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

Section Contents: French Signal Aspects and Indications

III. French Signalling
  1. Introduction and History
  2. Signal Types and Location
  3. Signal Aspects and Indications
    1. Stop signals
    2. Restricting signals
    3. Approach signals
    4. Clear signals
    5. Direction indicators
    6. Switching signals
    7. Departure signals
    8. Switch point indicators
    9. signals
  4. Other Signals
  5. Links and References

3. Signal Aspects and Indications

Speed designations

Terminology follows American signaling practise for purposes of comparison, but refers to the speed ranges inherent in the SNCF signaling system.

namespeedaspectsrepresentation in diagrams
limited 70 - 150 km/hr TIVR TIV 90
medium 60 km/h (RR) (R) 60
slow 30 km/h RR R 30

SNCF

Signals are shown for each different valid head configuration and mast plate type for modern colorlight signals. When two mast plates are shown (e.g. D and A), both signals apply (e.g. A signal and D signal with the given aspect). If a currently valid (1941 code) mechanical aspect exists, it is shown in condensed form in the last column (more complete description of mechanical signals is presented in Sec. 2.4). Note that clusters of mechanical signals are common, but only the signals of significance are shown for a given indication. 

                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+ Y |    --+ Y |
         | Y   Y )    -      | Y   Y )  |       |  | Y   Y |
         |   +--    | U |    | U +--    | U   Y |  | U   Y |
    -    |   |      | R |    | R |      | R +--    | R +--      -      ---
  | G |  | G |      | G |    | G |      | G |      | G |      | G |  / Y Y \
  | R |  | R |      | R |    | R |      | R |      | R |      |   |   R G Y 
  | Y |  | Y |      | Y |    | Y |      | Y |      | Y |      | R |  \  Y  /
    -      -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -          -      ---
    |      |          |        |          |          |          |       |
    F      F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf         PR      D
    |      |          |        |          |          |          BM      A
    |      |          |        |          |          |          |       |

   ---block-----     --------- interlocking ---------------

        approach            approach   diverging  diverging   home   distant
       diverging           diverging              approach             and
                                                  diverging          disque
In the cases where indications have a corresponding 1885 code aspect, these are shown in a row following the modern signals, for both the early colorlight and mechanical signals. The style of mechanical signal shown here is with the lamp behind a lens in the mechanical board, but actual practise varied somewhat among the SNCF predecessor railroads.

RENFE

Signals are shown for block, interlocking, interlocking with shunt head, and dwarf colorlight signals. More information on the configuration of signals (particularly 2-aspect home and distant heads) is needed for these diagrams. RENFE 

    -                 -        -  
  | G |             | G |    | G |
  | R |             | R |    | R |
  | Y |             | Y |    | Y |
    -                 -        -  
    |                 |        |  
   [P]                |      (   )                      - -      - -      -
    |                 |        |                       |G R|    |R  |    |R|
    |                 |        |                       |Y__|    |___|    |_|
  block             ----- interlocking -----

CP

Signals are shown for block, interlocking, interlocking with shunt head, and shunt colorlight signals. More information on the configuration of signals is needed for these diagrams. CP 

                                        -        -
    -        -        -        -      | Y |    | Y |
  | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |
  | R |    | R |    | R |    | R |    | R |    | R |
  | Y |    | Y |    | Y |    | Y |    | Y |    | Y |
    -        -        -        -        -        -  
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
   [P]     (b)        |      ( U )      |      ( U )
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
    |        |        |        |        |        |  

      block             ----- interlocking -----

3.1 Stop Signals

Absolute Stop / Stop and Stay

SNCF - Carré: C 
        -------                               -          -
       | R   R |               -----      --+   |    --+   |
       |       |      -      |       )  |       |  |       |
        -------     |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
           Nf       | R?|    | R?|      | R?+--    | R?+-- 
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    | R?|    | R?|      | R?|      | R?|                      
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |                +-+-+ 
                      -        -          -          -                  +-+-+ 
                      |        |          |          |                  +-+-+ 
        ---Nf--       Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf                   |
       | R?  R?|      |        |          |          |                   R|R
        -------       |        |          |          |                    |


