Point Signals
Weichensignale

There are different kinds of points:

• Normale Weiche / normal points have a straight and a curved track
• Innenbogenweiche ("inward curved points") / curved points have two tracks that are curved to the same side, one stronger and one lesser curved.
• Außenbogenweiche ("outward curved points") / Y points have two tracks curved into opposite directions.
• Einfache Kreuzungsweiche (EKW / "simple cross-points") / single slip points are X-shaped points where you can go straight or curved from one track.
• Doppelte Kreuzungsweiche (DKW / "double cross-points") / double slip points are X-shaped points where you can go straight or curved from either track.
• Rückfallweiche ("fall-back points") / spring-loaded points can be travelled from either one of the converging tracks, regardless of its setting. These are used on some DR small gauge tracks only.

See also:

• Colours of lever weights.
• Also, the signal "derailer is off" is regarded as a points signal

A note for you Gringo folks: Especially regarding points, US American terminology differs from British terminology, which I am using here. You guys call points a switch. You may look at my terminology page.

The point position indicators are small boxes which can rotate about 90° about their vertical axis. They are either transparently illuminated or equipped with reflectors. The indicators for diamond points do not rotate, instead the white fields are covered by black blinds that hide or uncover the respective fields, or reflective arms are moved appropriately.

Recently light point signals were invented, these are also shown here. At light Wn signals, at least one light (on federal railways, two lights) are flashing while the point is moving or defective.

Einfache Weichen und Innenbogenweichen  Normal and curved points
ID	aspect	description
Wn 1	(mechanical)   (light signal)	Gerader Zweig. / Straight track. On a curved point, the lesser curved track The light signal may also have its lights on the right side.
Wn 2	(facing points) (trailing points)   (light signal)	Gebogener Zweig / Curved track left or right. On a curved point, the stronger curved track. As far as I know the light signals gives no indication whether the turn goes left or right (methinks this is very useful at Y points...)
Außenbogenweichen Y points
Wn 2	(facing points)     (trailing points)	Curved track left or right.
Doppelte Kreuzungsweichen Double Slip Points
Wn 3		Straight from left to right
Wn 4		Straight from right to left
Wn 5		Curved from left to left
Wn 6		Curved from right to right
Gleissperren Derailers
Wn 7	mechanical-front mechanical-rear	Gleissperre ist abgelegt / Derailer is off the track. This does not constitute a permission nor an order to proceed.
Rückfallweichen Spring-loaded points
Wn 1 Wn 2	example:	Position indicators like the ones for ordinary points, but orange instead of black background
Mit der Ril 301 Bekanntgabe 3 vom 23.4.2010 wurden die Rückfallweichensignale geändert. Hier die neuen Signalbegriffe: With communication no. 3 of the Signal Book, dated 23 April 2010, the signals for spring-loaded points have been changed. Here you see the new aspects:
Ne 12		Ankündigungsbake: Signalbegriff am folgenden Ne 13 prüfen Announcement board: driver has to check which aspect is displayed by the following Ne 13 signal
Ne 13a		Überwachungssignal einer Rückfallweiche: Weiche ist gegen die Spitze befahrbar Protection signal for a spring-loaded point: Point can be travelled facing.
Ne 13b		Vor der Weichenspitze anhalten und Befahrbarkeit prüfen. Stop in front of point and make sure that point can be travelled facing, switch the point back and forth if necessary, then proceed at pace rate. Also communicate this fact to the signalman immediately.
...dieses sind die alten Begriffe, die möglicherweise noch eine Zeitlang zu sehen sind ...and these were the old aspects, which you may continue to see for some time
So 17		Ankündigungsbake: Signalbegriff am folgenden So 18 prüfen Announcement board: driver has to check which aspect is displayed by the following So 18 signal
So 18a		Überwachungssignal einer Rückfallweiche: Weiche ist gegen die Spitze befahrbar Protection signal for a spring-loaded point: Point can be travelled facing.
So 18b		Vor der Weichenspitze anhalten und Befahrbarkeit prüfen. Stop in front of point and make sure that point can be travelled facing.

At manually operated points, the lever weights are marked with colours giving certain information:

weight colouring	indication
	base position: black half downwards ("Dreck zu Dreck" - "dirt facing dirt")
	operate only with permission of signalman
	no default position
	spring-loaded points
	points without locking device

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