunt signals

Shunt signals have a gray signal button, Stop indicator, Sh-1 indicator and a Signal Locked indicator. A shunt signal will also have a round Overlap route indicator (D-Weg melder) next to it, can be the end of a train route. If the shunt signal can be the begin of a train route, it will also have the square Route Locked indicator. The latter two options can also be combined, as in the image.

normales Sperrsignal
Sperrsignal mit Festlege- und D-Weg-Melder

Combined main- and shunt signals

There are also main signals, which can show the Shunt aspect Sh 1 beside the normal 'Proceed' aspects (Hp 1 and Hp 2). These kind of signals have both a grey-red Train route button and a grey Shunt route button. The signal in the image additionally has a Overlap Route indicator (underneath the Shunt Route button) as well as a Kennlichtmelder (between the Sh 1- and the Stop indicator).

Combined main-/shuntsignal

Automatic Block Signals

Automatic block signals can be recognized by the fact that the foot of the signal's symbol is connected to the track by a black line. Block signals in the central block have a 'Route set' indicator, which are not present for the automatic block signals. The two signals shown in the images both have a Subsidiary Signal indicator which is shown in the signal's post.

Block signal in Zentralblock
Block signal in Selbstblock

Fleeting signals (Selbststellbetrieb)

There are three variants for fleeting signals: either with 'D' (automatic) and 'O' (controlled by dispatcher) indicators, 'SB' (Selbstbetrieb = fleeting) or an indicator with its signal number in a green Group-Button-Block on the panel.

D and O indicator
SB indicator
Indicator in Group-Button-Block

Cover signals (Zugdeckungssignale)

In some stations there are so-called Zugdeckungssignale (cover signals) which divide a platform in several (track) sections. They have a 'route set' indicator, a train route button, a Kennlicht' indicator as well as a 'Stop' indicator. Cover signals can also be installed for both directions.

Cover signal for one direction
Cover signal for two directions

Signal Zs 6

In some stations or branches you will find Zs 6-signals , which are not installed on a main signal's post, but are free standing. These have no signal button and light up automatically when a route is set towards the opposite track (wrong line operation).

stand alone 'Zs 6'-Signal

Halbregelabstandsankündigungssignal (Half-Distance-Rule Announcement Signal)

A signal with this somewhat strange designation is a main signal that can not show Stop (Hp 0). Therefor it does not have a signal button either. It only has a Proceed indicator and a Kennlicht indicator. The distant signal, which is located on the same mast, also has an additional indicator. This shows white light on the distant signal, which is to indicate the distant signal is just a repeater of at short braking distance from the next main signal.

Half-Distance-Rule Announcement Signal

Meaning of the indications

Stop indicator

The red 'Stop' indicator is lit, when the signal is showing the 'Stop' aspect. If no other indicator (i.e. auxillary signal) is lit, no train is allowed to pass the signal. The 'Stop' indicator will flash in the event of a signal fault or defect (see below).

Proceed indicator

The green 'Proceed' indicator is lit, when the signals is shwoing a 'Proceed' aspect. A train movement can take place. Whether signal aspect Hp 1 or Hp 2 is shown, can not be seen on the panel, but this is also irrelevant for the dispatcher and irrelevant. Any additional signals at the main signal's post (eg Zs 2, Zs 3, Zs 6) are not shown on the panel. The interlocking circuits however make sure that the signal can only show the Proceed' aspect once all the additional signals are activated and function correctly. Therefore, it is assumed that everything is fine when the 'route set' indicator lits.

A flashing 'Proceed' indicator is shown in the event of a signal fault or defect (see below).

Sh 1-Indicator

The Sh 1 indicator, a diagonal white bar, is lit when the signal is showing the Sh 1 aspect. A shunt movement may then take place from this signal. Main signals will keep showing the Stop aspect, menaing that a train movement from here is not allowed.

Kennlicht-indicator

You will see a yellow 'Kennlichtmelder' in case a signal can show the so-called 'Kennlicht'. 'Kennlicht' means that the signal along the track has no meaning, as if it is not even existing. It is the normal aspect being shown for cover signals. Additionall, Kennlicht is used for the so-called Half-Distance Rule (Halbregelabstand) as well as for long-/short entrance/exit train routes. More information on when and where 'Kennlicht' is applied can be found in the article Dispatching in Köln.

Distant signal indications

A distant signal you will see either two yellow (Vr 0, expect Stop) or two green lights(Vr 1 or Vr 2, expect Proceed aspect) indicator lights. Distant signals which, depending on the situation (i.e. not permanent), are used as a distant signal repeater or are located at short braking distance from the corresponding main signal, also have a yellow indicator that lights accordingly. Distant signals, which are attached to the mast of a main signal remain dark if this main signal shows the Stop ascpect; this also applies to the indicators on the panel.

Route Locked indicator

The square Route Locked indicator lights white, wenn a train route starting from the signal has been set and locked. Its lighting is one of the necessary conditions to get a main signal showing the Proceed aspect. As soon as the indicator lights up, a set route can only be revoked using the Revoke Train Route Button (FHT).

