©1997 James P.G. Sterbenz - All rights reserved

Section Contents: French Signal Types and Location

III. French Signalling
  1. Introduction and History
  2. Signal Types and Location
    1. Location and identification
      1. Signal location
      2. Signal heads and identification
      3. BMU - Block manuel de double voie
      4. BMVU - Block manuel de voie unique
      5. GA - Guidon d'Arret
    2. Block signals
      1. BAL - Block automatique lumineux permissif
      2. BAPR - Block automatique à permissivité restreinte
      3. BMU - Block manuel de double voie
      4. BMVU - Block manuel de voie unique
    3. Interlocking signals
      1. Mainline interlocking signals
      2. Shunting signals
      3. Combination mainline and shunting signals
    4. Early light signals
    5. Signaux indicateurs de vitesse limite - speed signals
    6. Signaux indicateurs de direction - direction indicators
    7. Signaux de manoeuvre - switching signals
    8. Signaux de départ - departure signals
  3. Signal Aspects and Indications
  4. Other Signals
  5. Links and References

2. Signal Types and Location

Colorlight signals: Modern SNCF signals are of the colorlight type, with one lamp+lens housing for each light color+position. Other indicators, such as for speed and direction are also increasingly being replaced with projection assemblies and light arrays. The colorlight aspects are derived from the night indications of the 1941 code mechanical signals.
Color light designations:

R  = red           r = small red          S* = flashing (color S)
Y  = yellow        y = small yellow       S+ = flashing alternately with Sx
G  = green                                Sx = flashing alternately with S+
B  = blue                                 S? = on or dark due to failure
V  = violet
U  = lunar white   u = small lunar
W  = white

N  = number     (projected or light grid)
X  = letter(s)  (projected or light grid)

Mechanical signals: Most mechanical signals have been replaced by colorlight signals, but a few remain in use. A number of mechanical speed (TIV) and direction indicators are still in use, since the application of projected light indicators is fairly recent.
Mechanical signal and fixed board designations:

blk = black
tan = tan (light brown)
red = red
yel = yellow
grn = green
blu = blue
vio = violet
wht = white
ltb = light blue

S   = any light of color S as above

color1/color2/color3 shape "symbol"

color1 is the color of the symbol or text
       "*" is used for the case of no symbol or text
color2 is the color of the background
       for multiple colors, they are arranged as they are on the board
color3 is the color of the border
       multiple borders are represented by hyphens, outward to the edge
       "opp" is used to indicate a border around checkerboards that is
          the alternate color
       this field is blank if there is no border

shape is the shape of the board; for rectangles the longest dimension
       is indicated by (--) or (|)

symbol is the text on the board (possibly multi-line), or in some
       cases a more detailed drawing of the symbol


   Examples:

      wht/blk/wht-red square "A"

         white letter A on a square black board, with a white inner border
         surrounded by a red outer border

      */ wht red /opp square board
         red wht

         a square checkerboard of four colors, red border where the square
         is white, white border where the square is red

When mechanical signals are shown, it can be assumed that the clear form will be white when the spectacle is rotated away, unless otherwise stated. Similarly, for 1941 code signals the entire light cluster is shown in the standard arrangement and it may be assumed that the clear form consists of the green or lunar light, unless otherwise stated.

2.1 Signal Locations and Identification

2.1.1 Signal Location

SNCF mainline operations are typically left main for double track running, except for the ex-AL which is right main. Signals are located immediately to the left of or above the track they govern. For double track mainlines with both tracks bidirectionally signaled, the signals for the right track are located immediately to its right (unless on overhead gantries). When a signal is located on the wrong side of the track, a special board indicates this. The signal mast contains an arrow pointing to the track governed (even if on the right side of double track).
  normal location                   wrong side location

    -                                                  -
  |   |                                              |   |
  |   |                                              |   |
  |   |                                              |   |
    -                                                  -
    |                            +----+               /| (white arrow toward
    |                            | ^ O|                |  track governed)
    |                            | |  |                |
    |    _I____I_                +----+    _I____I_    |
                                blk/wht
Signal out of order (annulation des signaux)
    -
  \  /|
  |\/ |    white cross obstructing signal head
  |/\ |
  / -\     disregard signal head
    |
    |
    |

2.1.2 Signal Heads and Identification

Signal heads are black with very rounded edges on outer arcs (F, Nf, PR, BM) or circular (A, D), with a wide white border around the edge.
    -
  |   |
  |   |
  |   |
    -
    |     identification plates on the mast are small fixed rectangular plates
   +-+
   +-+    type plate
   +-+    id plate 
   +-+    optional track number plate blk/wht rectangle (--) "V.n" (voie n)
    |
    |
    |
Signal types:

namesystemtypeplate color
F franchissable BAL block home+distant (permissive)wht/blk
Nfnon franchissable (BAL) interlocking home+distant (absolute)wht/blk
PRpermissivité restreinteBAPR homewht/blk
BMblock manuel BM, BMVU homewht/blk
A avertissement BAPR, BM distantblk/wht
D disque BAPR, BMVUdeferred homeblk/wht
GAguidon d'arrêt short term stopblk/wht

Signal identifier plates:

   automatic block signal (BAL) identifier plates (F, A):