   [1885]
                    -----    ----- 
                   |     |  |     |                         
                   |     |  |     |                                     +-+-+ 
                   |     |  |     |                                     +R+R+ 
                   | R R |  | R R |                                     +-+-+ 
                    -----   |   --                                        |
                      |      --|                                          |
                      |        |                                          |


                 Damier rouge et blanc on TLC

                    +--------------+ 
                    |           wr |
                    |           rw |
                    +--------------+
RENFE - Parada 
                      -        -  
                    |   |    |   |
                    | R |    | R |
                    |   |    |   |
                      -        -  
                      |        |  
                      |      (   )                      - -      - -      -
                      |        |                       |  R|    |R  |    |R|
                      |        |                       |___|    |___|    |_|
CP - Paragem Absoluta 
                                        -        -
                      -        -      |   |    |   |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                    | R |    | R |    | R |    | R |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                      -        -        -        -  
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |      (   )      |      (   )
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |        |        |        |

Absolute Stop (sidings and mainline entry/exit)

SNCF - Carré violet: Cv 
                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                             |       )  |       |  |       |
                             | V +--    | V     |  | V     |
                      -      |   |      |   +--    |   +--
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |               
                    | V |    |   |      |   |      |   |                +---+ 
                      -        -          -          -                  |   | 
                      |        |          |          |                  +---+ 
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf                   |
                      |        |          |          |                    |V
                      |        |          |          |                    |


   [1885]
                                                                 +---+    -
                                                                 |  Y|  (  Y) 
                                                                 +---+    -
                                                                   |      |
                                                                   |      | 
                                                                   |      |
CP - Prohibiçã de manobras 
                      -
                    | V |                                              
                    |   |                                    _____      +---+ 
                      -                                     |_____|     |   | 
                      |                                          |v     +---+ 
                      |                                          |        |
                      |                                          |        |V
                      |                                          |        |

Permissive Stop

SNCF - Sémaphore: S

BAL stop and proceed, BAPR stop permissive 

                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |              |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |          O==R==
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |              |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--      -         |
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      |   |       |
 | R |   | R |      | R |    | R |      | R |      | R |      |   |
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      | R |
   -       -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -          -      +-----+
   |       |          |        |          |          |          |      +-----+
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf         PR        |
   |       |          |        |          |          |          BM        |R
   |       |          |        |          |          |          |         |


   [1885]

 ----- ----- 
|     |     |
|  R  |  G  |
|     |     |
 ----- ----- 
   |     |    
   |     |    

 -----   -----      -----    -----                                     
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                         
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                                          
| R G | | R G |    | R G |  | R G |                               |    +-----+
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                           O==R=G   +-----+
 -----  |   --      -----   |   --                                |       | 
   |     --|          |      --|                                  |      R|G
   |       |          |        |                                  |       |
RENFE - Parada (con marcha a la vista) 
    -  
  |   |
  | R |
  |   |
    -  
    |  
   [P] 
    |  
    |
CP - Paragem Permissiva 
                                                 -
    -        -                 -               |   |
  |   |    |   |             |   |             |   |
  | R |    | R |             | R |             | R |
  |   |    |   |             |   |             |   |
    -        -                 -                 -  
    |        |                 |                 |  
   [P]     (b)               ( U )             ( U )
    |        |                 |                 |  
    |        |                 |                 |  

             -  
           |   |
           |   |
           |   |
             -  
             |
           (b)
             |
             |

Deferred Stop

SNCF - Disque arrêt différé: D 
                                                                ---
                                                              /     \
                                                               Y   R 
                                                              \     /     -
                                                                ---     (   ) 
                                                                 |        -
                                                                 D        |
                                                                 |       Y|R
                                                                 |        |


