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

Section Contents: Other Signals

III. French Signalling
  1. Introduction and History
  2. Signal Types and Location
  3. Signal Aspects and Indications
  4. Other Signals
    1. Permanent speed reductions
    2. Temporary speed reductions
    3. Destination boards
    4. Stop orders
    5. Telephone communication signals
    6. Station boards
    7. Temporary single track boards
    8. Grade crossing boards
    9. Other fixed boards
    10. Electric traction signals
    11. Hand/whistle switching signals
    12. LGV boards and singals
    13. TGV cab signals
  5. Acknowledgements, References, and Web Links

4. Fixed Boards and Additional Signals

4.1 Limitations de Vitesse Permanantes - Permanent Speed Reduction Boards

TIV fixe à distance (du type «B») - Fixed speed warning board (> 140km/h)
     +---+       blk/wht/blk semicircle board
     |nnn|
       -         reduce to nnn km/h by the next TIVR, Km, or Z board
       |         only for trains authorised to travel at or above 140 km/h
       |         this will be the top board in a stack of TIVs
TIV fixe à distance (du type «C») - Fixed speed warning board (railcar)
       -         blk/wht/blk semicircle board
     |nnn|
     +---+       reduce to nnn km/h by the next TIVR, Km, or Z board
       |         only for railcars and self-propelled passenger units
       |         this will be below type B but above ordinary in a TIV stack
TIV fixe à distance (du type ordinaire) - Fixed speed warning board
     +---+       blk/wht/blk square board
     |nnn|
     +---+       reduce to nnn km/h by the next TIVR, Km, Z board or
       |            interlocking
       |         may also be repeated at incoming lines
TIV fixe à distance (crocodilé) - Fixed speed warning board (crocodile)
       .
      / \        blk/wht/blk lozenge board
      nnn 
      \ /        reduce to nnn km/h by the next TIVR, Km, Z board, or
       |            interlocking
       |         accompanied  by "crocodilé" point for cab signaling
Pancarte de repérage de transition de vitesse - Speed limit change board
     +---+       blk/wht square board Km    (large K small m)
     |Km |                            nnn.n (large units small tenths)
     |nnn|
     +---+       point of speed limit change
       |
       |
Speed limit transition:
      TIV B             \
      TIV C              \    TIV ordinare
      TIV ordinare        \    (repeater)      Km
  -------------------------*---------------------------------------->
       |       >= braking distance             |
Debut zone de ralentissement - Begin speed reduction
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board Z (zone)
     | Z |
     +---+       beginning of speed reduction not exceeding 5 km
       |
       |
Fin zone de ralentissement - End speed reduction
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board R (reprise)
     | R |
     +---+       end of the speed restriction begun by pancarte Z
       |
       |
Speed reduction zone:
      TIV B             \
      TIV C              \    TIV ordinare
      TIV ordinare        \    (repeater)       Z              R
  -------------------------*---------------------------------------->
       |       >= braking distance              |    <= 5km    |

