Danish Signaling

Entry Signals (Private Lines)

DRAFT


Updated 990405

Contents

 Introduction
 Entry Signal Types
 Entry Signal Aspects and Indications
     "Stop" (Danish: "Stop")
     "Proceed" (Danish: "Kør")
     "Proceed Through" (Danish: "Kør Igennem")
Entry Signal Useage
     Route Signaling Entry Signals
     Speed Signaling Entry Signals
     Entry Signals without Speed or Route Indication
     The 'X'-indicator
Peculiarities
 
Comments to this document

Introduction

The Entry Signal defines the limits of the station towards the line. The Entry Signal controls train movements into and, to some extent, through the station. This document describes the Entry Signal as it is used on the Private Lines.

Since the Private Lines in Denmark are small independent and self-contained railways, there are variations in signaling between the lines. As each line is rather short, and always operated by the same train crew, a number of special and very local solutions to specific problems have been implemented over the years (often to develop cheaper solutions than "regular" Danish signaling rules would permit).

With the exception of one line, all Private Lines are operated at low line speeds (max. 75 km/h, 45 mph), and it is therefore not necessary to use complicated speed or route signaling. The exception is Lollandsbanen, with a line speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and regular operation of State Railway trains. Lollandsbanen is leaning more towards State Railway practices in signaling, though still featuring specific Private Lines signaling.

Entry Signal Types

Entry Signals on the Private Lines may be divided into a number of physical and logical types.

The most widespread signals are the route signaling Entry Signals. The route signaling Entry Signals generally resemble the standard Entry Signals of the State Railways, but lack Speed Board and Route Indicator:

The rightmost two signals are supplemented by an 'X'-indicator .

Some lines use speed signaling Entry Signals with Speed Boards, equivalent to State Railway signals. The speed signaling Entry Signals may also be supplemented by an 'X'-indicator :

Some older installations use Entry Signals that do not signal route or speed, equivalent to older State Railway signals:

In all examples shown, the signal can be with or without an upper green lamp, depending on whether the signal can show the "Proceed Through" indication.

The variation in physical shapes of Entry Signals on the Private Lines is almost endless, as signals have often been built locally. The main appearances, however, are as shown in the examples above.

Entry Signal Aspects and Indications

"Stop" (Danish: "Stop")

 
  • Stop
 X X X X X
X

"Proceed" (Danish: "Kør")

Table 1
  • Proceed into Station not exceeding prescribed speed
 X X X X
X
X
  • Train will enter "Diverging" track
 X X  X  
 
 
  • Train will enter "Straight" track
      
X 
X
X
  • The Entry Route has no safety overlap
     X  
 
X
Table 2
  • Proceed into Station not exceeding prescribed speed
 X X X X
X
X
  • Permitted speed as shown on Speed board 
     X  
X
 
  • Reduced Speed Sign is to be ignored (i.e. line speed applies)
       X
 
 
  • Maximum speed is 40 km/h, be prepared for 
    • Short entry route
    • No safety overlap
    • Occupied platform track
 
 
 
 
 
X

"Proceed Through" (Danish: "Kør Igennem")

 
  • Proceed through Station on Through Track at prescribed speed
 X X X X X
  • Subsequent Main Signals within station limits the station show at least "Proceed" or better
 X X  X X X
  • Reduced Speed Sign is to be ignored (i.e. line speed applies)
         X
  • There may be passengers to pick up at the Station (only where "flickering" upper green is used)
     X    
  • No passengers to be picked up at the Station ("flickering" upper light, only used on certain lines)
       X  

Entry Signal Useage

Route Signaling Entry Signals

The most common stations on the Private Lines are small single track stations with a siding for meets. On such stations it is adequate to be able to signal whether entry is to the "straight" or "diverging" track. Even on stations with more than 2 tracks there is rarely any reason to go into further detail. Entry to the "Diverging" track is shown as the Yellow over Green aspect, but without the Speed Board found on the State Railway Lines. In practical terms this is consistent with State Railway practices and also consistent with the special 3-lamps Exit Signal used on Private Lines:

The Private Lines follow State Railway practice of not advance signaling the Exit Signal when entering other than "Through Track".