   [1885]
                                                                          -
                                                                        (  R) 
                                                                          -
                                                                          |
                                                                          | 
                                                                          |
RENFE - Parada diferida 
                                                                          -
                                                                        (   ) 
                                                                          -
                                                                          |
                                                                          | 
                                                                          |
CP - Paragem diferida 
                      -  
                    |   |
                    | R*|
                    |   |
                      -                                                   -
                      |                                                 (   ) 
                      |                                                   -
                      |                                                   |
                      |                                                   |

Short Term Stop

SNCF - Guidon d'arrêt:GA

note: dark aspect (no light) is given for clear (ouvert) 

                  +-------+
                  | rrrrr |                                            +-----+
                  +-------+                                            |     |
                      |                                                +-----+
                      GA                                                  |
                      |                                                   |R
                      |                                                   |

3.2 Restricting Signals

Restricting 15 km/h

SNCF - (S)

BALgrade signal
station run-through
BAPRBMshort block to absolute stop
GA at stop ahead
allcall-on to occupied block

                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
 | R*|   | R*|      | R*|    | R*|      | R*|      | R*|
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
   --      -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -
   |       |          |        |          |          |
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
   |       |          |        |          |          |
   |       |          |        |          |          |

Restricting Shunt Permission (15 km/h)

SNCF - Manoeuvre: M 
                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                             |       )  |       |  |       |
                             |   +--    |       |  |       |
                      -      | U |      | U +--    | U +--
                    | U |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |                  +
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |                 ||
                      -        -          -          -                   || 
                      |        |          |          |                    +
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf                   |U
                      |        |          |          |                    |  
                      |        |          |          |                    |
RENFE - Rebase autorizado 
                               -  
                             |   |
                             | R |
                             |   |
                               -  
                               |  
                             ( U )                               - -      -
                               |                                |R  |    |R|
                               |                                |U__|    |U|


                               -  
                             |   |
                             | R |
                             |   |
                               -  
                               |  
                             ( U*)  stop not required at station entry
                               |  
                               |
CP - Paragem Absoluta 
                                        -        -
                      -        -      |   |    |   |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                    | R |    | R |    | R |    | R |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                      -        -        -        -  
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |      (   )      |      (   )
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |        |        |        |
SNCF - (M)

within yard limits LM 

                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                             |       )  |       |  |       |
                             |   +--    |       |  |       |
                      -      | U*|      | U*+--    | U*+--
                    | U*|    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                      -        -          -          -
                      |        |          |          |
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
                      |        |          |          |
                      |        |          |          |
SNCF - TLC T

switching to neighboring siding permitted before interlocking signal 

                    +--------------+ 
                    | ---          |
                    |  |           |
                    +--------------+

3.3 Approach Signals

Advance Advance Approach / Clear 160 to 3rd Stop
Advance Approach / Clear 160 to 2nd Stop

used where speed limit > 160 km/h

SNCF - (VL) 

                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--
 | G*|   | G*|      | G*|    | G*|      | G*|      | G*|
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
   -       -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -
   |       |          |        |          |          |
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
   |       |          |        |          |          |
   |       |          |        |          |          |
RENFE - Via libre condicional 
    -                 -        -  
  | G*|             | G*|    | G*|
  |   |             |   |    |   |
  |   |             |   |    |   |
    -                 -        -  
    |                 |        |  
   [P]                |      (   )                      - - 
    |                 |        |                       |G* |
    |                 |        |                       | __|

Advance Approach / Clear to 2nd Stop

SNCF - (A) 
                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--      ---
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      /     \
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |                
 | Y*|   | Y*|      | Y*|    | Y*|      | Y*|      | Y*|      \  Y* /
   -       -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -          ---
   |       |          |        |          |          |           |
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf          D
   |       |          |        |          |          |           A
   |       |          |        |          |          |           |
Preavertissement: PA - obsolete, replaced by (A) 
                      -
                    |   |
   -                |   |
 | G |              | G |
 |   |              |   |
 | Y |              | Y |
   -               u  -
   |                  |
   F                  Nf
   |                  |
   |                  |

Limited Advance Approach / Limited to 2nd Stop

SNCF - (A) + TIVR 90 
                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                      -      |       )  |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    | Y*|    | Y*|      | Y*|      | Y*|
                   u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -
                      |        |          |          |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                    |90 |    |90 |      |90 |      |90 |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                      |        |          |          |
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
                      |        |          |          |
                      |        |          |          |

