[Photo: level crossing with signals]
[Photo: signal with bell]
The signal is activated when a route is set in one of the crossing tracks, irrespective of a train approaching or not. Some installations also activate the signal when no route is set, but a shunting movement is near the level crossing.
[Examples]
The illuminated signal is only a warning; it does not prohibit crossing of the tracks. Some installations with automatic route setting leave the signals permanently activated most of the time.
The conversion from steady white to flashing yellow lasted several years.
One installation of steady-light signals remained in service until 1998.
The Repeater Signal (Danish: Repetérlys) is a colour-light signal mounted above the track in locations with view obstructions. The signal is visible in one direction along the track and indicates whether a route is set in one or the other direction. The signal is dark when no routes are set.
[Photo]
Signals of this kind have not been in service since 1998.
The Route Display (Danish: Tableau) is a letter- or digit-indicator mounted near the tracks to be visible from a large area of a station. Smaller signal-like versions to be visible along a platform have also been used. The signal is illuminated when a route is set for an approaching train in the track indicated.
[Photo]
This signal aspect is similar to the departure light signal, and provides the same information.
A Departure Hand Signal (danish: signalstok) is used by the signalman-in-charge to indicate departure permission to the driver on the few remaining stations without exit signals when these are staffed.
A Departure Light Signal (danish: lys-afgangssignal) is situated next to a station track and has 2 lanterns as to be visible in both directions along the track. Since 1975, the signal is generally for staff information only and is found at very few installations today. At one installation the signal still acts as departure permission to the driver due to lack of proper platform exit signals.
[Photo]
[Examples]
An Unmanned Station Signal (danish: stationen ubetjent) - also known as the "X-mas Tree" (danish: "juletræ") - is situated next to a station through track and has 6 lanterns as to be visible in both directions along the track. The signal is only found at stations without exit signals and is quite rare nowadays. The signal acts as departure permission to the driver.
[Photo]
Refer to the pre-1975 section for a discussion of the origin of these signals.
An exit route is set from the track; departure is permitted.
An exit route is set from the track; departure is permitted.
The station is "unmanned" (i.e. sidings are inaccessible, and signals are permanently cleared). The train may depart without further permission.
When the signal is dark, the train may only depart when receiving signal 13.1 "Departure".
Refer to description of stations
without exit signals for a discussion of the "unmanned station" concept.
A Passenger Signal (Danish: passagersignal) is situated on a platform and has 2 lanterns as to be visible in both directions along the track. The signal is activated by a public push-button and informs the driver to stop at the platform to pick up passengers. The signal is found at private secondary lines only.
[Photo]
A train scheduled to stop "as necessary" shall stop at the platform
to pick up passengers.
The signals are becoming rare, as newer installations tend to be equipped with simple red/green road traffic signals instead.
[Photo]
The signal has 5 yellow lanterns and an optional red lantern.
Gate is closed.
Gate is open, proceed as authorized by radio or equiv.
Gate is open, head of train is inside building, proceed with caution as authorized by radio or equiv.
Stop immediately.
This signal will appear only if an emergency stop button in the building
has been pressed.
For many years the instructions have been given by radio instead, and the signals were officially retired 1997.
[Examples]
Disc signals could be found until 1990, and a few light signals are still in service.
Shunting is not permitted. Locally, this may be defined as:
- the signal may not be passed,
- no shunting movements are allowed in a certain track, or
- no shunting movements are allowed in a group of tracks.
Shunting is permitted. Locally, this may be defined as:
- the signal may be passed,
- shunting movements are allowed in a certain track, or
- shunting movements are allowed in a group of tracks.
Copyright © 2000 Henrik W Karlsson