     +-------------------+    blk/wht rectangle (--)
     | |\ | |\ | |\ | km |
     | | \| | \| | \| .N |    signal located at NNN.N km
     +-------------------+

   block signal (BAPR, BMU, BMVU) identifier plates (PR, A, BM):

     +-------------------+    blk/wht rectangle (--)
     | |\ | |\ | |\ |    |
     | | \| | \| | \|    |    signal located at block NNN
     +-------------------+

   interlocking signal identifier plates (Nf):

     +-------------------+    blk/wht rectangle (--)
     |    |\ | |\ | |\ | |
     | C. | \| | \| | \| |    carré signal NNN
     +-------------------+

     +-------------------+    blk/wht rectangle (--)
     |  v |\ | |\ | |\ | |
     | C. | \| | \| | \| |    carré violet signal NNN
     +-------------------+

2.2 Block Signals

2.2.1 Light Signals

SNCF BAL - Block Automatique Lumineux Permissif

Automatic block signals used on high density lines

               -----
             | Y   Y )
             |   +--
    -        |   |
  | G |      | G |
  | R |      | R |
  | Y |      | Y |
    -          -
    |          |
   [F]        [F]
    |          |
    |          |

               -----
             | y   y )   [old style]
             |   +--
    -        |   |
  | G |      | G |
  | R |      | R |
  | Y |      | Y |
    -          -
    |          |
   [F]        [F]
    |          |
    |          |

               -----
             | y   y )   [older style]
             |   +--
    -        |   |
  | G |      | G |
  | R |      | R |
  | Y |      | Y |
 u  -       u  -
    |          |
   [F]        [F]
    |          |
    |          |

  block     approach
          interlocking
RENFE
              \|/
    -          -
  | G |      | G |
  | R |      | R |
  | Y |      | Y |
    -          -
    |          |
   [P]        [P]
    |          |
    |          |  

              \|/
    -          -
  | G |      | G |
  | R |      | R |
    -          -
    |          |
   [P]        [P]
    |          |
    |          |  

  block
CP
    -
  | G |
  | R |
  | Y |
    -
    |
  (b)
    |
    |


    -
  | G |
  | R |
  | Y |
    -
    |
   [P]
    |
    |

  block
Block and signal locations:

SNCF BAL blocks are less than 2800m long, and at least 500m
RENFE blocks are 1500m long

Signals default to clear

  type     F>               F>               F>               F>
            |--O             |--O             |--O             |--O
  ------------------------------------------------------------------>
  <------------------------------------------------------------------
         O--|             O--|             O--|             O--|
            <F               <F               <F               <F

            |      BAL       |     BAL        |      BAL       |
2-block 3-aspect signalling
  aspect         G             G             Y             R   

  designation    VL            VL            A             S
  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication                 clear       approach         stop
                                                      (permissive)
SNCF and RENFE 3-block 4-aspect high speed signalling

(VL) requires reduction to 160 km/h

  aspect         G             G*            Y             R

  designation    VL           (VL)           A             S
  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication   clear         advance     approach         stop
                             approach                 (permissive)
SNCF 3-block 4-aspect high density signalling

minimum block length 500m, 2 blocks > braking distance

  aspect         G      G      G      G      Y*     Y      R

  designation    VL     VL     VL     VL    (A)     A      S
  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication                         clear  adv    app    stop
                                            app       (permissive)
SNCF 2-block 3-aspect with 4th aspect for short or occupied block
  aspect                                            =
                 G             G             Y      Y      R

  designation    VL            VL            A     BJ+A    S
  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication                 clear          adv    app    stop
                                            app       (permissive)
RENFE 2-block 3-aspect with 4th aspect for short block
  aspect         G             G             Y     Y*      R

  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication                 clear          adv    app    stop
                                            app       (permissive)
SNCF 4-block 5-aspect high density and high speed signalling
  aspect         G      G      G      G*     Y*     Y      R

  designation    VL     VL     VL    (VL)   (A)     A      S
  ------------------------------------------------------------train->
  indication                  clear   adv   adv    app    stop
                                      adv   app       (permissive)
                                      app
SNCF BAL block signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Note
G
VL voie libre free track clear
   G* (VL) feu vert clignotant flashing green advance advance approach
   Y* (A) feu jaune clignotant flashing yellow advance approach
G
Y

PA préavertissement pre-warning advance approach obsolete
Y
A avertissement warning approach
   R* (S) feu rouge clignotant flashing red restricting
R
S sémaphore semaphore stop (permissive)
Y    Y  
R ralentissement slow approach slow
Y* Y*
(R) ralentissement 60 slow 60 approach medium

Note: Circles around an indication designation denote flashing, represented by parenthesis in this paper. PA is not an official designation, but is used herein for convenience.

