signals Germany
- H = Hauptsignale = Main Signal
- V = Vorsignale = Distant Signal
- Colour light signals are accompanied by a board for instances if lights fail. H = Mastchild board. V = Ne 2 board (except if repeater or on a main signal head.
- Red = stop = Hp0
- Green = clear normal speed = Hp1
- Green over Yellow = clear reduced speed (40 km/h) or 2 x 45 degree arms = Hp2. Reduced speed limit end can be indicated by up pointing arrow.
- Main signals have their own distant signal which in manual signal days were worked from the same lever.
- Yellow yellow = next signal is at stop = Vr0 = Apply brakes immediately.
- Green green = next signal shows clear normal speed = Vr1
- Green yellow = next signal shows clear reduced speed = Vr2
- Shunting signals, mainly yard exits can be incorporated into the main rectangular signal head.
- Zs 1, Zs 7, Zs 8
- Zs 1 = three white lights in a triangle pointing up = proceed at no more than 40 km/h despite what main signal or lack of any signal indicates to allow passing faulty signals or interlocking.
- Zs 2 = Direction indicator - usually the first letter of the next station. Zs 2v is a yellow letter on a distant signal giving the same information for the next main signal.
- Zs 3 = Speed indicator - a tenth of the speed limit in km/h. Zs 3v is the same for distant signals warning of upcoming speed limit. Speed limit end can be indicated by an up pointing arrow sign.
- Zs 6 = indicator to driver of diversion to wrong line - diversion to left line.
- Zs 7 = Caution. Three yellow lights in a triangle pointing down. Clear to pass signal, but at a maximum of 40km/h and be prepared to stop before any obstacle. The line is not inferred as being clear.
- Zs 8 = Against track crossing signal replacement. Three flashing white lights in a triangle to indicate that a signal at red may be passed when wrong line working. At points, no more than 40 km/h. Otherwise 100km/h to next station.
- Zs 10 = ending sign = up pointing arrow. Speed limit finishes when end of train passes sign.
- Halt signals are protected by a 2000Hz magnet. This may be overridden if it is a Zs 1, Zs 7 or Zs 8 or verbally approved by a signalman by pressing the PZB override button.
- A halt signal may also be protected by a preceeding 500 Hz magnet to ensure that the train is travelling at a speed that allows it to stop before the red signal.
- Distant aspects showing other than clear normal speed are protected by a 1000 Hz magnet. This must be acknowledged by the driver and appopriate braking applied.