SWITCH SIGNS (Wz)

'STRAIGHT ON SWITCH'

Usually illuminated lantarn colaborating with the switch. Used also at switch on a curve - in such case 'straight' means the curve with greater radius.

'SIDE-TRACK ON SWITCH'

Used also at switch on a curve - in such case 'straight' means the curve with smaller radius.

'NO PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH'

Whenever the switch isn't set for passing, Wz3 sign is observed from red arrow side.

'NO PASS THROUGH THE SWITCH ON DOUBLE-CURVE TRACK JUNCTION'

Whenever the switch isn't set for passing, Wz4 sign is observed from red arrow side.

'STRAIGHT FROM THE LEFT-SIDE TRACK BEFORE THE SWITCH TO THE RIGHT-SIDE AFTER THE SWITCH'

This sign is strictly connected with double-switch (so-called English-type switch). Small white arrows are usually illuminated during the night.

'STRAIGHT FROM THE RIGHT-SIDE TRACK BEFORE THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT-SIDE TRACK AFTER THE SWITCH'

'SIDE-PASS FROM LEFT-SIDE TRACK BEFORE THE SWITCH TO THE LEFT-SIDE TRACK AFTER THE SWITCH'

'SIDE-PASS FROM RIGHT-SIDE TRACK BEFORE THE SWITCH TO THE RIGHT-SIDE TRACK AFTER THE SWITCH'

OTHER SIGNS (W)

'FOREWARNING SIGNAL HERE'

Indicates the place the forewarning signal is set. Whenever the line is provided with 4-way automatic block control signals, W1 sign is conected with one before last automatic signal, before main signal.

'SET OUT DIRECTION'

Indicates the direction of junction leaving train. Usually illuminated letter points the name of the junction the train is leaving to. W2 sign is illuminated only when the semaphore gives ride allowance signal. (very rare sign)

'IGNORE THE SIGNAL'

W3 sign is placed at the base signal set on the right side of the track, whenever the base signal is not connected with this track.

'TRAIN HEAD HERE'

W4 sign is connected with passenger trains. It points the place where the head (the locomotive) of the train should be while stopping at the station or passenger stop.

'SHUNTING BORDER'

Points the border of the shunting. WIthout special permission, shunting locomotive cannot go further. Usually as a metal-late, not illuminated.

'GIVE Rp1-SIGNAL [warning]'

Whenever set, W6 sign orders to the loco-enginer giving Rp1 sound-signal, warning around about closing train.

'GIVE Rp1-SIGNAL [warning] BEFORE RAIL-ROAD CROSSING'

W5 sign orders to the loco-enginer giving Rp1 sound-signal, warning would-be cars about approaching to the rail-road crossing train.

'GIVE Rp1-SIGNAL [warning] AT THE TRACK CONSTRUCTION'

W5 sign orders to the loco-enginer giving Rp1 sound-signal, warning the workers at track construction ahead.

'SPEED LIMIT AHEAD'

W8 sign warns the loco-engineer about near-by permament speed-limit (in tens of given number, here - 60 km/h). The limit borders are pointed by W9 signs. Such limit (permament) is noted in special internal brochure (called 'WOS' = 'wykaz ostrzezen stalych', which means 'permament limits list') and usually taken into account while constructing the timetable.

'SPEED LIMIT BORDER'

The beggining (left) and the end (right) of permament speed limit.

'BEGIN PUSHING'

If train pushing is obligatory for the particular fragment of the line, W10a sign gives the order to start pushing in next 100 m (W10a is set 100m before).

'STOP PUSHING'

W10b orders to stop pushing the train and is set exactly at the place where the pusher has to stop pushing.

'FOREWARNING SIGNAL AHEAD'

W11a (there're three separate signs) are placed every 100m (exceptionally the distance can be decreased to 60m) from 3-stripped to 1-stripped sign before forewarning signal, or the main semaphore (only if the reflected signal is very difficult to see because of the landscape conditions). The signs can be rectangular-shaped or square-shaped, but taking one, all three signs must consequently keep the shape.

'FOREWARNING SIGNAL AHEAD - ELECTRIFIED LINE STARTS'

W11b (there're three separate signs) are placed every 100m (exceptionally the distance can be decreased to 60m) from 3-stripped to 1-stripped sign before forewarning signal of the station (or manually-controlled block) on which the electrified route starts. It means that one can meet such signs while going the unelectrified route and entering the electrified junction.

'RAIL-ROAD CROSSING FOREWARNING SIGNAL AHEAD'

W11p sign is placed 200 m before RR-crossing forewarning signal (Osp).

'WET THE ASH-BOX AND CLOSE ITS COVER'

W12 sign concerns steam locomotives and is placed 200 m before bridges and viaducts. The activity of wetting and closing the ash-box must be done at the place the sign is set.