Entry to "Straight" track is signaled by a single green, regardless of permitted speed:

"Proceed Through" is shown if the Exit Signal shows "Proceed":

Speed Signaling Entry Signals

A few Private Lines conform to State Railway practice and interprets the Entry Signal aspects as speed signaling aspects. This means that the Yellow over Green aspect must be supplemented by a speed indication. Reduced Speed Signs are used for this purpose:

The difference between route and speed signaling Entry Signals only becomes visible in the example below, where simultaneous entry for meets has been implemented by using short safety overlaps of 50 m (55 yds). A 50 m safety overlap is sufficient to permit entry at 40 km/h (25 mph) without the use of the 'X'-indicator, and such aspects are thus displayed at both Entry Signals when trains are to enter the station simultaneously:

Entry Signals without Speed or Route indication:

Some Private Lines use older types of interlocking systems, similar to the interlockings used by the State Railways on secondary lines. The specific type is designed without Exit Signals, but most have later had 3-lamp Exit Signals added. The Entry Signal on these stations does not convey any information about either route or speed when entering a station, and the train must therefore be driven accordingly. Only when being signaled through the station on Through Track does the Entry Signal indicate a specific route by displaying "Proceed Through":

Some of these stations have a passenger signal indicating whether the train should stop to pick up passengers. When passengers push a button on the platform, the Passenger Signal lights a yellow lamp. At the same time any road crossings in the exit end of the station will have their triggering delayed until the train is at the station (status of road crossings are indicated by separate signals).

On some lines, the through route may be set such that the passenger signal is inoperative, to assist trains not supposed to stop at the station. To indicate to the train that it may pass through the station without checking the passenger signal, the top green light of the Entry Signal flashes at a fast rate, effectively producing a flickering light:


The 'X'-Indicator

The 'X'-indicator is used for three somewhat different, but still related, purposes. So far the different uses are on separate lines, and thus mostly a matter of local interpretation. Since all require an extra cautious entry into the station, they are in practical terms more or less related.

Entry routes without safety overlap

Some Private Lines run very intense services. This naturally generates a desire to cut down the time for a meet. One way to cut down the time is to permit both meeting trains to enter the station at the same time. This can be accomplished by eliminating the standard safety overlap that ties up the other entry switch until the first train has arrived. Entering a station on a route without a safety overlap requires special caution. To indicate this, the Entry Signal is supplemented by an 'X'-indicator, displaying a white 'X' when the Entry Signal is cleared for an entry route without a safety overlap:

When trains are entering on a route with a normal safety overlap, the 'X'-indicator is unlit:

The use of the 'X'-indicator for simultaneous entry to meets is currently used only on Hornbækbanen and on Nærumbanen.

Entry into short track

Entry into a short stub-end track is currently only used on Skagensbanen, in its terminus station Skagen. The station is rather long, and one entry route - for freight trains - is significantly shorter than the other two entry routes. The short entry route is signaled using the 'X':

The other two entry routes are signaled using normal signal aspects:

Entry into occupied platform track

A different use for the 'X'-indicator is found on Østbanen (at Hårlev) and at Gribskovbanen (at Kagerup), both junction stations where the line forks in two. These stations are designed to permit DMUs to split and join. When joining DMUs it is necessary for both trains to enter the same track. This is accomplished by having the first DMU enter the track on a normal entry route and stop at a designated location along the platform. When the entry route for the second DMU is set, the interlocking automatically detects that the platform track is occupied, and it then lights the 'X'-indicator when clearing the Entry Signal. On these stations, all entry routes are speed signaled at 40 km/h:

This use of the 'X'-indicator is really bending the rules, as entry to occupied tracks is not otherwise permitted in Denmark. It should be pointed out that the entry routes used are normal entry routes with safety overlaps, only with the special feature of lighting the 'X'-indicator if a specific track circuit is occupied.

Peculiarities

Since peculiarities are fairly common on the Private Lines, the above descriptions should cover this topic...

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