Danish Signaling, Indicators

Aspects and indications

Updated 000111

Route Direction Indicator

Route Direction Indicators were found on certain entry signals 1935-1953 to provide information as to whether the entry route was diverging or not, thereby giving an indirect speed indication.

In 1953 these indicators were converted to Symbol Speed Indicators.

"Non-diverging entry route" (Danish: "Togvejen stillet til lige spor")

The entry route is set for a non-diverging track; proceed at prescribed speed for this route. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

"Diverging entry route" (Danish: "Togvejen stillet til krumt spor")

The entry route is set for a diverging track; proceed at prescribed speed for this route. The route diverges to the left or to the right as indicated. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

Route Destination Indicator

Route Destination Indicators are found on most platform exit signals, exit route signals etc. which control access to more than one line. The destination of the exit route is indicated by a letter, abbreviating the name of the next station, or the name of the line. A Route Destination Indicator does not provide any speed information.

Route Destination Indicators come in 2 different "theatre" types, the smaller being the most common today. On secondary lines is sometimes used a simpler type (essentially a road traffic 2-aspect signal).

Route Destination Indicators are fitted with lamps as necessary. The examples below show types with 2 different letters.

"Exit route set for destination..." (Danish: "Udkørselstogvejen indstillet mod...")

The exit route is set for the line indicated. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying main or route signal shows a "proceed" (or similar) aspect.

Track Number Indicator

Track Number Indicators were found on certain entry route signals. The destination of the entry route was indicated by a track number.

Track Number Indicators were retired 1971 together with the remaining entry route signals.

Track Number Indicators were fitted with lamps as necessary. The example below shows a type with 5 different digits.

"Entry route set for track no..." (Danish: "Indkørselstogvejen indstillet til spor...")

The entry route is set for the track indicated. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry route signal shows the aspect "route set".

Information Signal

The Information Signal is essentially a Route Direction Indicator and is found on a few entry signals (refer to entry signal description). However, the Information Signal does not provide any speed information.

"Route set for destination..." (Danish: "Togvejen indstillet mod...")

The route is set for the direction indicated. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" (or similar) aspect.

Symbol Speed Indicator

A direct descendant of the Route Direction Indicator, the Symbol Speed Indicator provides speed information through a number of symbols that either represent a specific speed limit, or a speed limit range. Except for the "high speed" aspect being the same as the previous "non-diverging entry route" aspect, the symbols do not present any "logic".

Since 1953 Symbol Speed Indicators are found on most entry signals and entry block signals (refer to entry signal description).

Symbol Speed Indicators are fitted with lamps as necessary.

"High speed" (Danish: "Høj hastighed")

Proceed at prescribed speed, 75 km/h (45 mph) or more. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

"Medium speed" (Danish: "Middelstor hastighed")

Until 1974: Proceed at 50 km/h (30 mph). After 1974: Proceed at 60 km/h (40 mph). The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

"Low speed" (Danish: "Lav hastighed")

Until 1974: Proceed at 30 km/h (20 mph). After 1974: Proceed at prescribed speed, 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

"Entry route without overlap" (Danish: "Togvej uden sikkerhedsafstand")

Until 1982: Proceed at 30 km/h (20 mph). After 1982: Proceed at prescribed speed, 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. The route has no overlap, and may be significantly shorter than other entry routes from this signal.

The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect. However, it may also be used for the "stop and proceed" aspect (refer to entry signal description).

"Clear to Entry Block Signal" (Danish: "Frit til SI-signalet")

Proceed at prescribed speed, 75 km/h (45 mph) or more. The route is set for a following entry block signal which permits 60 km/h (40 mph) or less (refer to entry signal description).

Numeric Speed Indicator

Since 1988 Numeric Speed Indicators can be found at certain platform exit signals that control access to multiple track lines with bidirectional signaling. Two types have been in use: 7-segment digits (lamps) and genuine digits (fiber-optics). With the introduction of full cab signalling, these indicators are being retired.

Numeric Speed Indicators are equipped with digits as necessary.

"Permitted speed is..." (Danish: "Tilladt hastighed er...")

Proceed at speed indicated by adding a '0'. E.g. '6' indicates 60 km/h (40 mph). The aspect is valid only when the accompanying main signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

'X' Indicator

This is a special version of the Symbol Speed Indicator used in two distinct cases where there is only need for the aspect "entry route without overlap".

1) On private lines following a simple set of rules, the main signal by itself provides sufficient speed indication, except for the aspect "entry route without overlap". In this case, the 'X'-indicator - if necessary - is situated below the main signal.

2) On certain lines equipped for full cab signalling, detailed speed indication from the signals is considered unnecessary, except for the aspect "entry route without overlap". In this case, the 'X'-indicator - if necessary - is situated above the main signal, and uses yellow light to avoid confusion with ordinary Symbol Speed Indicators.

Version 2 was used experimentally in 1998, but has not entered regular service, as ordinary speed indicators have been preferred.

"Entry route without overlap" (Danish: "Togvej uden sikkerhedsafstand")

Case 1 Case 2

Proceed at prescribed speed, 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. The route has no overlap, and may be significantly shorter than other entry routes from this signal. The aspect is valid only when the accompanying entry signal shows a "proceed" aspect.

Route Displays

In certain stations can still be found stand-alone route displays with letters or numbers, providing general information/warning to the staff about approaching trains. Such displays are not considered proper signals, but are mentioned here for completeness.

Route Displays have an appearance similar to Route Destination Indicators and Track Number Indicators.

"Train approaching from line..." (Danish: "Tog ventes fra...")

"Train approaching track no..." (Danish: "Tog ventes i spor...")

Peculiarities

Older designs

The original route destination and track number indicators of the 1920s were mechanical, consisting of a box with 2 or more signs, of which one was turned visible at a time. By night, the sign was illuminated by a lamp placed in front of the sign.

Little is known of this kind of indicators. From the rulebooks can be deduced that they were retired no later than 1953.

Around 1935, types based on linear incadescent lamps were introduced. The symbols/letters were placed next to each other, and hence the types were probably limited to 2 symbols/letters.

Only few letters were suitable for the linear lamps. The type was never used for symbol speed indicators, and probably never used for track number indicators.

The introduction 1941 of the "theatre" type indicators provided much improved flexibility, but some "linear" route destination indicators remained in service until around 1960.

[Back] [Home] [Comments]