Medium Advance Approach / Medium to 2nd Stop

SNCF - (RR) + (A) 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y*|    --+ Y*|
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y*|  |     Y*|
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        | Y*|      | Y*|
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |

Slow Advance Approach / Slow to 2nd Stop

SNCF - RR + (A) 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y |    --+ Y |
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y |  |     Y |
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        | Y*|      | Y*|
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |

Approach Medium Approach / Clear to Medium to Stop

SNCF - (R) + (A)

next signal is (RR) + A 

                                                         -
           -----               -----                 --+   |
         | Y*  Y*)           | Y*  Y*)             | Y*  Y*|
         |   +--             |   +--               |       |
         |   |               |   |                 |   +--      ---
         |   |               |   |                 |   |      / Y*Y*\
         |   |               |   |                 |   |                 
         | Y*|               | Y*|                 | Y*|      \  Y* /
           -                u  -                  u  -          ---
           |                   |                     |           |
           F                   Nf                    Nf          D
           |                   |                     |           A
           |                   |                     |           |

Approach / Clear to Stop

SNCF - Avertissement: A 
                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--      ---
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      /     \      
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |                  . 
 | Y |   | Y |      | Y |    | Y |      | Y |      | Y |      \  Y  /    / \
   -       -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -          ---     +   +
   |       |          |        |          |          |           |       \ /
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf          D        |
   |       |          |        |          |          |           A        |Y
   |       |          |        |          |          |           |        |


                                                                       ______
                  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+          /yyyyyy|
       [40 km/h]  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |              |
                  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+              |
                      |        |          |   -      |   -                |
                      |        -----      | |   |    --+   |              |
                      -      |       )    --+   |  |       |
                    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |            [SEM]
                    |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--  
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |    
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |    
                    | Y |    | Y |      | Y |      | Y |    
                   u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -      
                      |        |          |          |      
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf     
                      |        |          |          |      
                      |        |          |          |      


   [1885]

 ----- ----- 
|     |     |
|  G  |  G  |
|     |     |
 ----- ----- 
   |     |    
   |     |    

 -----   -----      -----    -----                                     
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                         
| G G | | G G |    | G G |  | G G |                                     +-+-+
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                        ______       +G+G+ 
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                       /gggggg|      +-+-+ 
 -----  |   --      -----   |   --                            |           | 
   |     --|          |      --|                              |           | 
   |       |          |        |                              |           | 
                                  
 -----   -----      -----    -----                          [SEM]      
|  G  | |  G  |    |  G  |  |  G  |                                       .
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                                      / \ 
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |                                     + +G+ 
|  G  | |  G  |    |  G  |  |  G  |   [reduced braking distance]         \ /  
 -----  |   --      -----   |   --                                        |G
   |     --|          |      --|                                          | 
   |       |          |        |                                          |

Approach Short / Clear to Stop Short

SNCF - Avertissement + Bande jaune: A + BJ

short or occupied block 

                  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+
       [40 km/h]  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |  | yyyyy |
                  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+  +-------+
                      |        |          |   -      |   -  
                      |        -----      | |   |    --+   |
                      -      |       )    --+   |  |       |
                    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--  
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |    
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |    
                    | Y |    | Y |      | Y |      | Y |    
                   u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -      
                      |        |          |          |      
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf     
                      |        |          |          |      
                      |        |          |          |
RENFE - Anuncio de parada immediata 
    -                 -        -  
  |   |             |   |    |   |
  |   |             |   |    |   |
  | Y*|             | Y*|    | Y*|
    -                 -        -  
    |                 |        |  
   [P]                |      (   )                      - - 
    |                 |        |                       |   |
    |                 |        |                       |Y*_|

Limited Approach / Limited to Stop

SNCF - A + TIVR 
                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                      -      |       )  |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    | Y |    | Y |      | Y |      | Y |
                   u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -
                      |        |          |          |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                    |90 |    |90 |      |90 |      |90 |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                      |        |          |          |
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
                      |        |          |          |
                      |        |          |          |

