Distant beacon
Distant signal beacons (in Austria: distance signs ) announce a distant signal as an orientation aid , so that it can be perceived even at high speeds and in poor visibility. Often a further reflective stripe is attached over the black stripe in order to increase the visibility at night.
Use in Germany
Distant signal beacons belong to the secondary signals (Signal Ne 3 / So 4) with the meaning “A distant signal is to be expected”. They were set up in the mid-1920s and became mandatory for locomotive personnel on May 10, 1927.
In Germany there are usually three (up to five in confusing places) white boards with black stripes rising to the right (when approaching, first three, then two and finally one stripe, with five beacons accordingly more stripes). The last distant beacon in the direction of travel is 100 meters in front of the distant signal, the other beacons are each 75 meters apart. If the distant signal distance is shortened by more than 5%, the first beacon has a white triangle with a black border on its upper edge. With the H / V light signal system, a light pre-signal can also be attached to the same pole as a light main signal. This is often the case when the block spacing is the same as the braking distance on heavily traveled routes, and also practically always with entry signals from train stations. Here the distant signal shows the position of the exit signal in the track in which the route is set. If a distant signal is attached to the mast of a main signal, the distant signal board and beacons are not used because the driver expects a signal at this point anyway. In the more modern Hl and Ks signal system, the pre-signaling of the next main signal is integrated in the main signal aspect, so there is no special pre-signal. In the case of distant signals that refer to exit or intermediate signals in train stations, there are no distant beacons. They can generally be dispensed with on branch lines.
Advance signal in 100 m expected.
Advance signal in 175 m expected.
Advance signal in 250 m expected.
Use in Austria
The Austrian distance signs look the same as the distant beacons in Germany. At line speeds up to 60 km / h, one distance board should usually be set up, and at higher line speeds usually three. The distance between the boards or the last board and the distant signal is i. d. R. 80 m. Up to five distance boards are set up in places that are difficult to see.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (Ed.): Official Gazette of the Reichsbahndirektion in Mainz of April 30, 1927, No. 18. Announcement No. 258, p. 113.