RENFE block signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Note
G
vía libre free track clear
   G* v&iacutea libre condicional conditional free track advance approach reduce to 160 km/h
Y
anuncio de parada announce stop approach
   Y* anuncio de parada inmediata announce immediate stop approach short
R
parada stop stop (permissive)
G
Y

anuncio de precautión announce precaution approach slow

Block signal indications:

Aspect Indication Note
SNCF CP RENFE
G
G
G
clear
   G* ---    G* advance (advance) approach reduce to 160 km/h
   Y* --- --- advance approach
G
Y

obsolete
Y
Y
Y
approach
   R* --- --- restricting
R
R
R
stop (permissive)
Y    Y  
  G
Y

approach slow
Y* Y*
    approach medium

Mechanical block signals

SNCF

Sémaphore - permissive stop

           1941    +-----------------+
                   |                 |        */red/blk-wht rectangle (--)
                   +-----------------+                   board
                            | G 
                            | R    

                     --  _____________
                   (||||)_|_|_|_|R|_|_|       red semaphore frame
                     --            |             circular end
                                   |


           1885    +-----------------+
                   |                 |        */red/blk-wht rectangle (--)
                   +-----------------+                   board
                          R | G
                            |

                     --  _____________
                   (||||)_|_|_|_|R|_|G|       red semaphore frame
                     --            |             circular end
                                   |
Palette SEM - approach sémaphore (ex-Nord only and obsolete)
           1941          ____________
                        /__|_|_|_|_|_|        */yel/wht rectangle (--)
                                |                oblique end
                                |
                                              stripes backlit at night
                                                 by mirrored louvers:
                                                    horizontal       -- yellow
                                                    dropped (40 deg) -- green

           1885          ____________
                        /__|_|_|_|_|_|        */grn/wht rectangle (--)
                                |                oblique end
                                |
                                              stripes backlit at night
                                                 by mirrored louvers:
                                                    horizontal       -- green
                                                    dropped (40 deg) -- white
Avertissement - approach
                       .            .
           1941       / \          / \        yel/blk-wht lozenge board
                     /   \        /   \
                     \   /        \  Y/
                      \ /          \ /
                       |G           |
                       |Y           |

                                    .           */           */
           1885     +-----+        / \                       wht
                    |  |  |       /\ /\       grn wht     grn   grn
                    |--G-G|      +  /G +      wht grn        wht
                    |  |  |       \/ \/          /opp         /opp
                    +-----+        \ /        square       lozenge
                       |            |G         board        board
                       | normal     | reduced               
Ralentissement - approach slow
                       .            .
           1941       /|\          /|\        blk/yel/blk-wht isosceles
                     / | \        / | \                       triangle board
                    /  |  \      /  |  \
                   /   |   \    / Y | Y \
                   \___|___/    \___|___/
                       | G          |
                     Y | Y          |


           1885       ---
                    /     \    */grn/blk-wht circle board
                        G
                    \     /    disque de ralentissement
                      ---
                       |
                       |

2.2.2 SNCF BAPR - Block Automatique à Permissivité Restreinte

Limited permission automatic block home/distant used only on low density double track mainlines.

A telephone (VAT - Sec. 4.5) is located near the home signal for authorisation to pass when given a stop indication.

    -         ---         ---                     ---
  | G |     /     \     / Y Y \                 /     \
  |   |        G           G                     Y G R     +-------+
  | R |     \  Y  /     \  Y  /                 \  Y  /    | rrrrr |
    -         ---         ---                     ---      +-------+ 
    |          |           |                       |           |
   [PR]       [A]         [A]                     [D]         [GA]
    |          |           |                       |           |
    |          |           |                       |           |

  home       distant    approach                disque   guidon dáarrêt
                      interlocking                 +
                                                distant
                                                   «Pontoise-Goisors»
BAPR block and signal locations:

speed is limited to 160 km/h, and blocks are at least 6km long stations and other interlockings are signaled by BAL interlocking signals

                                           station
                                          ----------
    A>    PR>                A>    Nf>   /          \ PR>
  --------------------------------------*------------*-------------->
                                       /              \
  <-----------------------------------*----------------*-------------
            <PR    <A                <PR                <Nf    <A

  BAPR      |          BAPR          |       BAL        |     BAPR
BAPR on «Pontoise-Goisors» line (~35 km) block and signal locations: station limits defined by disque signal and [LM] board (Sec. 4.6)
                                           station
                                          ----------
    A>    PR>               D>     GA>   /          \   PR>   [LM]
  --------------------------------------*------------*-------------->
                                       /              \
  <-----------------------------------*----------------*-------------
            <PR    <A       [LM]   <PR                  <GA     <D
BAPR signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Type Note
G
VL voie libre clear APR  
Y
A avertissement approach A D 
R
S sémaphore permissive stop  PR  
Y    Y  
R ralentissement approach slow station diverging A   
Y* Y*
(R) ralentissement 60 approach medium station diverging A   
Y    R  
D disque arrêt différé deferred stop    «P-G»
====
GA guidon d'arrêt stop    GA«P-G» only

2.2.3 SNCF BMU - Block Manuel de Double Voie

Double track manual block home/distant used on branch lines

2 types

when a block station clears the home signals allowing block entry, the next station is notified; when the train enters this station and clears the block, the original station is notified that the block is clear
    -         ---
  | G |     /     \
  |   |        G   
  | R |     \  Y  /
    -         ---
    |          |
   [BM]       [A]
    |          |
    |          |

  home       distant
BMU block and signal locations:

station entry is protected by BAL interlocking signals

                                           station
                                          ----------
   A>     BM>               A>    Nf>    /          \  BM>
  --------------------------------------*------------*---------------
            |                       |  /              \  |
  ------------------------------------*----------------*-------------
            <BM     <A              <BM                  <Nf    <A

  BMU       |          BMU          |        BAL         |    BMU
BMU signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Type
G
VL voie libre clear ABM
Y
A avertissement approachA 
R
S sémaphore stop  BM

2.2.4 SNCFBMVU - Block Manuel de Voie Unique

Single track manual block, using deferred stop signals (Disque).

