Danish Signaling
Single track station without Exit Signals

Updated 990604

Contents

The Station Layout
Entering the Station
     The Entry Signal
     Entering Through Track
     Entering Siding
Through the Station
     Through Through Track
     Through Siding
Unmanned Station

Comments to this document

Maybe the best way to illustrate the special meaning of the station Entry Signal to Danish Signaling is to look at a station only equipped with the absolutely necessary signals and boards. The station is a simple station on a single track line, with a siding for meets. This type of signal arrangement was very widespread in the past but today only a few remain. Typical line speeds where this signal arrangement is/was used is 75km/h (app. 45 mph) or 100 km/h (app. 60 mph).

The Station Layout

The station shown below is a typical station on a single track line. The station has a siding for meets plus an unsignaled team track or maybe a spur to a local industry, though most such stations don't see freight service anymore. The station has platforms for passenger service.

The only main signals on the station are the Entry Signals. The Entry Signals in this example are shown as the simplest possible type to further bring forward a few oddities. If Distant Signals are installed, they are often the 2-lamp type, as illustrated here. Stopping Markers (Danish: Standsningsmærker) mark where a train entering the station should stop. The most straight track is the Through Track (Danish Gennemkørselsspor).

Entry Signals display the "Stop" (Danish: "Stop") aspect while the Distant Signals display "Caution" (Danish: "Kør Forsigtigt") when the station is in its normal state (i.e. no route set).

Trains stopped at the station may only depart after receiving the departure (hand) signal from the Station Master.

Entering the Station

The Entry Signal

The entry signal on this simple station can only give the following indications: The normal indication of a Station Entry signal is "Stop". On the simple sype of Entry Signal shown here, "Stop" is shown as steady red. A Distant Signal warning of an Entry Signal at "Stop" shows "Caution" (Danish: "Kør Forsigtigt").

"Proceed" allows a train to enter the station and proceed to its appropriate stopping place. The simple entry signal shown here does not indicate at what speed or through which route the train is to enter the station. This information is defined in the employee timetable and may not be changed without the train being informed. "Proceed" is shown a one steady green.

Entering Through Track

When an Entry Route (Danish: Indkørselstogvej) to the Trough Track is set, the station Entry Signal displays steady green, meaning "Proceed (at prescribed speed)" (Danish: "Kør"). This allows the train to enter the station at speed according to its prescribed track useage but preparing to stop at the station. Since permitted speed in the Through Track is 75 km/h or higher, the Distant Signal shows "Main Signal shows Proceed" (Danish: "Hovedsignalet viser kør").

Entering Siding

An Entry Route to the siding typically allows only for a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) or 60 km/h (40 mph) due to the turnout. The Entry Signal still shows "Proceed (at prescribed speed)" but since permitted speed is below 75 km/h, the Distant Signal shows "Caution".

Through the Station

Through Through Track

Trains are only allowed to pass through the station without stopping on the Through Track. The Entry Signal shows "Proceed Through (station)" in this situation, permitting the train to proceed through the station at prescribed speed. "Proceed Through" is shown as steady green over steady green.

"Proceed Through" indicates that a specific route is set, the so called Through Route (Danish: Gennemkørselstogvej). If a train scheduled to pass through the station must be stopped at the station instead, the train must be stopped at the Entry Signal and informed that it has to stop at the station. Only then can the train be signaled into the station by "Proceed".

The Distant Signal will show "Main Signal shows Proceed" (Danish: "Hovedsignalet viser kør"), regardless of the permitted speed in the Through Route.

Through Siding

Trains are not allowed to proceed through the station via the siding. Trains must be signaled into the station and then receive the departure hand signal from the Station Master.

Unmanned Station

Most stations without Exit Signals are/were located on secondary lines. In order to save manpower in intervals with little traffic, most such stations incorporate a feature to be an Unmanned Station (Danish: Ubetjent Station). An unmanned station is basically to be regarded as part of the line when unmanned. The employee timetable lists he times of day when a station is unmanned.

The unmanned station is marked to the train crews by a signal of 3 white lights in a triangle, being displayed from a special signal located next to the Through Track. The 3 white lights indicate to the train crew that the train may depart without permission from the Station master. The signal is sometimes referred to as a Xmas Tree (Danish: Juletræ), and is unlit when the station is manned. When unmanned, a special key permits both though routes to be set at the same time:

Signals remain cleared regardless of any train occupying the station, and routes does not release while being traversed by trains.

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