4.2 Limitations de Vitesse Temporaires - Temporary Speed Recuction Boards

Visibilité réduite - Reduced visibility announce
       -         blk/wht/blk circle board /
     ( / )
       -         >= 100m in advance of P board or <= 100m in advance of TIVD
       |            when visibility is reduced (e.g. due to a curve)
                 [represented by / in the following track diagrams]
P Tableau préannoncé - Preannounce: reduce to 160 km/h
       -         blk/wht/blk circle board P backlit at night
     ( P )
       -         reduce speed to 160 km/h
       |
Annonce de réduction de vitesse - Approach TIVD (>40 km/h)
       -         */(blk-wht stripes ///) circle board (with flashing lunar)
     ( U*)
       -         placed 30m in advance of TIVD for speeds > 40 km/h
       |         [represented by U* in the following track diagrams]
Disque jaune - Approach TIVD (<=40 km/h and reduced visibility)
       -         */yel/blk circle board (with yellow light)
     ( Y )
       -         placed 30m in advance of TIVD for reduced visibility
       |            for speeds <= 40 km/h
                 [represented by Y in the following track diagrams]
TIVD (TIV à distance) - Approach TIV (high speed or reduced visibility)
       -         blk/wht/blk circle board, backlit at night
     (nnn)
       -         reduce to nnn km/h by TIV
       |         also used for a decreasing change in the restriction
TIVD (TIV à distance) - Approach TIV (normal)
       -         blk/wht/blk circle board, backlit at night
     (nnn)
       -
       -         */yel/blk circle board (with yellow light)
     ( Y )
       -         reduce speed to nnn km/h by TIV board
       |         [represented by TIVD over Y in the following track diagrams]
TIV déxécution - Begin speed restriction
       -         wht/blk/wht circle board, backlit at night
     (nnn)
       -         start point of temporary speed restriction, or
       |         change of speed within the restriction
Tableau blanc de fin de limitation - End speed restriction
       -         */wht/blk circle board, backlit at night
     (   )
       -         end of temporary speed restriction
       |         [represented by TB in the following track diagrams]
Tableau blanc à flèche verticale - Bypass speed restriction
                                            .
       -         blk/wht/blk circle board "/|\", backlit at night
     ( ^ )                                  |
       -         resume speed, diverging route has bypassed restriction
       |         [represented by ^ in the following track diagrams]
Examples of use:

Normal visibility, restriction <= 40km/h: TIVD ^ / Y / TIV TB --------------------------------*---------------------------------> | >= braking distance | <= 40 km/h | Reduced visibility, restriction <= 40km/h:

         /        Y    TIVD                    TIV             TB
  ------------------------------------------------------------------>
         |  100m  | 30m |  >= braking distance  |  <= 40 km/h  |
Normal visibility, restriction > 40km/h:
         U*            TIVD                    TIV             TB
  ------------------------------------------------------------------>
         |     200m     |  >= braking distance  |  <= 40 km/h  |
note: in all cases where the normal speed limit is in excess of 160 km/h, a P board will be placed braking distance to 160km/h in advance of the TIVD

4.3 Indicaions de Destinations Particulieres - Destination Boards

Tableau «G» (voie de service: garage) - Service track for parking trains
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board G (garage)
     | G |
     +---+
       |
       |
Tableau «D» (voie de dépôt) - Locomotive shop
     +---+   +---+     wht/blk/wht square board D (dépôt)
     | D |   |DEP|                            or
     +---+   +---+                              DEP (obsolete)
       |       |
       |       |
Tableau «Imp» (voie en impasse) - Dead end siding
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board Imp (impasse)
     |Imp|
     +---+
       |
       |
Tableau «SAS» - Enter short block between two interlocking signals
     +---+     wht/blk/wht rectangle (--) board SAS
     |SAS|
     +---+     
       |       
       |       
Tableau «Hertoir» - Bumper warning in nnn meters
     +-----+   +---+   wht/blk/wht square board HEURTOIR (small "EURTIOR")
     |H....|   | H |                             nnn  m 
     |nnn m|   +---+                          or
     +-----+     |                              H (obsolete)
        |        |                        
        |
Feu repérage de heurtoir - Bumper stop light
    (V) (R)    fixed Cv or C mounted on bumper
     |   |
     |   |
Pancarte de destination - Route destination board (obsolete)
    +-----+    blk/wht/blk rectangle (--) board with name of destination city
    |PARIS|
    +-----+    placed just past diverging junction to indicate route direction 
       |       
       |

4.4 Signal D'arret - Stop Orders

Feu rouge -- Red light
     +---+       
     | R |       stop and stay
     +---+       
Jalon d'arrêt à damier rouge et blanc - Red/white checkerboard stop sign
     +-+-+       wht red /opp square board
     +-+-+       red wht
     +-+-+
       |         stop and stay
Drapeau rouge - Red flag
       |
      ---        red rectangle (|) cloth banner
      | | 
      ---        stop and stay
       |
Pancarte à distance ARRÊT» - Announce stop board
     +---+      blk/wht square board ARRÊT (large "A" small "RRÊT")
     |A..|                           nnn  m (large nnn small "m")
     |...|
     +---+
       |        stop sign in nnn meters
       |
Pancarte «ARRÊT» - Stop board
     +-----+     wht/blk/wht rectangle (--) board ARRÊT
     |ARRÊT|
     +-----+     stop sign -- verbal orders must be received to proceed
        |
        |
Sans arrêt - Without stop (obsolete)
     +-----+     wht/blk/wht square board SANS 
     |SANS |                              ARRÊT
     |ARRÊT|
     +-----+     Pass S (semaphore) signal without stopping at restricted speed
        |
        |        obsolete -- replaced by (S) [flashing red]
Arrêt des trains du chantier - stop for trains used in work area
     +---+       wht/blk/wht rectangle (|) board  ARRÊT  (large A)
     |A..|                                          DES  
     |...|                                        TRAINS 
     +---+       work trains must not pass          DU   
       |            this point                   CHANTIER
       |

