The virtual Ril 301 - how German railway signals work

Introduction

In order to describe the operational processes of railway traffic, it is necessary to move away from comparisons with road transport. Due to the long braking distance of the trains, it is not possible for them to travel with the same sight distance as on the road. They therefore need an instance that gives them a stop or run order at a sufficient distance: a signal.

In Germany, various railway signals have been developed for the safe operation of the railways. A signal is defined as a stationary or mobile device that transmits information about the next section of track to the driver. All signals and their signal aspects - all available display options for a signal - in the German railway network are set out in Regulation Ril 301, the so-called Signal Book.

Classification

Railroad signals can be classified according to their function and appearance

Classification according to function

Main signals (Hauptsignale): These are used to indicate to the driver whether and at what speed he may pass the next section of track
Distant signals (Vorsignale): These announce to the train driver the term of the main signal in the braking distance
Multi-section signals (Mehrabschnittssignale): combine the function of the main and distant signal at one signal, i.e. already announce the position of the next signal
Additional and other signals: supplement the information of the main signals and fulfill other tasks
Visual and acoustic signals (Handzeichen, akustische Signale): these are given by whistles, horns or movable signal boards by the railroad personnel and are used, for example, for stopping trains in an emergency

Classification according to appearance

Semaphore signal (Formsignal): represents the signal aspect with up to two movable signal arms or signal disks.
Color light signal (Lichtsignal): uses various multicolored illuminated optics to display the signal terms
Additional signals (Zusatzsignale): these are located at main signals and distant signals and provide additional information to the signal term, for example a speed indication.
Other stationary signals: this particularly large group of signals includes all signals - usually reflective signal boards - that are not assignable to main signals or distant signals on the open track
Visual and acoustic signals (Handzeichen, akustische Signale): these are given by whistles, horns or movable signal boards by the railroad personnel and are used, for example, for stopping trains in an emergency

Signal systems in Germany

Over the past 150 years, a wide variety of signaling systems have been developed in Germany on the basis of the above classifications. These are listed in the following table. It is important to understand that many signaling systems cannot be assigned to just one category, overlap to some extent or are barely present or no longer present at all.

Note: detailed articles are only available in the wiki for the signaling systems that are implemented in the game.

Short name	Full name	Type	Aspects
H/V	Haupt-, und Vorsignale Main signals and distant signals	Main-, & distant signals Early semaphores, later color light signals	Hp 0-2 Vr 0-2
Hl	Hauptlichtsignale Main light signals	Main-, & distant signals, multi-section signals	Hp0, Hl 1-12b
Ks	Kombinationssignale Combination signals	Main-, & distant signals, multi-section signals	Hp0 Ks 1-2
Sk	Signalkombinationen Signal combinations	Main-, & distant signals, multi-section signals	Hp0 Sk 1-2
Sv	Signalverbindungen Connected signals	Only multi-section signals	Hp0, Sv 0-6
Zs	Zusatzsignale Additional signals
Ts	Signale für Schiebelokomotiven und Sperrfahrten Signals for banking locomotives and blocking movements
Lf	Langsamfahrsignale Slow speed signals
Sh	Schutzhaltesignale Protective stop signals
Ra	Rangiersignale Shunting signals
Wn	Weichensignale Switch signals
Zp	Signale des Zugpersonals Signals of the railway personnel
El	Signale für die elektrische Zugförderung Signals for electric trains
Zg	Signale an Zügen Signals on trains
Fz	Signale an einzelnen Fahrzeugen Signals on individual vehicles
Ro	Rottenwarnsignale Signals to warn track workers
Ne / So	Nebensignale / Sonstige Signale Other signals
Bü	Signale für Bahnübergange Signals for level crossings
-	Orientierungszeichen Orientation marks