Operation is similar to BMU, except that block boundaries are only at stations with sidings, and two trains are never allowed in the same block. Before a train is cleared to enter a block, permission must granted from the next block station to allow entry

    -         ---        ---
  | G |     /     \    /     \
  |   |      Y G R        G
  | R |     \  Y  /    \ Y R /
    -         ---        ---
    |          |          |
   [BM]       [D]        [D]
    |          |          |
    |          |          |    

  home      disque +    disque
            distant 
 (exit)     (enter) 
BMVU block and signal locations:
     BM>                                  station         BM>
  ----                             ------------------------
      \                 D>   <>   /                        \    
  -----*-------------------------*--------------------------*---------
          <>   <D                <BM                           <>   <D
Station entry is protected by disque signal, showing clear for run-through (exit signal clear), approach for stop at exit signal, and deferred stop when station is occupied indicating stop at pancarte mi-blanche, mi-noire <> (Sec. 4.6).

Interlockings and non-station sidings are protected by disque signals (without A aspect) indicating stop before switch points or crossing

Mechanical Disque arrêt différé

           1941       ---                         ---       1885
                    /     \    */red/blk-wht    /     \
                               circle board         R
                    \     /                     \     /
                      ---                         ---
                       | G                         |
                     Y | R                         |
BMVU signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Type
G
VL voie libre clear DBM
Y
A avertissement approachD 
R
S sémaphore stop  BM
Y    R D disque arrêt différé deferred stop D 

2.2.5 SNCFGA - Guidon d'Arret - Short Term Stop Signal

Used only in conditions that will cause it to be met at restricting speed (marche à vue or marche en manoeuvre), e.g. preceded by S, (S), M, or pancarte GARE.

GA is used for protection of grade crossings and block limits (BM and «Pontoise-Gisors» BAPR) during switching moves, and is at stop for only short periods of time.

           +-------+
           | rrrrr |  (red bar)
           +-------+
               |
              [GA]
               |
               |      note: NO indication given when clear (red bar off)


Mechanical signal

           1941    +-------+
                   |       |   */red/wht rectangle (--) board
                   +-------+
                       |       
                       | R     
                       |       note: NO light is displayed when ouvert (off)

2.3 Interlocking Signals

2.3.1 Mainline interlocking signals

SNCF

                                                    -            -
                                   -----        --+ Y |      --+ Y |
                          -      | Y   Y )    |       |    | Y   Y |
                        | R |    | R +--      | R   Y |    | R   Y |
                        |   |    |   |        |   +--      |   +--
                        | G |    | G |        | G |        | G |
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -
                          |        |            |            |
                         [Nf]     [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |
                          |        |            |            |
                                                    -               
                                                --+ Y |             
                          -                   |       |             
                        | R |                 | R   Y |
                        |   |                 |   +--  
                        |   |                 |   |            [dead end block]
                        | R |                 | R |    
                        | Y |                 | Y |    
                       u  -                  u  -      
                          |                     |      
                         [Nf]                  [Nf]    
                          |                     |      
                          |                     |      

                      +-------+  +-------+    +-------+    +-------+  [short or
                      | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |    | yyyyy |    | yyyyy |   occupied
                      +-------+  +-------+    +-------+    +-------+   block]
                          |        |            |   -        |   -
                          |        -----        --+ Y |      --+ Y |
                          -      | Y   Y )    |       |    | Y   Y |
                        | R |    | R +--      | R   Y |    | R   Y |
                        |   |    |   |        |   +--      |   +--
                        | G |    | G |        | G |        | G |
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -
                          |        |            |            |
                         [Nf]     [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |
                          |        |            |            |

                      +-------+               +-------+  
                      | yyyyy |               | yyyyy |  
                      +-------+               +-------+  
                          |                     |   -             
                          |                     --+ Y |             
                          -                   |       |             
                        | R |                 | R   Y |             
                        |   |                 |   +--             
                        |   |                 |   |             
                        | R |                 | R |             
                        | Y |                 | Y |             
                       u  -                  u  -             
                          |                     |             
                         [Nf]                  [Nf]            
                          |                     |             
                          |                     |        


                       -------
                      | R   R |
                      |   ?   |    on signal tower in Gare du Nord
                      | ?   ? |
                       -------
                          Nf



   [old style]                                      -            -
                                   -----        --+ y |      --+ y |
                          -      | y   y )    |       |    | y   y |
                        | r |    | r +--      | r   y |    | r   y |
                        |   |    |   |        |   +--      |   +--
                        | G |    | G |        | G |        | G |
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -  
                          |        |            |            |  
                         [Nf]     [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |  
                          |        |            |            |