Medium Approach / Medium to Stop

SNCF - (RR) + A 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y*|   ---+ Y*|
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y*|  |     Y*|
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        | Y |      | Y |
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |

Slow Approach / Slow to Stop

SNCF - RR + A 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y |    --+ Y |             
                                        |       |  |       |                
                                        |     Y |  |     Y |              .  
                                        |   +--    |   +--               / \ 
                                        |   |      |   |                +   +
                                        |   |      |   |                 \ /
                                        | Y |      | Y |                __|__
                                       u  -       u  -                  \___/
                                          |          |                   \ / 
                                          Nf         Nf                   |Y
                                          |          |                    |Y
                                          |          |                   Y|

Slow Approach + Approach

SNCF - A + R (obsolete) 
   [1885 code only]

         -----               -----                                      +-+-+
        |     |             |     |                                     +G+G+
        | G G |             | G G |                                     +-+-+
        |     |             |     |                                       -   
        |     |             |     |                                     (  G) 
        | G --              | G --                                        - 
         --|                 --|                                          |  
           |                   |                                          | 

                                                                          .
         -----               -----                                       / \
        |  G  |             |  G  |                                     + +G+
        |     |             |     |                                      \ / 
        |     |             |     |                                       |G  
        |  G  |             |  G  |                                       -   
        | G --              | G --                                      (  G)
         --|                 --|                                          - 
           |                   |                                          |

3.4 Clear Signals

Clear

SNCF - Voie libre: VL 
                                              -          -
           -----               -----      --+   |    --+   |
         |       )    -      |       )  |       |  |       |
         |   +--    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
   -     |   |      |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--      -      ---
 | G |   | G |      | G |    | G |      | G |      | G |      | G |  /     \
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      |   |     G   
 |   |   |   |      |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |      |   |  \     /
   -       -       u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -          -      ---
   |       |          |        |          |          |          |       |
   F       F          Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf         PR      D
   |       |          |        |          |          |          BM      A
   |       |          |        |          |          |          |       |


                                          +-+   |                 +       /g
                                      +   | |   IG       +       ||      /g
                                     ||   | |   I       ||       ||     /g| 
                                      +   +-+   I        +        +    |g |
                                      |G   |G   O        |        |G      |
                                      |    |    |        |        |       |
                                      |    |    |        |        |       |

                                      -----S-----       GA   C,A,D,R,RR  SEM


   [1885]

 ----- ----- 
|     |     |
|  W  |  W  |
|     |     |
 ----- ----- 
    |    |    
    |    |    

   W       W          W        W       confirm white light added above head ?
 -----   -----      -----    -----                                     
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |
|     | |     |    |     |  |     |
 -----  |   --      -----   |   -- 
   |     --|          |      --|   
   |       |          |        |   

                                    +-+   |             +    +    +       /w
                                +   W W  WIW       +   ||   ||   ||      /w
                              W||W  | |   I       ||  W||W  ||W  ||W    /w| 
                                +   +-+   I        +    +    +    +    |w |
                                |    |    O        |    |    |    |W      |
                                |    |    |        |    |    |    |       |
                                |    |    |        |    |    |    |       |

                                -----S-----       GA   C,A  D,R   A      SEM
RENFE - Via libre 
    -                 -        -  
  | G |             | G |    | G |
  |   |             |   |    |   |
  |   |             |   |    |   |
    -                 -        -  
    |                 |        |  
   [P]                |      (   )                      - - 
    |                 |        |                       |G  |
    |                 |        |                       | __|
CP - Via Livre 
                                        -        -
    -        -        -        -      |   |    |   |
  | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |    | G |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
    -        -        -        -        -        -  
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
   [P]     ( )        |      (   )      |      (   )
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
    |        |        |        |        |        |

Advance Approach Limited / Clear to 2nd Limited

SNCF - P (end of speed limit > 160 km/h) 
         +---+
         | P |
         +---+
           |
           |

