Notice: the pictures are modified versions of ones taken from unknown Internet source, and show signals used in Poland.

Grzegorz Jagodziński

The Most Important Polish Railway Signals

Colour-light signals
speed
(km/h)		 by the next signalling device
full 100 60 or 40 stop
the same
as previously
only warning
full now
100 km/h now
60 km/h now
40 km/h now
stop!

Signals in the row “the same as previously” are repeating signals (or repeater signals), applied when the main signal is not visible easily (e.g. on curves). For a repeater, “the next signalling device” is another repeater (up to 3 repeaters may exist) or the semaphore whose signal is repeated.

Signals in the row “only warning” are shown on warning shields, not semaphores. The two types of the devices can be easily distinguished, note the colour of the post (mast, pillar) of the device, and see below.

There also exist, or existed in the past, other colour-light signals, being part of the old signalling system:
Free way with speed limit. Free way. By the next semaphore: free way with speed limit. Repeating signal: free way with speed limit on the main semaphore. Warning: free way with speed limit on the semaphore.

Replacement signal: you may go but with the speed limit of 40 km/h Shunting forbidden (on a shunting shield) Shunting allowed (on a shunting shield and on a semaphore)

Other signals

The list below is far from being complete

Signals on mechanical semaphores:

Stop! Free way Free way – with the speed limit of 40 km/h to the end of the junction district

“To the end of the junction district” means proceeding with the speed limit until the entire train clears all swiches (junctions) which are protected by the semaphore.

Signals on mechanical shields:

Warning: stop by the semaphore The semaphore shows free way The semaphore shows free way with speed limit

A shield which only warns against the semaphore nearby Shunting forbidden Shunting allowed

Signals of closing of the track, and way signals (temporary signals):

Stop! Free way (2 types) Warning: stop nearby Stop!

Junction signals (pointers):

The road is set as the bold line shows; no entry from directions marked with the red arrows.

The road is set as the bold line shows; no entry from directions marked with the red arrows.

Speed limits:

Speed limit nearby The start and the end of the section with the speed limit The start and the end of the section with no electricity taking

Notes:

  • the digit in the triangular sign marks the speed limit in tens km/h, e.g. 3 means the speed limit to 30 km/h, 13 – to 130 km/h;
  • the limit is valid starting from the V-like sign, and not from the sign with the digit; it ends by the turned-V-like sign;
  • orange signs are for temporary speed limits, white signs – for permanent limits;
  • the sign with the angle at the top is being placed low when there is no place for the normal sign.

Other pointers:

This is a shield, not semaphore Here the front of the train should stop No shunting beyond this sign 300, 200 and 100 m to a warning shield

Do the signal “warning” (a long blast of the siren) A passenger stop nearby, start breaking This is the last semaphore before the entrance semaphore



Links


One-track line in train simulators