   [older style]                                    -            -
                                   -----          | y |      - | y |
                                 | y   y )      - |   |    | y   y |
                          -      |   +--      |     y |    |     y |
                        | G |    | G |        | G | -      | G | -  
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |  
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                        |   |    |   |        |   |        |   |
                        | r |    | r |        | r |        | r |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -  
                          |        |            |            |  
                         [Nf]     [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |  
                          |        |            |            |
Chevron -- chevron interlocking point board
     +---+     blk/wht/blk square board "\/"
     |\ /|
     +---+     diverging speed must be observed by this point
       |       placed immediately before interlocking begins
       |       [represented by V in track diagrams]
Signalling for 30 km/h diverging route (slow speed):
                                          Y
      G          G*          Y Y          Y

      VL        (VL)         R            RR    chevron

      F>         F>          F>           Nf>   V
  ----------------------------------------------*  ----------------->
                                                 \
  <---------------------------------------------  X  ----------------
       <F         <F          <F                   \ V <Nf         <F
                                                    \
                                                    |   C           A
                                                    |
                                                        R           Y
                                                        R
Signalling for 60 km/h diverging route (medium speed):
                                          Y*
      G          G*          Y*Y*         Y*

      VL        (VL)        (R)          (RR)   chevron

      F>         F>          F>           Nf>   V
  ----------------------------------------------*  ----------------->
                                                 \
  <---------------------------------------------  X  ----------------
          <F         <F          <F                \ V <Nf         <F
                                                    \
                                                    |   C           A
                                                    |
                                                        R           Y
                                                        R
BAL interlocking signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Type Note
   G*
u   
VL voie libre clear NfF
G
u   

(VL) feu vert clignotant advance advance approach NfF
   Y*
u   
(A) feu jaune clignotant advance approach NfF
G
Y

PA préavertissement advance approach NfF obsolete
Y
u   
A avertissement approach NfF
   R*
u   
(S) feu rouge clignotant restricting NfF
R
u   
S sémaphore stop (permissive) NfF
R
R
C carré absolute stop Nf 
Y    Y  
u            

R ralentissement approach slow NfF
Y* Y*
u            

(R) ralentissement 60 approach medium NfF
Y
Y

u   
R rappel de ralentissement slow clear Nf 
   Y*
   Y*

u   
(R) rappel de ralentissement 60 medium clear Nf 

RENFE

Signalling for 30 km/h diverging route (slow speed):

   O+-|        O+-|        O+-|                     O--|
  <---------------------------------------------*-------------------
                                                  
  ----P>------------------------------------------*  --------------->
      |-+O        |-+O        |-+O        |--O<    \ 
                                                    \
                              G            /        |
      G           G*          Y           G         |
Signalling for 60 km/h diverging route (medium speed):
   O+-|        O+-|        O+-|                     O--|
  <---------------------------------------------*-------------------
                                                  
  ----P>------------------------------------------*  --------------->
      |-+O        |-+O        |-+#O       |--O<    \ 
                                                    \
                              G            /        |
      G           G*          Y           G         |
                             60´

CP

Mechanical Interlocking Signals

Carré - absolute stop

           1941     +-----+      +-----+         wht red
            and     |  |  |      |  |  |      */ red wht /opp
           1885     |--+--|      |--R-R| 
                    |  |  |      |  |  |      square or rectangle (--) board
                    +-----+      +-----+      
                       | G          |         
                      R| R          |


           additional            +-----+    blk/wht/blk square board
                                 |_____| 
           PO                    |_____|    carré de talon sur la voie directe
                                 |     |    mainline station exit signal
                                 +-----+ 
           middle band white:  stop |
                 lunar light: clear |
Rappel de Ralentissement - slow clear
                     _____        _____
           1941     /     \      /   Y \      blk/yel/blk-wht isosceles
                    \_____/      \___ _/                      triangle board
                     \   /        \  Y/
                      \ /          \ /
                       | Y          |
                       | G          |
                       | Y          |


           [no 1885 equivalent]

2.3.2 Shunting signals

                          -
                        | U |
                        |   |
                        | V |
                          -
                          |
                 -----   [Nf]
                | U V |   |
        [dwarf]  -----
                    Nf
Mechanical Shunting Signals

Carré violet - absolute stop in yards and station sidings

           1941     +-----+      +-----+      */vio/wht  square board
                    |     |      |     | 
                    |     |      |    V| 
                    |     |      |     |      carré violet
                    +-----+      +-----+ 
                       | U          |
                       | V          |


           1885                    ---
                                 /     \    */yel/blk-wht circle board
           PO                        Y
           PLM                   \     /    rond jaune
                                   ---
                                    |
                                    |

           1885                  +-----+ 
                                 |     |    */yel/blk-wht square board
           Est                   |   Y | 
           Etat                  |     |    carré jaune
           Midi                  +-----+ 
                                    |
                                    |


           additional              ---            wht
           PO                    / \ / \    */ blu   blu /blk circle board
                                    / B           wht
                                 \ / \ /
                                   ---      voyant de talon `a quadrants
                 blue  light: stop  |          bleus et blancs
                 lunar light: clear |       station siding entry to mainline

                                   ---   
                                 /_____\    blk/wht/blk circle board
                                  _____  
                                 \     /    voyant de -
                                   ---         transversale (crossing)
                 lunar band:  stop  | U        refoulement ou de débranchement
                 lunar light: clear |             (pusher or hump)
                                               garage (siding)

