Sh Signals

Protection Signals

Introduction

These signals are located mainly in station and yard areas, and are known as Schutzsignale (Protection Signals). As their name implies, the primary purpose of these signals is to protect trains from entering closed tracks, overrunning defective main signals, or other dangerous situations. Only the first three signals, Sh0-2, are physical protective stop signals that are either permanently or temporarily installed. The second half, signals Sh3-5, are visible or audible emergency stop signals issued to locomotive engineers by railroad personnel.

The first pair in this group are the most common, and represent the yard/shunting signal with aspects Sh0 and Sh1. These are color light or mechanical signals that may either permit or prohibit shunting movements. For train operations, which are those movements that extend past the station limits, these signals can not grant the permission to proceed. This permission is given by a main signal, such as an entry or exit signal, that is used together with the yard signal. For example, a yard signal which indicates a permission to proceed (Sh1) may be blocked by a main signal set to Stop. In this case, only shunting movements would be permitted to proceed past these signals. In contrast, a yard signal displaying Stop (Sh0) would override a main signal set to Proceed or Proceed Slowly, and no movement of any kind would be permitted past these signals. In all cases, the signals indicate only that the track ahead is passable, the final order to proceed must be granted by the shunting service manager or drive service manager.

Signal Descriptions

Sh0		*Stop (Fahrverbot)* - Train and shunting movements are forbidden to proceed past this point, the following track section is closed. Shunting movements may proceed by verbal order.
Sh1		*Prohibition Lifted (Fahrverbot aufgehoben)* - Train and shunting movements may proceed into the following track section. (The order to proceed for train movements remains governed by the main signal and the drive service manager's consent.)
Sh2		*Protective Stop Board (Schutz-Halttafel)* - Indicates a temporarily closed track, an unscheduled stop, or an emergency stop in place of a defective main signal. Placed a minimum of 50m ahead of the protected area. If used at night, the signal is equipped with a red light. Signal is not valid if rotated flat, or not lit at night. Also used as a protection signal at moveable bridges, buffers, and water spouts.
Sh3		*Circular Signal (Kreissignal)* - Indicates immediate danger or an emergency stop. Counter-clockwise signal using a red&white signalling flag, lamp, torch, or arm movement. If the signal may not be clearly seen by the engineer, then signals Sh4 and Sh5 are used.
Sh4		*Detonation Signal (Knallsignal)* - Indicates immediate danger or an emergency stop. Three small detonators are placed at 30m intervals on the right-hand rail at braking distance from the point of danger, activated by the train as it passes over them. Used only when visual emergency signals are not possible.
Sh5		*Horn & Whistle Signal (Horn-Pfeifsignal)* - Indicates immediate danger or an emergency stop. Three short tones repeated many times. Used when visual emergency signals are not possible.

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