Overlap route indicator (D-Weg-Melder)

Exit signals and other main signals (sometimes even shunt signals) in the station have a Overlap route indicator (D-Weg Melder). This indicator is round and lights up when a route is set towards such a signal. It indicates that the Overlap route behind the signal has been set and fixed. As soon as the train route towards the signal has been completely dissolved, the indicator will start blinking for a certain time. After that, the overlap route will be released automatically. See also: Revoke Shunt Route Button (FRT) and Revoke Overlap Shunt Route Button (DRGT).

Subsidiary signal indicator (Ersatzsignalmelder)

The Subsidiary signal indicator is shown as a yellow triangle, surrounded with a black circle. It will be lit steady when auxillary aspect Zs 1 or Zs 7 is shown(see Show Subsidiary Signal Button), and will be flashing in case auxillary aspect Zs 6 is shown (see Show Subsidiary Signal to Wrong Line Group Button).

Signal locked indicator (Sperrmelder)

At the foot of each signal, being part of your own control area, there is a round, yellow 'signal locked' indicator. It will be lit when the signal has been locked (using the Lock Signal Button or Block Disable Button, and therefor can not be set to 'Proceed'.

Fleeting (Selbststellbetrieb)

There are several variants of indicators to show whether a signal has fleeting enabled (SB) or not:

two indicators D and O: D lights up when SB is on, and blinks when the SB tries to set a route; O lights up when SB is off
one indicator SB: lights up when SB is on, and blinks when the SB tries to set a route. It is unlit when SB is off.
a indicator with its signal number in a green Groupbuttonblock on the panel: functionwise the same as the SB-indicator, it's just not located near the signal itself.

Operating Signals

Signals should normally not be operated individually. They are operated automatically when setting routes. Nevertheless, if necessary, there are some things you can do with signals:

a signal can be put to Stop (using the Stop Signal Button)
set a block signal to 'Proceed' or set a cover signal in the state Kennlicht (using the Activate Signal Button).
lock a signal, so that it can not be set to 'Proceed' (using the Lock Signal Button or the Block Disable Button).
to switch on the Subsidiary signal, in the event the signal is in error or when a train route can not be set (using the Show Subsidiary Signal Button)
to switch on the 'Wrong Line Operation' signal (Zs 6), when signalled wrong line operation is to take place (using the Show Subsidiary Signal to Wrong Line Group Button)
to switch on or off a signal's self-control mode (using the Activate Fleeting Button or Deactivate Fleeting Button).

Anomalies and defects with signals

Anomalies and defects with signals may endanger the railway operations. Therefore, there are some technical measures in place to ensure that an irregularity will not affect the safety:

If an auxiliary signal (i.e. Zs 3) at signal post is defective, the main signal will drop to Stop automatically, so that the train driver does not drive faster than he would be allowed to.
If the red lamp of a signal is broken, a substitute lamp ("Ersatzrot") will be activated automatically.

A distinction between anomalies (requires no operational measures: signal can still be operated, such as defective Red light bulb, but "Ersatzrot" lights, or a Zs display partially defective, but still recognizable) and defects (operational measures required, such as signal completely dark). Signs at the signal's mast show the driver, what he has to do in case of a defective signal. On the meaning of the different signs on the mast, please refer to the Signalbook DB website.

On the panel anomalies and defects with signals become apparent by a blinking or extinguished Stop- or Proceed indicator, or that the signal is no longer working properly (eg no Proceed aspect, although all conditions are met). In case of a malfunctioning signal a red alarm indication in the red Group Button block will start flashing, and a horn will sound. The horn can be silenced with the Buzzer interruption button (HuT). The alarm indicator will keep blinking, until all anomalies and defects with signals are resolved.

Buzzer interruption button and signal defect indicator

The following measures can be taken in case of for anomalies and defects:

The subsidiary signal this can be activated (if available at the main signal). But prior to doing that, you must ensure that the route is set correctly and completely secure! The train driver will then pass the disturbed signal. The speed depends on the type of signal (Block-/Home-/Exit signal).
Shunt signals or main signals without subsidiary signal can only be passed, after you have submitted a written order to the driver.
You can call the signal technician. He will fix the defect.

Anomalies with fleeting signals (Selbststellbetrieb)

Fleeting signal can also have anomalies or defects. In that case an (annoying) buzzer will sound and the signal's Fleeting enabled indicator (SB) will flash. This can happen when:

the signal can not fleet, as such that the route can not be set because of a conflict with a route that has been set earlier;
a train has a steering number, that can not be handled by the fleeting signal, and thus can not set a route;
a technical problem exists.

The first thing to try, is to set the route manually. If that does not work, then switch of the fleeting and try again later. Does this not work either, then the only remaining options is lock a route manually and applying the subsidiary signal or a issueing a written order.

Important: do not forget to enable fleeting again after resolving the anomalies!