2.3.3 Combination Mainline and Shunting Signals

Mainline interlocking signals with yard entry/exit
                                                    -            -
                                   -----        --+ Y |      --+ Y |
                          -      | Y   Y )    |       |    | Y   Y |
                        | V |    | V +--      | V   Y |    | V   Y |
                        | U |    | U |        | U +--      | U +--
                        | G |    | G |        | G |        | G |
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -
                          |        |            |            |
                         [N]      [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |
                          |        |            |            |

   [old style]                                      -            -
                                   -----          | y |      --+ y |
                          -      | y   y )      --+   |    | y   y |
                        | U |    | U +--      | U   y |    | U   y |
                        | r |    | r |        | r +--      | r +--
                        |   |    |   |        |   |        |   |
                        | G |    | G |        | G |        | G |
                        | R |    | R |        | R |        | R |
                        | Y |    | Y |        | Y |        | Y |
                       u  -     u  -         u  -         u  -  
                          |        |            |            |  
                         [Nf]     [Nf]         [Nf]         [Nf]
                          |        |            |            |
                          |        |            |            |

                          -
                        | V | 
                        | U | 
                        | r |
                        |   |
                        | G |
                        | R |
                        | Y |
                       u  -
                          |
               ---Nf--   [Nf]
              | R U R |   |
 [Nord dwarf]  -------
Yard interlocking signal indication designations:

Aspect Name Indication Type
U
M manoeuvre restricting 30 km/hCvNf
   U* (M) feu blanc clignotant restricting within yard limits Cv 
V
Cv carré violet absolute stop Cv 

2.4 Early Light Signals

Early Est 1941 code colorlight signals with square heads
     ------- 
    |   Y   |     ------- 
    | R   R |    | R O O |    Note: lamps in array of 3 columns -- much more
    | G     |    | G   O |          information needed here!
    | O O O |    | Y   Y |
     -------      ------- 
        |            | 
     (u)|         (u)| 
        |            |
       [Nf]         [F]
        |            |
Early Etat colorlight signal type «St. Mariens» based on the configuration of light clusters below mechanical signals
         ------- 
        |     Y |  <------+
 C -->  | R   R |  <-- C  +-- RR    Note: lamp positions in head correct,
VL -->  | G   Y |  <------+               placement of colors for fully
 R -->  | Y   Y |  <-- R                  loaded head needs confirmation
 A -->  | Y     |
         ------- 
            |    
            |    
Early colorlight signals designed for 1885 to 1941 code transition
     ------- -------      ------- -------                 -   
    |       |       |    |       |       |              |   |  
    |  G W  |  G W  |    |  O O  |  Y G  |              |Y G|  
    |   G   |   R   |    |   O   |   R   |              | R |  
    |       |       |    |       |       |              |   |  
     ------- -------      ------- -------                 -    
        |       |            |       |                    |
        |       |            |       |                    |

     1885 with dual       1941 with left         1941 with left mast
     heads and masts    signal head blanked   removed and current target

     Note: relative position of colors in triangles needs confirmation
Early Etat colorlight signals based on 1885 code
                       -------     -------
           +------>   |       |   |   G   |
       R --+  C -->   |       |   | R   R |
           |  S -->   |       |   | R   G |
           | VL -->   |       |   | W   W |    ---
           +------>   |       |   |   G   |   |   |
                      |    ---     -------    |   |
                       ---|           |        ---
                          |           |         |

                       -------     -------
              D--->   |       |   |   R   |
              S -->   |       |   | R   G |
             VL -->   |       |   | W   W |    ---
                      |       |   |       |   |   |
                      |    ---     -------    |   |
                       ---|           |        ---
                          |           |         |
Early colorlight signals based on 1885 code
                          W           W     <--- some may have white added for 
                       -------     -------                    clear indication?
           +------>   |   G   |   |   G   |
       R --+  R -->   | G   G |   | G   G |
           |  S -->   | R   G |   | R   G |
           |  C -->   | R   R |   | R   R |    ---
           +------>   |   G   |   |   G   |   |   |
              A -->   | G  ---     -------    | G |
                       ---|           |        ---
                          |           |         |

2.5 Signaux Indicateurs de Vitesse Limite - Speed Signals

TIV Préannonce - Speed limit advance approach (high speed trains)
     +---+            +---+           
     |P  |            |  ||           black P on white square projected (on)
     +---+            +---+           white bar projected (off)
       |                |             
       |                |             reduce speed to 160 km/h
                                      

     +---+              |w            mechanical form (rotates)
     | P |              |w      
     +---+              |w            blk/wht/blk square board "P"
       |                |             backlit at night
       |                |             white vertical bar on side when off

     fermé            ouvert
      (on)            (off)
Tableau Indicateur de Vitesse limite mobile à distance - speed limit approach indicator
      (u)x             ( )
       |                |
   +-------+        +-------+         black on white lozenge projected (on)
   | / \   |        | / \ | |         white lozenge and bar projected (off)
   |+nnn+  |        |+   +| |
   | \ /   |        | \ / | |         approach nnn km/h (multiples of 10
   +-------+        +-------+            >60, 90 and 120 most common)
       |                |
      (u)+             ( )            installations after 1987 omit
       |                |                alternately flashing lunar lights
       |                |


