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Signal descriptions  Signals for shunting

Other signals for stations and stops

Signals for turnouts

• Turnout signals
• Switch weight
• Fouling point markers (Grenzmarken)
• Points control signal
• Stern & Hafferl: Supervision signals for trailable turnouts

Turnout signals

				§ 21 (1) Standard and wye turnouts, as seen from points.
				§ 21 (1) Standard turnouts, as seen from frog.
				§ 21 (2) Wye turnouts, as seen from frog.
				§ 21 (3) Double slip-switches.

Switch weight

Mechanical points have switch weights. They can carry the following indications:

	The switch weight is painted black and white. The black side showing to the ground indicates that the turnout is in its normal position (»dirt shows to dirt«)
	Turnouts which don't have a normal position have gray painted switch weights. Such turnouts occur very rarely.
	The letter »A« indicates that this switch may be operated by persons who are otherwise not allowed to operate switches (this does not mean by everyone!), for instance the staff of a company on their private loading track.
	Switch without locking device. It must be secured when passed facing (either by manually pressing down the switch weight or by attaching a so-called »Zungenfestleger«. Can only be found on very old turnouts in secondary tracks or on narrow gauge railways.

Fouling point markers (Grenzmarken)

The fouling point is the spot on converging tracks (turnouts, turntables) up to which vehicles on one track will not come into contact with vehicles on the other track. These spots are inidcated by fouling point markers (Grenzmarken).

On standard gauge railways a minimum track distance of 3.5 m had been adequate in the past. New protection of labour law is demanding a free space of at least 0.5 m between vehicles on converging tracks. Thus the minimum track distance is now 3.9 m.

Those fouling point markers which do not (yet) guarantee this new minimum track distance are marked with a red stripe in the middle (so-called »marked« fouling point markers).

	Fouling point marker (Grenzmarke) § 36 (31)
	»Marked« fouling point marker (markierte Grenzmarke) (not part of DV V2, 1996)
	Fouling point marker (Grenzmarke) § 36 (33) Half fouling point marker
	Fouling point marker for shunting (Verschub-Grenzmarke) § 36 (34)
	Fouling point marker for standard gauge vehicles on wagon carrier trucks DV V7 § 6 (2)

Layout examples according old rule (minimum track distance 3.5 m)

The arrow marks the spot where the distance between the tracks is 3.5 m.

Standard arrangement.

Isolated rails

	Fouling point marker shifted to the end of the isolated rails (marked red). Additional fouling point marker for shunting.
	Different position of isolated rails with divided fouling point marker.

Narrow gauge railways

Black fouling point marker for narrow gauge vehicles, red marker for standard gauge wagons.

Layout examples according new rule (minimum track distance 3.9 m)

Points control signal

		Points control signal - light signal (Weichenüberwachungssignal - Lichtsignal) § 21 (4) This signal is located at the trapezoid board of stations with trailable points. If the blue (actualy almost green) light doesn't light up the trailable points are not in a defined position and must not be passed facing.
		Points control signal - mechanical signal (Weichenüberwachungssignal - Formsignal) § 21 (6) This signal is used for normal points (not trailable points!). It is only used when the switch is defective. It has then to be locked which is sometimes done by the engine driver. After the switch is locked this signal will appear (it works like a butterfly) and shows the next engine driver that the switch is locked in a defined position.

Stern & Hafferl: Supervision signals for trailable turnouts

This signal is situated in a considerable distance in rear of the first turnout. An additional dwarf signal (for shunting movements) may be placed near the turnout signal.

		The white light indicates, that the turnout may be passed facing.

(Last Update: 09.03.2003)

Signal descriptions  Signals for shunting

Other signals for stations and stops