4.5 Signaux de Communication Téléphonique - Telephone Communication Signals

DD Demande départ - Request departure
       -
     |   |
     |   |
     |   |
       -
       |
     +---+       blk/wht square board D \ 
     |D \|                               |    (telephone hand set)
     |D /|                            D /  
     +---+
       |         permission must be requested by the corresponding telephone
     +---+          to depart either one minute before the scheduled time
     | C |          or when the signal turns green
     | Cv|
     +---+       located on interlocking signal (C or Cv)
       |
VAT Voyant d'appel téléphonique - Signal incoming telephone call
     +----+      blk/wht square board   \ 
     |  \ |                              |   (telephone hand set)
     |u* ||                             / 
     |  / |
     +----+      engineer must pick up the telephone immediately when
       |            VAT (flashing lunar) is on (with corresponding C or Cv)
       |


     +----+      blk/wht square board   \ 
     | 5 \|                           5  |   (telephone hand set)
     |   /|                             / 
     | u* |
     +----+      when stopped by a C or Cv the engineer should wait 5
       |            minutes before calling for authorisation to pass,
       |            unless VAT is flashing


     +----+      blk/wht square board   \  
     | _\_|                            --|-   (hand set crossed by red slash)
     |  / |                             /  
     | u* |
     +----+      it is only necessary to call for authorisation to pass
       |            signal if VAT is flashing
       |

4.6 Panneaux de Gares - Station Boards

Tête de train - Head of train
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board TT
     |T T|
     +---+       point at which locomotive must stop for all trains
       |         located on station platform
       |
Point normal d'arrêt de n véhicules - Normal stopping point for n cars
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board nV
     |n V|
     +---+       point at which train of n cars should stop
       |         multiple boards may be present for differing train lengths
       |
Plaque carrée mi-blanche, mi verte - Green/white starting plate
       |
     +---+       */ grn wht square board on mast below signal head
     | | |
     +---+       modifies restricting M or clear VL indication to
       |            starting signal indication
Chevron pointe en haut - Station exit markers at fouling points
     +---+       blk/wht square board /\
     |/ \|
     +---+       marks fouling point of switches for station exit
       |
       |
Limite de Manoeuvres - Limit of switching moves
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board LM
     |L M|
     +---+       limit past which switching moves may not pass
       |
       |
Limite pour garage par refoulement - Limit of parking train
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board LGR
     |LGR|
     +---+       limit of pushing train to be parked
       |            to avoid fouling switches and grade crossing activation
       |
Gare -- Minor station announce
     +-----+     blk/wht/blk rectangle (--) board GARE
     |GARE |
     +-----+     braking distance in advance of a chevron entry marker
        |           at a minor multi-platform non-signaled station
        |
Repère déntrée (chevron) - Minor station chevron entry marker
     +---+       blk/wht square board \/
     |\ /|
     +---+       placed 100m in advance of first diverging switch to
       |            multiple platforms at minor non-signaled station
       |
Repère à distance - Minor station (single platform) announce
     +-----+     */ wht blk /opp rectangle (--) board
     |  |  |
     +-----+     braking distance in advance of a non-signaled single platform
        |           (PL -- pleine) minor station
        |        a chevron will be placed at the first siding switch (if any)
Pancarte mi-blanche, mi-noire - Minor station limit marker
        .        */ blk wht lozenge board (dwarf) facing track
       /|\
       \|/       limit of minor station:  limit for maneuvers (LM) exiting
        |           and braking distance from disque (D) signal entering (BMVU)

