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Signal descriptions  Foreign signals

Appendix

Appendix: Signalling system M (mechanical signals)

• Main signals (semaphores)
• Main signals (disk signals)
• Distant signals
• Go through signals (Durchfahrsignale)
• Hipp turning disk signals

Mechanical signals survived until today in some stations, but their time has come.

Until 1997 many stations on the Bodensee line (Schaffhausen-Rorschach) were still equipped with mechanical signals. But then the Mittelthurgau-Bahn took over the line and began to build modern electronical interlockings. On the Bischofszeller (Sulgen-Gossau SG) line the station of Arnegg was partly equipped with mechanical signals when I travelled there in 1996. Also in 1996 I discovered the propably last remaining main disk signal, it was the entry signal of Puidoux-Chexbres, coming from Vevey. In the mean time these signals have been replaced by a light signal.

Main signals (semaphores)

The classic mechanical signal is the semaphore signal. In Switzerland signals with up to three arms have been used (three arm signals are not shown here).

Day		Night
				Stop (Halt)
				Clear (Frei)
				Clear with speed restriction (Frei mit Geschwindigkeitsbeschränkung)

Main signals (disk signals)

The drawback of these signals was that they were hard to see when showing ''clear'' and that they could not show ''clear with speed restriction''

Day	Night
		Stop (Halt)
		Clear (Frei)

Distant signals

Day	Night
		Main signal shows stop
		Main signal shows clear (Frei)

Go through signals (Durchfahrsignale)

Go through signals are placed at the entry signals. They look like distant signals but are only set if the exit signal shows ''clear'' and there are only switches in straight position to pass. In all other cases the go-through-signal remains in the warning position.

Day		Night
				Normal position
				Exit signal shows stop or route leads over switches in curved position
				Go through with maximum speed

Hipp turning disk signals

Although these signals seem to be very poular, I don't know very much about them. I'm even not quite sure if the pictures I show here are correct.

On Christoph Ozdoba's page you will find additional information.

Distant signal

Day	Night
		Warning
		Main signal shows clear

Main signal

Day	Night
		Stop
		Clear

(Last Update: 17.11.2002)

Signal descriptions  Foreign signals

Appendix