Danish Signaling, Turnout and Derail Signals

Aspects and indications, older signal types

This page describes signal types not being standard after 1935:
Disc Signals
Semaphore Signals
Mechanical Symbol Signals

Disc Signals

A disc signal has the same appearance to both directions of travel.

Although officially retired by 1958, disc signals could be found at private secondary lines until around 1970.

"Turnout Set for Straight Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til lige Spor")

1903-1935: no. 29a;
1935-1944: no. 108;
1944-1958: no. 208.

The turnout is set for the straight (non-diverging) track.

"Turnout Set for Diverging Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til afvigende Spor")

1903-1935: no. 30a;
1935-1944: no. 109;
1944-1958: no. 209.

The turnout is set for the diverging track.

Blue light indicated a catch turnout in derailing/protecting position. This version of the signal was retired no later than 1935.

Semaphore Signals

For movements against a facing turnout, the arm points to the right as shown in the pictures below. For the opposite direction of travel, the arm points to the left.

"Turnout Set for Straight Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til lige Spor")

1903-1935: no. 26;
1935-1944: no. 110;
1944-1953: no. 210.

The turnout is set for the straight (non-diverging) track.

"Turnout Set for Diverging Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til afvigende Spor")

1903-1935: no. 27;
1935-1944: no. 111;
1944-1958: no. 211.

The turnout is set for the diverging track.

Blue light indicated a catch turnout in derailing/protecting position. This version of the signal was retired no later than 1935.

"Turnout not Set" (Danish: "Sporskiftets Stilling er usikker")

1903-1935: no. 28;
1935-1944: no. 112;
1944-1958: no. 212.

The turnout is not set. If the arm points to the right: Stop.

"Turnout Set for Right Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til højre Spor")

1916-1935: no. 112.

2-position ferry turnout: The turnout is set for the right track (as viewed from the ferry).

"Turnout Set for Left Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til venstre Spor")

1916-1935: no. 113.

2-position ferry turnout: The turnout is set for the left track (as viewed from the ferry).

"Turnout not Set" (Danish: "Sporskiftets Stilling er usikker")

1916-1935: no. 114.

The turnout is not set.

Mechanical Symbol Signals

"Turnout Set for Straight Track" (Danish: "Sporskiftet stillet til lige Spor")

1903-1935: no. 29b.

The turnout is set for the straight (non-diverging) track. The signal has the same appearance to both directions of travel.

1935, this signal was continued as no. 20.

1913-1935: no. 29b;
1935-1944: no. 107;
1944-1958: no. 207.

The signal indicates
- a facing catch turnout in derailing/protecting position, or
- a trailing catch turnout in derailing/protecting position, or
- a derail in derailing position.

This signal was not used for facing turnouts in main tracks.

1935, this signal was named Track inaccessible (danish: Sporet spærret) and was gradually replaced by no. 24.

"Facing Turnout Set for Diverging Track" (Danish: "Modgående Sporskifte stillet til afvigende Spor")

1903-1935: no. 30b;
1935-1944: no. 105;
1944-1958: no. 205.

The facing turnout is set for the diverging track as indicated by the arrow.

After 1935, this signal was gradually replaced by no. 21.

1903-1935: no. 30b.

1903-1913: The facing catch turnout is in derailing/protecting position, diverging as indicated.

1913-1935: The facing catch turnout of a main track is in derailing/protecting position, diverging as indicated.

1935, this signal was replaced by no. 23.

"Trailing Turnout Set for Diverging Track" (Danish: "Medgående Sporskifte stillet til afvigende Spor")

1903-1935: no. 30b;
1935-1944: no. 106;
1944-1958: no. 206.

The trailing turnout is set for the diverging track. Further, the turnout number is indicated.

After 1935, this signal was gradually replaced by no. 22a-b.

1903-1935: no. 30b.

The trailing catch turnout of a main track is in derailing/protecting position. Further, the turnout number is indicated.

1935, this signal was replaced by no. 20 or no. 22a as appropriate.

"Track Inaccessible" (Danish: "Sporet spærret")

1919-1923: no. 130;
1923-1935: no. 29e.

The track behind the signal is inaccesible because of a barring device in barring position.

The signal was also used to indicate unmovable buffer-stops.

1935, this signal was continued as no. 24.

"Track Accessible" (Danish: "Sporet frit")

1919-1923: no. 131;
1923-1935: no. 30e.

The track behind the signal is accessible.

1935, this signal was continued as Turnout Set for Straight Track, no. 20.