4.7 Panneaux de Voie Unique Temporaire - Temporary Single Track Boards

Début de voie unique temporaire - Enter temporary single track
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board VUT
     |VUT|
     +---+       beginning of temporary bidirectional single track
       |         located under signal head before crossover
       |
Annonce fin voie unique temporaire - Approach end of temporary single track
     +---+       blk/wht/blk rectangle (--) board   FIN  (large letters)
     |FIN|                                        de VUT (small letters)
     |...|
     +---+       approach end of temporary single track operation
       |         located in advance of crossover
       |
Fin voie unique temporaire - End of temporary single track
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board   FIN  (large letters)
     |FIN|                                de VUT (small letters)
     |...|
     +---+       end of temporary single track operation
       |         located under temporary signal head before crossover
       |

4.8 Panneaux et Reperes de Passages a Niveau - Grade Crossing Boards

Sifflet - Whistle/horn
      +-+        wht/blk rectangle (|) board S
      |S| 
      +-+        sound horn or whistle
       |         placed 120m to 320m in advance of minor unprotected grade
       |            crossings
Annonce de passages à niveau - Approach grade crossing
     +---+       blk/wht/blk square board    PN   
     |PN |                                   xx   
     |xx |                                à nnn m
     |..m|
     +---+       grade crossing #xx (numbered outward from Paris)
       |            in nnn meters
       |
Passages à niveau - Grade crossing
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board  PN 
     |PN |                                 xx 
     |xx |
     +---+       grade crossing #xx
       |         placed 6m -- 8m in advance of crossing
       |
PN SAL (signalisation lumineuse et sonore) - Grade crossing sound/light
    (G)+         green lights authorise train to pass grade crossing
       |            for which the gates may not drop in all cases
    (G)+
       |
     +---+       wht/blk/wht square board  PN 
     |PN |                                 xx 
     |xx |
     +---+       grade crossing #xx
       |         placed 6m -- 8m in advance of crossing
       |

4.9 Other Fixed Boards

Mirlitons (tableaux de repérage) - Signal warning boards (reduced visibility)
     +-+   +-+   +-+   blk/wht rectangle (|) with diagonal stripes
     |/|   |/|   | |   
     |/|   |/|   |/|   warning for signal with reduced visibility
     |/|   | |   | |      note: used only when no other signal intervenes
     +-+   +-+   +-+            up to 5 (with 5 stripes) used in some cases
      |     |     |     
      |     |     |

     300m  200m  100m  in advance of signal when visibility is reduced
                       with
     120    60         or greater speed limit [km/h]
Approche des ouvrages dàrt à gabarit réduit - Approach reduced clearance
                                       _ 
     +---+       wht/blk square board | |
     || ||
     +---+       approach reduced clearance (bridge, tunnel, scaffolding)
       |         placed 300m in advance of beginning of reduced clearance
       |
Tunnel avec mauvaise ventilation - Enter tunnel with poor ventilation
                                          
     +---+       blk/wht square board  -  (inverted U, longer on left with 
     | V||                            | |               arrow pointing down)
     +---+                            V  
       |         
       |         entrance of tunnel with poor ventilation
Annonce point d'arrêt - Approach minor station platform for local trains
     +---+       blk/wht/blk rectangle (--) board    ABC  
     |ABC|                                        à nnn m
     |nnn|
     +---+       station platform named ABC in nnn m
       |
       |
Pancarte «Y» - Approach junction facing points (obsolete)
     +---+       blk/wht square board Y
     | Y |
     +---+       approach facing points of diverging junction
       |         placed in advance of diverging junction, typically on 
       |            controlling approach signal
Bifurcation - Approach junction trailing points (obsolete)
     +---+       blk/wht square board BIF (bifurcation)
     |BIF|
     +---+       approach trailing points of junction
       |         placed in advance of junction switch
       |         

