Mast shield
In Germany and Austria, mast signs are colored markings on the main light signals that regulate the behavior of the driver when the signal is indicating a stop, is disturbed or is extinguished. It guarantees safe driving in the event of a signal failure. Shape signals have so-called mast plates instead of mast signs . They are used to make the wing signal easier to recognize, but are of no significance in terms of driving duties.
Germany
Mast signs
| designation | description | meaning | image |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-red-white mast sign | A white-red-white, high rectangular mast sign, or a red triangle pointing upwards on a white background ( DV ) | Trains are only allowed to pass a light signal marked with this mast sign on Zs 1 , Zs 7 , Zs 8 , verbal orders if Zs 12 is present or on written orders . Shunting runs are only allowed to pass with the consent of the responsible point keeper . |
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| White-yellow-white-yellow-white mast sign | A tall, rectangular mast sign with white and yellow stripes. | Trains are allowed to drive past a light signal marked with this mast sign if it is not possible to communicate with the dispatcher after stopping , and must drive on sight until the next main signal. The dispatcher must be informed as soon as possible, at the latest at the next train station, that the journey will continue. In the DV area, main signals with this mast sign also have a distant signal function . |
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| White-black-white-black-white mast sign | A white and black striped, high rectangular mast sign. | At a main light signal marked with this mast sign, trains are allowed to pass by sight after stopping in front of the signal without consent to travel. This mast sign is only used on the S-Bahn Berlin and S-Bahn Hamburg , the respective guidelines must be observed for driving past. Main signals with this mast sign also have a distant signal function. |
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| Red mast sign | A red, tall, rectangular mast sign. | Trains are only allowed to pass a main light signal marked with this mast sign on Zs 1, Zs 8, verbal orders if Zs 12 is present or on written orders to travel on sight. This mast sign is only used on the Berlin S-Bahn. The guidelines of Ril 432 of the S-Bahn Berlin apply to behavior after driving past. |
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| White mast sign with two black dots (DV) | A tall, rectangular, white mast sign with two black dots. | Trains are only allowed to pass a light signal marked with this mast sign and showing stop. If the signal Ra 12 (DV) shows or has gone out, it has no meaning for trains. |
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| Yellow mast sign | A yellow triangle pointing downwards. | Ks signals on which there is a white, red and white mast sign and which also have a distant signal function are marked with this mast sign. It is always located under the white-red-white mast sign. In the area of the DV, light pre-signals can be equipped with this mast sign instead of the pre-signal board. In practice, this only happened with the Ks pre-signals of the first electronic interlockings built. |
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Repeaters
| designation | description | meaning | image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distant signal repeater (DV) | A square white board with a black border and a black ring. | Advance signal repeaters in the area of the DV, which are not marked by a white additional light, are equipped with this sign on the mast. |
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| Watchdog repeater | A square black board with a white border and a white circle. | If a monitoring signal is repeated (signals for level crossings), this is indicated by a monitoring signal repeater on the mast. |
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Austria
In Austria, all main and protective signals have a reflective, white-red-white mast sign. If the red light fails, the mast sign calls for a stop . For signals on signal bridges and for dwarf signals , the mast sign is attached directly to the signal screen.
On electrified lines, the last three catenary masts in front of a main signal are marked with white, red and white markings. On non-electrified lines, such boards can be set up free-standing to announce main signals.
Web links
- Further information on the mast signs at www.stellwerke.de