Danish Signaling, Semaphore Signal Summary
Main Signals of Private Lines
Introduction
Entry Signal Aspects and Indications 1903-1936
Entry Signal Aspects and Indications 1936-
Exit Signal Aspects and Indications 1936-
Rear View of Main Signals
Multiple Entry Signals
Introduction
Originally, the "private lines" (local secondary lines with low-speed
traffic) used simplified rules and virtually no interlockings. Even
though the Danish State Railways introduced a new unified signalling
concept in 1903, many private lines kept using pre-1903 3-aspect
signals for decades.
The signals were used as entry
signals controlling traffic into, or through, stations,
junctions, spurs etc. (departure would be controlled by hand signals).
The most common type had one arm for each direction of traffic,
on a common mast and often with a common lamp. As necessary, separate
masts with one arm each could be used instead. For terminals, this
version was always used.
The signal would usually be located at the platform so as to be visible
by trains approaching from both directions. The "stop" aspect was to be
interpreted as stopping before the station
limit - this would typically be 100-200 m ahead of the signal.
During the 1920s, the private lines began adapting to the signal
concepts of Danish State Railways (although not implementing the rather
expensive rule of locating entry signals at the station limits).
In 1936, a unified rulebook for all private lines was introduced -
similar, but not identical, to the DSB rulebook of 1935.
Signals were now generally 2-aspect - entry signals with 2 arms being
used when 3 aspects were required. An auxilliary aspect "signal not in
use" was introduced to support more flexible traffic rules.
The 1936 rulebook also introduced distant
signals (similar to the DSB type)
and exit signals (identical
to entry signals with one arm). These signal types were rarely used by
the private lines. Below is an example of a combined entry and exit
signal (Præstø): The higher arm is the entry signal, and
the lower arm is the
exit signal for the opposite direction of traffic.
During the 1960s, private lines were either closed or upgraded with
relay interlockings and light signals. The new rulebook of 1975 still
included the basic semaphore signal aspects, but except for a few
museum lines, semaphores have not been in use since the mid-1970s.
The aspects shown in this section are examples of the pre-1936 style
signals - many colour and shape variations existed.
The signals were gradually converted into unified style, probably much
earlier than 1936.
"Stop (before station limit)" (Danish: "Stop (Hold udenfor)")
Stop before station limit.
From the 1920s, the station limit would be marked by a white square sign. The sign was
used also if the signal was located at the station limit.
"Proceed" (Danish: "Kør frem")
Proceed on Entry Route at prescribed speed. Stop at the station.
"Proceed Through" (Danish: "Kør Igennem")
Proceed through station at prescribed speed.
The rightmost aspect is not explicitly mentioned by the known
pre-1936 rulebooks, but supported by photographic evidence. It was
probably used when the station was unmanned (refer to explanation of
the similar DSB-concept).
The aspects shown in this section are examples of the unified style
signals - many colour and shape variations existed.
No. 1 "Stop (before station limit)" (Danish: "Stop (Hold udenfor)")
Stop before station limit.
No. 2 "Proceed" (Danish: "Kør")
Proceed on Entry Route at prescribed speed. Stop at the station.
No. 3 "Proceed Through" (Danish: "Kør Igennem")
Proceed through station at prescribed speed.
The auxilliary hand signal would be given from the platform if the
station was equipped with interlocking. Otherwise, the hand signal
would be given from the location of the first facing turnout.
"Signal not in use" (Danish: "Signalet ude af funktion")
The station does not take part in the dispatching of trains.
Turnouts
are locked for the main track.
Entry signals with two arms were probably never equipped for this
aspect.
The aspects shown in this section are examples of the unified style
signals.
No. 1 "Stop (no departure)" (Danish: "Stop (Udkørsel
forbudt)")
Departure not permitted.
No. 2 "Proceed" (Danish: "Kør")
Departure permitted.
If the station had access to more than one line in the same direction,
there would be an exit signal for each line.
"Signal not in use" (Danish: "Signalet ude af funktion")
The station does not take part in the dispatching of trains.
Turnouts
are locked for the main track.
The rulebook permitted this aspect for exit signals, but it is not
known whether it was actually used.
Entry signals with arm(s) for one traffic direction only, would
usually be equipped with colour filters for rear view.
Refer to illustration in the Main Signal
section.
A junction would have 2 entry signals per track, each signal
corresponding to a specific route destination through the junction.
Refer to illustration in the Main
Signal section and Erik V Pedersen's pictures from Ryaa,
the last junction in operation (until 1963).
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Copyright © 2005 Henrik W Karlsson