4.10 Signaux Propes a la Traction Electrique - Electric Traction Signals

Signal à distance «Baissez panto» - Lower pantograph warning
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board     |        backlit at night
     | +=|                                 =====    
     |=+ |     prepare to lower              |    
     +---+       pantograph               =====   
       |                                     |    
       |
Baissez panto -- Lower pantograph
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board |\______/|   backlit at night
     |===|                              |________|    
     +---+     lower pantograph for      ________ 
       |          change in type of     | ______ |
       |          power feed            |/      \|
Fin de parcours à panto baissé - End of lowered pantograph
                                          __   __ 
     +----+    wht/blk/wht square board   \ | | /    backlit at night
     | || |                                || ||      
     |nnnn|    raise nn nnn V pantograph   || ||  
     +----+                               /_| |_\ 
       |                                   nn nnn
       |
Sectionnement à nnnn m - Cut current warning
     +----+    blk/wht/blk rectangle board (--) SECTA (large SEC small T A)
     |SEC |                                     nnn m(large nnn small m)
     |nnnm|    prepare to cut current by nnn m
     +----+    power isolation section ahead
       |
       |
Coupez courant - Cut current
               
                                         _______       
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board  |       |    backlit at night
     || ||                              / |     | \   or projected when
     |---|     cut current for power    \ ------- /   on (vertical bar
     +---+        section transition     |_______|    when off)
       |
       |
Fin de parcours à courant coupé -- End of current cut zone
                                              _    
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board     _/ \_     backlit at night
     ||_||                                 |     |    or projected when
     +---+     restore current             | | | |    on (vertical bar
       |                                   | |_| |    when off)
       |                                   |_   _| 
                                             \_/   
Fin de caténaire - End of catenary
      /\/\     wht/vio
     /____\
     \    /    suspended from catenary at termination point
      \/\/
Jalon à damier bleu et blanc - Halt for electric vehicles
      /\             wht
     /\/\      */ blu   blu /opp lozenge board
     \/\/            wht
      \/
               absolute stop for electric locomotives and vehicles
               mounted on ground next to track

4.11 Manoeuvres: Signaux a Main et Sonores - Hand/Whistle Switching Signals

Tirez - Pull
__ __           2 long blasts
                up/down movement of rolled flag or white lamp
Refoulez - Push
__ __ __        3 long blasts 
                horizontal swing of rolled flag or white lamp
Ralentissez - Slow
__ _ __ _ __ _  3 (long + short) blast pairs
                short vertical movement of rolled flag at arm's length or
                   white lamp next to body
Arrêtez - Stop
_ _ _ _ _ _     several short blasts
                waving of red flag, display of red lamp, or
                   violent movement of hands, any flag or lamp
Lancez - Shove to release after decoupling
__ __ _         2 long + 1 short blast
                rolled flag or white lamp moved twice away from body
                   and quickly down
Appuyez - Press to couple/decouple (note European coupling)
                flat hands pressed together one or more times
                   (one with lamp at night)

4.12 Panneaux et Signaux de Lignes a Grande Vitesse - LGV Boards and Singals

Pancarte «TGV» à distance - Approach TGV cab signaling only
      +---+      wht/blk/wht square board TGV
      |TGV|
      +---+
       +-+       blk/wht/blk rectangle (|) board
       |/|
       |/|       1st warning: 100m to 2nd warning
       |/|
       +-+
        |

      +---+      wht/blk/wht square board TGV
      |TGV|
      +---+
       +-+       blk/wht/blk rectangle (|) board
       |/|
       |/|       2nd warning: 100m to 3rd warning
       +-+
        |