'LIFT UP THE KNIFES AND CLOSE THE SIDE-WINGS OF THE SNOW-PLOUGH'

W13 sign (left) concerns snow-ploughs and points the places where snow-plough devices should be closed to avoid its damage (rail-road crossings, bridge, switch, any detector at the track). W13 sign is placed 50 m before such place. W13 is valid for any other service stock (like tamping machine, etc.).
W13 sign - right image - is set when two on-route obstacles are present within the distance of 150 m one from another.

'NON-PERMAMENT SPEED LIMIT BORDER'

The beggining (left) and the end (right) of non-permament speed limit. These signs are always connected with D6 sign presence before.

'SIGNAL ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACK'

If the local circumstances make the semaphore difficult to set in the place it should be posted, the semaphore can be placed on the other side of the track, with regard to W15 sign, which must be set at the place, the semaphore should be present. The black triangle must point the semaphore set on the other side (two possible ways, so two possible images of this sign).

'PASSENGER STOP IN A BRAKE-DISTANCE'

W16 sign is set in a brake distance from passenger stop to prepare the passenger train loco-engineer for stop.

'TRACK OCCUPANCY BORDER'

W17 sign points the place at the track-junction, to which the track can be occupied without collision to the stock on the next track.

'FOREWARNING SIGNAL EQUIVALENCY'

W18 sign is mounted at the last automatic block control semaphore before the main semaphore. By that, this last automatic block control semaphore becames the forewarning signal of the main station semaphore.

'SHORT DISTANCE BETWEEN NEXT TWO SIGNALS'

W19 sign (illuminated together with ride allowance signal) informs the distance between next two signals (given by the semaphores or forewarning signal and the semaphore) is smaller than estimated for that line brake distance.

'SHORT DISTANCE TO NEXT SIGNAL'

W20 sign (on the main semaphore or the forewarning signal) informs the distance to next semaphore is smaller than estimated for that line brake distance.

'SIDE TRACK PASS SPEED LIMIT THROUGH THE SWITCH'

W21 sign is concerned only with Sr3 mechanical semaphore signals (as one can reflect 40, 60 and 100 km/h on the light-semaphore) and points the speed limit (in tens of number reflected) in case of Sr3 signal giving. According to the rules, Sr3 is connected with 40 km/h always. In there's a possibility of going through the switch with greater than 40 km/h speed, the W21 sign is illuminated.

'FREIGHT TRAIN CAN IGNORE S1 GIVEN ON AUTOMATIC BLOCK CONTROL SIGNAL'

W22 sign let every heavy freight train ignore S1 signal ('stop') given by automatic block control semaphore. W22 sign is set on main lines where the gradient is greater than 6 ^o/_oo. The freight train may pass this semaphore with limited to 15 km/h speed.

'BEGGINING OF THE INSULATED TRACK/SWITCH SECTION'

W23 signs the place, the shunted stock should be stopped before, to make the ability of remote switch change.

'ENTERING THE WRONG TRACK OF TWO-TRACK ROUTE'

Usually illuminated together with ride allowance signal or together with 'Sz' signal (substituting signal), whenever the train enters the wrong track of two-track line.

'ELECTRIC HEATING OF THE CARS'

Numbers and horizontal arrows point the track. When illuminated, the electric heating is on (no entry). Sign image presented here is connected with two tracks provided with electric heating devices.

'ENTERING THE COMMUTER TRAIN TRACK'

Illuminated together with ride allowance signal, if the train will pass from main state line to commuter train line ('P' = podmiejski, in Polish).

'ENTERING THE MAIN STATE LINE TRACK'

Illuminated together with ride allowance signal, if the train will pass from commuter train line track to a main state line track ('D' = dalekobiezny, in Polish)..

'NEW MAXIMUM ROUTE SPEED'

W27 sign is set at every place the route speed changes. New maximum route speed is written in tens of km/h (in presented example the new maximum route speed is 120 km/h). Note: the maximum train speed is defined in internal train schedule and the train cannot proceed with the speed greater from indicated by W27 sign.

'TRAIN RADIO-COMMUNICATION CHANNEL CHANGE'

W28 signs the place of train radio-communication channel change. The new channel is defined by the number shown on the sign.

'CONNECT TO LINE TRAFFIC CONTROLLER'

W29 signs are used on few lines in Poland, on which the radio-remote traffic controlling was introduced. W29 sign is set usually 1600 m before the remote-controlled trainpass and orders the loco-engineer contacting the line traffic controller.

'SPEED RANGE WHILE PASSING THE WEIGHBRIDGE'

W30 orders to keep the speed within written range, while passing the weighting device.

'THE IMAGE OF THE SIGNAL IS NOT VALID'

W31 (white cross) is put onto the signal that has been canceled or is not yet valid.

'xxx m LONG PASSENGER TRAIN HEAD HERE'

W32 is put on the passenger stops and stations, to mark the place, where the head of the train should stop, if the train length (50 m grade on the sign) is close to the number shown on the sign.