Approach Limited / Clear Limited

SNCF - TIV à distance 
          (u)x
           |
       +-------+
       | / \   |
       |+ 90+  |
       | \ /   |
       +-------+
           |
          (u)+
           |
           |
RENFE - Anuncio de precaución 90 
    -                 -  
  | G |             | G |
  |   |             |   |
  | Y |             | Y |
    -                 -  
    |                 |    approach left diverging limited
  +---+             +---+
  |90'|             |90'|  diagonal arrow in upper left corner
  +---+             +---+
    |                 |
   [P]                |
    |                 |  
    |                 |  

    -                 -  
  | G |             | G |
  |   |             |   |
  | Y |             | Y |
    -                 -  
    |                 |    approach right diverging limited
  +---+             +---+
  |'90|             |'90|  diagonal arrow in upper right corner
  +---+             +---+
    |                 |
   [P]                |
    |                 |  
    |                 |

Limited Clear / Limited to Clear

SNCF - VL + TIVR 
                                              -          -
                               -----      --+   |    --+   |
                      -      |       )  |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   +--    |       |  |       |
                    |   |    |   |      |   +--    |   +--
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                    | G |    | G |      | G |      | G |
                    |   |    |   |      |   |      |   |
                   u  -     u  -       u  -       u  -
                      |        |          |          |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                    |90 |    |90 |      |90 |      |90 |
                    +---+    +---+      +---+      +---+
                      |        |          |          |
                      Nf       Nf         Nf         Nf
                      |        |          |          |
                      |        |          |          |

Approach Medium / Clear to Medium

SNCF - Ralentissement 60: (R) 
                                                         -
           -----               -----                 --+   |
         | Y*  Y*)           | Y*  Y*)             | Y*  Y*|
         |   +--             |   +--               |       |
         |   |               |   |                 |   +--      ---
         |   |               |   |                 |   |      / Y*Y*\
         |   |               |   |                 |   |                   
         |   |               |   |                 |   |      \     /
           -                u  -                  u  -          ---
           |                   |                     |           |
           F                   Nf                    Nf          D
           |                   |                     |           A
           |                   |                     |           |
RENFE - Anuncio de precaución 60 
    -                 -  
  | G |             | G |
  |   |             |   |
  | Y |             | Y |
    -                 -  
    |                 |    approach left diverging limited
  +---+             +---+
  |60'|             |60'|  diagonal arrow in upper left corner
  +---+             +---+
    |                 |
   [P]                |
    |                 |  
    |                 |  

    -                 -  
  | G |             | G |
  |   |             |   |
  | Y |             | Y |
    -                 -  
    |                 |    approach right diverging limited
  +---+             +---+
  |'60|             |'60|  diagonal arrow in upper right corner
  +---+             +---+
    |                 |
   [P]                |
    |                 |  
    |                 |
CP - Avisio de precaução 
                                        -        -
    -        -        -        -      |   |    |   |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
  | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|
    -        -        -        -        -        -  
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
   [P]     ( )        |      (   )      |      (   )
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
    |        |        |        |        |        |

Medium Clear / Medium to Clear

SNCF - Rappel de ralentissement 60: (RR) 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y*|   ---+ Y*|
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y*|  |     Y*|
                                        |   +--    |   +---
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |
CP - Precaução 
                                        -        -
                                      | Y |    | Y |
                                      |   |    |   |
                                      |   |    |   |
                                      | Y |    | Y |
                                        -        -  
                                        |        |  
                                        |      (   )
                                        |        |  
                                        |        |

Medium Approach Medium / Medium to Medium

SNCF - (RR) + (R)

displayed as aspect (RR) + A (medium approach / medium to stop) 

                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y*|   ---+ Y*|
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y*|  |     Y*|
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        | Y |      | Y |
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |

Medium Approach Slow / Medium to Slow

SNCF - (RR) + R

displayed as aspect (RR) + A (medium approach / medium to stop) 

                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y*|   ---+ Y*|
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y*|  |     Y*|
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        | Y |      | Y |
                                       u  -       u  -
                                          |          |
                                          Nf         Nf
                                          |          |
                                          |          |