      (u)x             ( )            mechanical form (rotates)
       |                |
      / \               |w            blk/wht/blk lozenge board
     +nnn+              |w            backlit at night
      \ /               |w
       |                |
      (u)+             ( )
       |                |
       |                |

     fermé            ouvert
      (on)            (off)
   [nnn km/h]
TIV Rappel - Speed limit repeat, maximum speed through interlocking
       -                -
     |   |            |   |
     |   |            |   |
     |   |            |   |
     |   |            |   |
     |   |            |   |
     |   |            |   |
    o                o  -
       |                |
     +---+            +---+           white on black projected (on)
     |nnn|            | | |           white bar projected (off)
     +---+            +---+
       |                |             also may be wht/blk/wht fixed board
      [Nf]             [Nf]           
       |                |             reduce to nnn km/h
       |                |             placed on signal governing interlocking

     fermé            ouvert
      (on)            (off)
    [N km/h]
Signalling for 90 km/h diverging route:
                             u×
                             90           G
      G          P           u+           90

      VL        TIVP         TIV       VL+TIVR

      F>         F>          F>           Nf>   V
  ----------------------------------------------*  ----------------->
                                                 \
  <---------------------------------------------  X  ----------------
       <F         <F          <F                  V\   <Nf         <F
                                                    \
                                                    |   C           A
                                                    |
                                                        R           Y
                                                        R

2.6 Signaux Indicateurs de Direction - Direction Indicators

SNCF

Tableau Indicateur de Direction à Distance - Advance direction indicator

     +---+        +---+               white projected on black
     |\  |        |  /|
     | | |        | | |               approach diverging route
     +---+        +---+               located on its own mast
       |            |
       |            |


     +---+        +---+               or
     |\  |        |  /|
     | | |        | | |
     +---+        +---+               located with signal before divergence
       |            | 
       -            -
     |   |        |   |
     |   |        |   |
     |   |        |   |
     |   |        |   |
       -            - 
       |            |
       |            |
Indicateur de Direction - Direction indicator
g     -----
   | U U U |  horizontal signal head with 2 to 7 (3 shown here) lights
     -----    indicating route from leftmost geographic (left light only)
       |      to rightmost geographic (all lights on)
       -
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
    o  -
       |
      [Nf]
       |
       |
Early route indicators:
                   +---+ 
                  <  U  >
                   |   | 
     -----        <  U  >
   < U U U >       |   | 
     -----        <  U  >
       |           +---+ 
     -----           |   
    |     |        ----- 
    |     |       |     |
    |     |       |     |
     -----         -----            
       |            [Nf]         
       |             |           
Directional signal example for 2 diverging routes:
     /
    |           U U

    Y Y          Y
                 Y        *------------
                         /             \
    F>           Nf>    /               \
  ------------------*--*  ------------------------------------------>
  <---------------*----*---------------------------------------------
                                           \
                         \                  \
                          \                  ----------------------->
                           -----------------------------------------<

   \
    |           U  


    G            G        *  ----------
                         /             \
    F>           Nf>                    \
  ------------------*--*-------------------------------------------->
  <---------------*----*---------------------------------------------
                                           \
                         \                  \
                          \                  ----------------------->
                           -----------------------------------------<
RENFE
     u u u
      uuu 
       u  
       -
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
       -
       |
       |
       |
       |


       -
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
       -
      uuu 
       u  
       |
       |
Mechanical Direction Indicators

SNCF

           1941     \---u-+      */ltb/blk fishtail semaphore
                    /-----+                   
                        |        horizontal with no light for route off
                    \---u-+      
                    /-----+      top arm dropped with lunar light for left
                        |        
                    \---u-+      n arms from top dropped with n lunar lights
                    /-----+         for nth route to the right 
                        |           (not limited to 3 routes)
                        |  
                                 semaphore obscures lunar lamp when horizontal


           1885     \---w-+      */vio fishtail semaphore
                    /--v--+                   
                        |        horizontal with violet light for route off
                    \---g-+      
                    /--v--+      top arm dropped with white light for left
                        |        
                    \---g-+      nth arm from top dropped with green light
                    /--v--+         for nth route to the right
                        |           (not limited to 3 routes)
                        |  
RENFE
                     _____
                    |_||__|b
                         |w      blue semaphore with white stripe 
                     _____       horizontal with blue light
                    |_||__|b     
                         |w      nth arm dropped with lunar light for 
                     _____       nth route from left
                    |__||_|b
                         |w
                         |
Tableau d'Entreé à Contresens S - Crossover (enter) to wrong main
Tableau de Ssortie de Contresens S - Crossover (exit) from wrong main
     TECS           TSCS

     +---+          +---+             white projected on black
     | _||          ||_ |
     ||  |          |  ||             crossover at nnn km/h
     +---+          +---+             located on interlocking signal governing
    +-----+        +-----+               crossover with TIV dictating speed
    | nnn |        | nnn |
    +-----+        +-----+            used on double track mainline signaled
       |              |                  for both directions
       -              -
     |   |          |   |
     |   |          |   |
     |   |          |   |
     |   |          |   |
    u  -           u  -
       |              |
      [Nf]           [Nf]
       |              |
       |              |

