Railway signals in Finland

Main and distant signal on a signal mast, the distant signal applies to the following main signal. The resulting signal aspect is driving at 35 km / h, expect driving at 35 km / h .

The railway signals in Finland are railway signals that consist of fixed light signals. They are used together with the ATC train control system for train traffic on the Finnish railway network.

Main signals

The main signals, which are similar to the German H / V signals , can show the following signal aspects:

Signal aspect		meaning
	Stop	Stop in front of the signal. The signal may only be passed after the dispatcher has given permission or by means of dwarf signals.
	Free ride	The signal may be passed at the permitted speed.
	Drive at 35 km / h	The signal may be passed at a maximum of 35 km / h. The ATC cab display can allow a higher speed.

Main signals can also be equipped with only two lanterns that indicate stop or free travel . In addition, signals with a rounded screen at the top and bottom are also used, the signal lamps of which are also arranged vertically one above the other, in the same sequence, but in the middle.

Pre-signals

Advance signals, which are similar to the German H / V advance signals in compact design, are set up 1200 meters in front of a main signal. You can show the following signal images:

Signal aspect		meaning
	Expect stop	The following main signal is in stop position.
	Expect to drive at 35 km / h	The following main signal shows "Driving at 35 km / h".
	Free ride	The next main signal shows the term "free travel".

Advance signals of the old design have a round screen with two lanterns on top of each other. The upper white point of light indicates the term “wait stop” and the lower green one of the two travel terms on the main signal.

Block signals

Block signals can display the following signal aspects:

Signal aspect		meaning
	Stop	The signal must not be passed. Permission to drive past the signal can be given by dwarf signals.
	Drive, wait for a stop	The signal may be passed at the permitted speed. The following main signal is in stop position.
	Free ride	The following two block sections are free, the following main signal shows a travel concept.

Since around the 1990s, distant signal screens have been attached to the rear main signal, following the example of the old German Federal Railroad. Block signals with three light points have not been set up again since then.

Dwarf signals

This dwarf signal shows "stop"

A dwarf signal can display the following signal aspects:

Signal aspect		meaning
	Stop	The signal must not be passed.
	Drive with warning	The signal may be passed, but the route may be occupied by vehicles or trains. It is therefore important to drive carefully.
	Local permit	The signal may only be passed if permission to drive on the route has been passed.

A dwarf signal can also be set up in conjunction with the main signal. If the main signal does not show the signal aspect "Halt", the signal aspect "Drive with warning" lights up with the dwarf signal.

Bridge signals

A bridge signal that indicates the term "drive"

Bridge signals are small signals that are used to indicate the status of a moving bridge . It can display the following signal aspects:

Signal aspect		meaning
	Stop	The bridge is open and not secured, so the signal must not be passed.
	journey	The bridge is closed and secured. The signal may be passed.

Repeater

A repeater is a signal that repeatedly announces the aspect of a main signal. They are set up when the signal visibility is insufficient. Signal repeaters can display the following signal aspects:

Signal aspect	meaning
	The main signal indicates a hold.
	The main signal indicates a journey term.

Web links

Yhdistelmäopastin - järjestelmämäärittely. (PDF) Liikenneviraston oppaita 4/2014. Liikennevirasto, 2014, accessed February 11, 2018 (Finnish).
RAUTATIEJÄRJESTELMÄN OPASTE ISTA, OPASTIMISTA JA LIIKENNÖINTIIN LIITTYVISTÄ MERKEISTÄ. (PDF) Rautatievirasto, December 28, 2009, accessed on February 11, 2018 (Finnish).