Approach Slow / Clear to Slow

SNCF - Ralentissement: R 
                                                         -
           -----               -----                 --+   |
         | Y   Y )           | Y   Y )             | Y   Y |
         |   +--             |   +--               |       |
         |   |               |   |                 |   +--      ---
         |   |               |   |                 |   |      / Y Y \
         |   |               |   |                 |   |                  .
         |   |               |   |                 |   |      \     /    /|\
           -                u  -                  u  -          ---     / | \
           |                   |                     |           |      -----
           F                   Nf                    Nf          D        |
           |                   |                     |           A       Y|Y
           |                   |                     |           |        |


   [1885]

         -----               -----                                     
        |     |             |     |                                        
        |     |             |     |                                       -  
  ---   |     |             |     |                                     (  G) 
 |   |  |     |             |     |                                       -   
 | G |  | G --              | G --                                        | 
  ---    --|                 --|                                          | 
   |       |                   |                                          |
RENFE - Anuncio de precaución 
    -                 -  
  | G |             | G |
  |   |             |   |
  | Y |             | Y |
    -                 -  
    |                 |
   [P]                |
    |                 |  
    |                 |
CP - Avisio de precaução 
                                        -        -
    -        -        -        -      |   |    |   |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
  |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
  | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|    | Y*|
    -        -        -        -        -        -  
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
   [P]     ( )        |      (   )      |      (   )
    |        |        |        |        |        |  
    |        |        |        |        |        |

Slow Clear / Slow to Clear

SNCF - Rappel de ralentissement: RR 
                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y |    --+ Y |
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y |  |     Y |
                                        |   +--    |   +--
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |
                                        |   |      |   |                _____ 
                                       u  -       u  -                  \___/
                                          |          |                   \ /
                                          Nf         Nf                   | 
                                          |          |                    |Y
                                          |          |                    |Y
CP - Precaução 
                                        -        -
                      -        -      |   |    |   |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                    |   |    |   |    |   |    |   |
                    | Y |    | Y |    | Y |    | Y |
                      -        -        -        -  
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |      (   )      |      (   )
                      |        |        |        |  
                      |        |        |        |

Slow Approach Medium / Slow to Medium

SNCF - RR + (R)

displayed as aspect RR + A (slow approach / slow to stop) 

                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y |    --+ Y |
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y |  |     Y |
                                        |   +--    |   +--  
                                        |   |      |   |    
                                        |   |      |   |    
                                        | Y |      | Y |    
                                       u  -       u  -      
                                          |          |      
                                          Nf         Nf     
                                          |          |      
                                          |          |

Slow Approach Slow / Slow to Slow

SNCF - RR + R

displayed as aspect RR + A (slow approach / slow to stop) 

                                              -          -
                                          --+ Y |    --+ Y |
                                        |       |  |       |
                                        |     Y |  |     Y |
                                        |   +--    |   +--  
                                        |   |      |   |    
                                        |   |      |   |    
                                        | Y |      | Y |    
                                       u  -       u  -      
                                          |          |      
                                          Nf         Nf     
                                          |          |      
                                          |          |

3.5 Direction Indicators

Direction indicators show at least 2 directions; only 3 are shown below, but as many signal positions are provided as necessary.

The signals shown are: 