     +---+          +---+             white projected on black
     | _||          ||_ |
     ||  |          |  ||             
     +---+          +---+             
       |   -           |  -
       --+ Y*|        --+ Y*|         crossover at 60 km/h
     |       |      |       |         
     |     Y*|      |     Y*|
     |   +--        |   +--
     |   |          |   |
     |   |          |   |
     |   |          |   |
    u  -           u  -
       |              |
      [Nf]           [Nf]
       |              |
       |              |
Signalling for a 90 km/h crossover (signals shown for right direction only):
                                  _|
                         u×      |
                        90       90                  R
      G        P         u+       G                  R         G

      F>     TIVP>     TIV>      Nf>   V            <Nf        F>
  <------------------------------------*  ------*------------------>>
                                        \
  <<-----------------------------------  *----*--------------------->
      A>     TIVP>     TIV>      Nf>     V          <Nf        F>

      Y                           R                  R         G
                                  R                  R
Indications de destinations particulières - Siding/track indicators
     +---+     white or yellow ? letter(s) projected on a black background
     | X |     or wht/blk/wht rotating between face-on and edge-on
     +---+
       -       G   = garage  - service track
     |   |     D   = dépôt   - locomotive shop
     |   |     Imp = impasse - dead end siding
     |   |     SAS = ?       - short block entry between interlockings
     |   |     n             - track number
    o  -       
       |
      [Nf]  
       |
       |

SNCF directional signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Type Note
\
 |

TIDD tableau indicateur de direction à distance approach diverging left route NfF
/
| 

approach diverging right route
u
ID indicateur de direction diverge on left route Nf  arbitrary number of lamps
in combination with non-stop aspect
u u
diverge on 2nd to left route
u u u
diverge on 3rd to left route
u u u u
diverge on 4th to left route
__|
|

TECS tableau d'entreé à contresens cross to right track
enter reverse running
Nf  in combination with non-stop aspect
|__
|

TSCS tableau de sortie de contresens cross to left track
exit reverse running
Nf 
G
IDP indications de destinations particulières garage route to service track Nf 
D
dépôt route to loco shop
Imp
impasse route to dead end siding
SAS
? route to short block between interlockings
n
  route to track n

Tableau Indicateur de Provenance - Indicator of origin

       -
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
       -
       |
     +---+     white number lit from 5x7 grid(s) (one per digit)
     | N |
     +---+     indicates departing track number to which a non-stop indication
       |          applies
       |
               placed after convergence of a number of tracks  

2.7 Signaux de Manoeuvre - Switching Signals

Signal Lumineux de Manoeuvre - Switching maneuver signal
             (U)   (U)
              |-----|
                 |  
                 | (U)
                 |--|
                 |
                +-+    blk/wht roman numeral plates 
                |I|    
                +-+    forward most signal numbered I, increase backwards
                 |
                 |

Signal de débranchement - Coupling and hump signal (obsolete)

       ---
     /  uu \
      u u u 
     \ uu  /
       ---
        |
        |

Switching signal indications:

Aspect Name Indication Note
SLM SD
U× O
U+
u
u
u

tirez pull SLM vertical alternate flash
U× U+
O
  refoulez push SLM horizontal alternate flash
      u
  u
u
pousez push
  u
  u
    u
lancez shove
O O
O
u u u arretêz stop SLM dark
U U
U

  fin dèmploi du signal end of signal use SLM on for 15 sec. then dark

2.8 Signaux de Départ - Departure Signals

Signal Lumineux de Départ -- Departure signal
       -
     | U |
     |   |
     |   |     mounted on mast of Cv signal
       -
       |
    +---+      green and white rectangles (|) projected
    |w|g|
    +---+      clearance to leave station
       |
       |
               or
       -  
     |   |
     |   |
     | G |     mounted on exit signal mast, frequently with TIP to
     |   |        indicate track number for which departure authorised
     |   |
       -
       |
     +---+     
     | N |     TIP track number (Sec. 2.6) to which this signal applies
     +---+     
       |       
       |
    +---+      green and white rectangles (|) projected
    |w|g|
    +---+      clearance to leave station
       |
       |
Tableau Lumineux de Correspondance pour voies convergentes - Converging track indicators
     +--------------+    placed 5m in advance of fouling point, on
     | ---  w g  wr |    ground to left of track
     |  |   w g  rw |
     +--------------+    replaces upward chevron

     +-----------+       placed at fouling point
     | ---  w g  |
     |  |   w g  |       chevron ^ 5m in advance indicates stopping point
     +-----------+
TLC indications:

namesymbolmeaning
lettre &laquoT»Tpermission to switch to neighboring track
SLDsignal lumineux de départ|departure signal
Cdamier rouge et blanc+stop (replaces chevron pointe et haute)

Locations of fully loaded TLCs:

          T|+
  ----------------
          T|+     \
  -----------------*-----
                 T|+     \    Nf>
  ------------------------*------------------------------------------
                   |  5m |         
Locations of TLCs without the stop indication (^ chevron at stopping point):
            ^  T|  
  ----------------
            ^  T| \
  -----------------*-----
                   ^  T| \    Nf>
  ------------------------*------------------------------------------
                   |  5m |         
Chevron pointe en haut - Chevron pointing up
     +---+     blk/wht square board "/\" (on ground)
     |/ \|
     +---+     point at which train must wait for TIP or TLC indication
               located 5m in advance of fouling point


Last updated 8 November 2004
©2003–2005 James P.G. Sterbenz <jpgs@sterbenz.org>