      +---+      wht/blk/wht square board TGV
      |TGV|
      +---+
       +-+       blk/wht/blk rectangle (|) board
       | |
       |/|       3rd warning: 100m to LGV and end of trackside signals
       | |
       +-+
        |
Tableau de rappel TGV - Begin LGV
      +---+      wht/blk/wht square board TGV
      |TGV|
      +---+
        |
        -
      |   |
      |   |
      |   |
      |   |
      |   |
     o  -        LGV begins
        |        trackside colorlight signals end
        Nf
        |
Pancarte «FIN TGV» - Approach end of TGV cab signaling
     +---+     wht/blk/wht square board FIN
     |FIN|                              TGV
     |TGV|
     +---+     TGV cab signaling ends at next signal (Nf)
       |       placed 100m in advance of end of TGV signaling
       |
Limite de canton - LGV block boundary
     +---+     wht/ tan blu  rectangle (--) board (reflectorised)
     | > |
     +---+     marks LGV block boundaries
     |         note: right side marker points to left
     F
     |
Limite de canton (Nf) - LGV interlocking block boundary
     +---+     wht/ tan blu  rectangle (--) board (reflectorised)
     | > |
     +---+     marks LGV block boundaries at crossovers
     |         lunar white light indicates M permitting crossover
     |(U)         between tracks
     |
     Nf        note: right side marker points to left
     |
Jalon de manoeuvre - Marker for maneuvers
       .
      /\\      wht/vio lozenge board
     /  \\
     \  //     equivalent of carré violet
     |\//      lunar white light permits switching access to sidings
     |
     |(U)      note: right side marker points to left
     |
Point d'implantation des commutateurs de protection - Protection commutator
       |
     +---+     red triangle on small wht square identifier plate
     |/ \|
     |---|     indicates location of switch protection commutator
     +---+     located below block limit board
       |
LGV entry/exit signal locations (variable number of blocks may be conventionally AND TGV signaled):
                                         TGV
                                          -            -         -
     -        -     -                    | |          | |       | |
    | |      | |   | |   TGV  TGV  TGV   | |          | |       | |
    |G|      |G|   |G|    /    /    /    |G|          | |       | |
    | |      | |   | |    /    /    |    | |          | |       | |
     -        -     -     /    |    |    u-           o-        o-
     |        |     |     |    |    |     |            |         |
     F>       F>    F>                    Nf>    F>    Nf>      <Nf
  --------------------------------------------------------*----*---->
                                                           \  /
  <---------------------------------------------------------**-------
    <Nf FIN  <F    <F                     <F    <F              <Nf
        TGV

  BAL|  BAL   | ... |          BAL         |
     |  TGV   | ... |          TGV         |             TGV
                                           |LGV -->

4.13 Signalisaion et Cabine TGV - TGV Cab Signals

+--+        blk/yel square "CONTROLE" projected
|..|                       "VITESSE "
+--+        engineer must immediately reduce speed to limit
            due to excess speed automatic braking is taking place


+--+        blk/wht square "SECt" projected
|..|                       "SECt"
+--+        prepare to cut current
     

+--+        blk/wht square "1,5KV  " projected
|..|                       "  =+===" 
+--+                       "===+=  "
                           "   25KV"
            prepare to lower pantograph


+--+--+--+  blk/grn squares projected
|3 |0 |0 |  300 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  blk/grn squares projected
|2 |7 |0 |  270 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  blk/grn squares projected
|VL|VL|VL|  270 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  blk/grn squares projected (flashing)
|3*|0*|0*|  300 km/h approach 270 km/h; reduce by next block limit
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  blk/grn squares projected (flashing)
|2*|7*|0*|  270 km/h approach 220 km/h; reduce by next block limit
+--+--+--+

/ \/ \/ \   blk/wht lozenges projected
 2  7  0    approach 270 km/h; reduce by next block limit
\ /\ /\ /

/ \/ \/ \   blk/wht lozenges projected
 2  2  0    approach 220 km/h; reduce by next block limit
\ /\ /\ /

/ \/ \/ \   blk/wht lozenges projected
 1  6  0    approach 160 km/h; reduce by next block limit
\ /\ /\ /

/ \/ \/ \   blk/wht lozenges projected
 0  8  0    approach 80 km/h; reduce by next block limit
\ /\ /\ /

+--+--+--+  wht/blk squares projected
|2 |2 |0 |  220 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  wht/blk squares projected
|1 |6 |0 |  160 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

+--+--+--+  wht/blk squares projected
|0 |8 |0 |  80 km/h speed authorised
+--+--+--+

/ \/ \/ \   blk/red lozenges projected
 0  0  0    stop by next block limit
\ /\ /\ /

+--+--+--+  */red squares projected
|  |  |  |  restricting (marcher à vue), stop by next block limit
+--+--+--+  stop by next block limit


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