    modern      old 1941 code  1941 code    1885 code      1885 code
  colorlight     colorlight    mechanical   colorlight     mechanical
No route set 
     -----         +---+           |           +---+           |    
   |       |      <     >       ---|          /     \       --V| 
     -----         |   |           |          \  V  /          |
       |          <     >          |           +---+           |
       -           |   |        ---|          /     \       --V|
     |   |        <     >          |          \  V  /          |
     |   |         +---+           |           +---+           |
     |   |           |          ---|          /     \       --V|
     |   |         -----           |          \  V  /          |
     |   |        |     |          |           +---+           |
     |   |        |     |                        |
    o  -          |     |                        |
       |           -----            
       Nf            Nf          
       |             |           
       |             |
Route set for leftmost route 
     -----         +---+           |           +---+           |    
   | U     |      <  U  >         U|          /  W  \         W| 
     -----         |   |         / |          \     /        / |
       |          <     >          |           +---+           |
       -           |   |        ---|          /     \       --V|
     |   |        <     >          |          \  V  /          |
     |   |         +---+           |           +---+           |
     |   |           |          ---|          /     \       --V|
     |   |         -----           |          \  V  /          |
     |   |        |     |          |           +---+           |
     |   |        |     |                        |
    o  -          |     |                        |
       |           -----            
       Nf            Nf          
       |             |           
       |             |
Route set for 2nd route from left 
     -----         +---+           |           +---+           |    
   | U U   |      <  U  >         U|          /     \       --V| 
     -----         |   |         / |          \  V  /          |
       |          <  U  >          |           +---+           |
       -           |   |          U|          /  W  \         G|
     |   |        <     >        / |          \     /        / |
     |   |         +---+           |           +---+           |
     |   |           |          ---|          /     \       --V|
     |   |         -----           |          \  V  /          |
     |   |        |     |          |           +---+           |
     |   |        |     |                        |
    o  -          |     |                        |
       |           -----            
       Nf            Nf          
       |             |           
       |             |
Route set for 3rd route from left 
     -----         +---+           |           +---+           |    
   | U U U |      <  U  >         U|          /     \       --V| 
     -----         |   |         / |          \  V  /          |
       |          <  U  >          |           +---+           |
       -           |   |          U|          /     \       --V|
     |   |        <  U  >        / |          \  V  /          |
     |   |         +---+           |           +---+           |
     |   |           |            U|          /  W  \         G|
     |   |         -----         / |          \     /        / |
     |   |        |     |          |           +---+           |
     |   |        |     |                        |
    o  -          |     |                        |
       |           -----            
       Nf            Nf          
       |             |           
       |             |

3.6 Switching Signals

SLM Signal lumineux de manoeuvre - Switching signal

Tirez - Pull 

    (U)x ( )
        |
    (U)+|
        |
        |
Refoulez - Push 
    (U)x (U)+
        |
    ( ) |
        |
        |
Arretêz - Stop 
    ( )  ( )    (dark)
        |
    ( ) |
        |
        |
Fin dèmploi du signal - End of signal employment 
    (U)  (U)    (on for 15 seconds)
        |
    (U) |
        |
        |
Signal de d'ebranchement - Switching signal

Tirez - Pull 

       ---
     /  u  \
        u   
     \  u  /
       ---
        |
        |
Poussez - Push 
       ---
     /   u \
        u   
     \ u   /
       ---
        |
        |
Arretêz - Stop 
       ---
     /     \
      u u u 
     \     /
       ---
        |
        |
Lancez - Shove 
       ---
     /  u  \
        u u 
     \     /
       ---
        |
        |

3.7 Departure Signals

Permission to depart - obey aspect of next interlocking signal: SLD (on TLC) 
                    +--------------+
                    |      w g     |
                    |      w g     |    
                    +--------------+
Permission to depart - obey aspect of this signal: SLD 
                   ---
                  |   |
                  |   |
                  |   |
                  |   |
                  |   |
                   ---
                    |
                 +---+
                 |w|g|
                 +---+
                    |
                    |

3.8 Signaux Indicateurs de Direction des Aiguilles - Switch Point Indicators

1885 code        colorlight    mechanical    colorlight   mechanical


                   +---+           |           +---+           |    
Direct            / W V \        +W|V-/       / V W \       \-V|W+    */vio
                  \     /        +-|--\       \     /       /--|-+    fixed
                   +---+           |           +---+           |      fishtail
                     |             |             |             |      blades
                     |             |             |             |


                   +---+           |           +---+           |    
Diverging         /     \        +G|V-/       /     \       \-V|G+
                  \ G V /        +-|--\       \ V G /       /--|-+
                   +---+           |           +---+           |
                     |             |             |             |
                     |             |             |             |

                      left turnout                right turnout

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