Finnish railway signalling

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Finnish railway signalling: a simple guide

Finland uses color-light signals and fixed signs to control train movements. It also uses Automatic Train Control (ATP-VR/RHK), a safety system built on EBICAB 900 (also known as JKV in Finnish).

Main signals
- Stop: The train must not pass.
- Proceed: The train may pass at the line’s maximum speed.
- Proceed 35: The train may pass, but a speed limit of 35 km/h applies until the next main signal (the route may diverge). An onboard ATC display can allow a higher speed in some cases.
- Old Helsinki note: Some older signals used two lamps with red on top and green beneath.

Distant signals
- Location: At least 1,200 metres before the main signal; they can also be on the same post as the main signal.
- If the distant signal shows a certain aspect, the main signal will show the corresponding next action.
- Possible aspects:
- Expect Stop: The next signal will show Stop (the train may head toward a track or end of line).
- Expect Proceed: The next signal will show Proceed.
- Expect 35: The next signal will show Proceed 35.
- Expect other than Proceed: The next main signal may show Stop, Proceed 35, Exception, or Coupling.

Block and related signals
- Block signals show three main states:
- Stop: The train must not pass.
- Proceed, expect stop: The next signal will show Stop.
- Proceed: The next signal is clear.
- These signals are being phased out and replaced by combinations of main and distant signals.

Dwarf signals
- Used for shunting (moving rail cars around).
- They can show Stop or Proceed.
- If the nearby main signal shows any aspect other than Stop, the dwarf signal will show Proceed.

Bridge signals
- Used for movable bridges.
- They can show Stop (bridge open, train must not pass), Signal cancelled (bridge closed, train may pass), or Proceed (bridge is open for passage).

Repeaters
- In places where the main signal isn’t clearly visible, repeaters show the same aspect as the main signal.

Helsinki Metro
- The Helsinki Metro uses different signals from the regular railway system.
- Main signals (sometimes shown with three lights) can indicate:
- Stop: Do not pass.
- Proceed: Pass at the maximum allowed speed.
- Proceed 35: Pass with the speed limit of 35 km/h; the train may go onto a diverging track.
- Coupling: The track may be occupied or ending; speed limit after the signal is 20 km/h.
- Exception: Drive under driver’s responsibility; speed limit after the signal is 20 km/h.
- Distant signals for the Metro include:
- Expect other than Proceed: The next main signal could be Stop, Proceed 35, Exception, or Coupling.
- Expect Proceed: The next main signal will show Proceed.

In short, Finnish railway signalling uses a mix of main signals, distant signals, and supporting signs to tell drivers when to stop, go, or slow down, with special rules for shunting, bridges, and the Helsinki Metro.