SIGNS CONCERNING THE CATENARY (We)

'PREPARE FOR LOWERING THE PANTOGRAPHS'

We1 sign warns the electric-loco engineer about lowering the pantographs place. We1 sign is placed 500 m before any of We2-group signs. We1 sign representing also 60 km/h speed limit.

'LOWER THE PANTOGRAPHS REGARDLESS OF THE TRAIN DIRECTION'

We2a orders absolutely lowering the pantographs. We2a is set 100 m before the point passed with lowered pantographs.

We2-group signs are used in following cases:

• if a fragment of the catenary is off (to avoid would-be current breakdown),
• if there's a need to pass unelectrified fragment of the route,
• if there's a need to pass electrified fragment of the route, in case when the catenary cannot be accidentaly interacted by pantographs.

'LOWER THE PANTOGRAPHS IF GOING TO RIGHT-SIDE TRACK'

We2b orders lowering the pantographs if the electric stock moves to a right-side track. We2b is set 100 m before the point passed with lowered pantographs.

'LOWER THE PANTOGRAPHS IF GOING TO LEFT-SIDE TRACK'

We2c orders lowering the pantographs if the electric stock moves to a left-side track. We2b is set 100 m before the point passed with lowered pantographs.

'RAISE ELECTRIC MOTOR UNIT PANTOGRAPHS'

We3a lets raise the pantographs of the EMU, and is set 200 m after the place the pantographs could be raised.

'RAISE ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE PANTOGRAPHS'

We3b lets raise the pantographs of the electric locomotive, and is set 30 m after the place the pantographs could be raised.

'ENTERING THE ELECTRIC STOCK PROHIBITED REGARDLESS OF THE DIRECTION'

We4a prohibits absolutely entering any electric rolling stock regardless of the direction of going (straight, left or right). Prohibition can be caused by: catenary damage, repair, end, etc.

'ENTERING THE ELECTRIC STOCK PROHIBITED IF GOING RIGHT-SIDE TRACK'

We4b prohibits entering any electric rolling stock if going to a right-side track.

'ENTERING THE ELECTRIC STOCK PROHIBITED IF GOING LEFT-SIDE TRACK'

We4c prohibits entering any electric rolling stock if going to a left-side track.

'PASS WITHOUT CHARGING REGARDLESS OF THE DIRECTION'

We8a is set 30 m before catenary-section border or section-insulator and orders turning the loco/EMU off while passing.

'PASS WITHOUT CHARGING IF GOING RIGHT-SIDE TRACK'

We8b is set 30 m before catenary-section border or section-insulator and orders turning the loco/EMU off if passing to a right-side track.

'PASS WITHOUT CHARGING IF GOING LEFT-SIDE TRACK'

We8c is set 30 m before catenary-section border or section-insulator and orders turning the loco/EMU off if passing to a left-side track.

'TURN ON THE CHARGING OF ELECTRIC MOTOR UNIT'

We9a is set 200 m after the EMU can turn the charging on.

'TURN ON THE CHARGING OF ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE'

We9b is set in a distance between 30m and 100 m after the electric locomotive can turn the charging on.

'ELECTRIC MOTOR UNIT HEAD HERE, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF UNITS'

We12 is set (usually hung on the catenary above) at the point the EMU must stop its head (engineer cab) at the platform, regardless of the number of joint units.

'3-EMU TRAIN HEAD HERE'

We13 is set (usually hung on the catenary above) at the point the train consisting of 3 EMU must stop its head (engineer cab) at the platform. Of course, the number here should be considered as an example (usually one can spot: 1, 2, or 3).

SPECIAL SIGNS USED IN PARTICULAR PLACES (W)

'SPEED LIMIT WHILE PASSING THE RAIL WEIGHBRIDGE'

• W21wg sign with '0,5' number (illuminated together with reflecting ride allowance signal on the semaphore) is set at Hrubieszow Towarowy station and orders passing the weighbridge with limited to 5 km/h speed.
• W21wg sign with '0,8' number (illuminated together with reflecting ride allowance signal on the semaphore) is set at Dorohusk station and orders passing the weighbridge with limited to 3-8 km/h range speed.

'MAIN SEMAPHORE IN 500 m DISTANCE'

W2-WKD signs are set on WKD line (Warsaw Commuter Train - WKD = Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa, ex-EKD = Elektryczna Kolej Dojazdowa) ca. 500m before the semaphore.

'RAIL-ROAD CROSSING SIGNALIZATION DEVICES OK'

Wk-WKD signs are set on WKD line (Warsaw Commuter Train - WKD = Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa, ex-EKD = Elektryczna Kolej Dojazdowa) before the rail-road crossings. When the train is closing up to the crossing, the white light should be reflected if rr-crossing signalization devices are OK. If not, the EMU engineer should decrease the speed to 15 km/h and observe the crossing.