Signalschablone 3.0
Table of contents
Schematic site plans are often drawn to illustrate railway infrastructure issues. AutoCAD’s block feature is useful for creating symbols, but AutoCAD is not a program designed for quickly and easily creating site plans. Visio offers a similar concept that is better suited to the Windows environment.
The Signal Template 3.0 I developed contains the most important symbols for signalling site plans and overview plans (1:1000) in accordance with DB Guideline 819.9002A01 “Symbols for PlanPro Output Formats.” Starting with version 3.0, this provides you with the original sizes as required for “Digital LST Planning.” Additionally, it includes some older symbols required for existing systems. Due to differences in size, mixing symbols from previous versions with the new signal template is not recommended.
I am offering the signal template here as a free download. Please note the license terms (see below)! I would appreciate it if you would send me any plans created using this template.
In practice, there have been several requests to use the symbols for construction stages in red and yellow as well. Unfortunately, in Visio, the layer controls allow you to adjust only the line color, not the fill color. For this reason, the most important symbols have been created in red and yellow in a child template called “Signal Template—Construction.” It is included in the ZIP file. The “Signal Template—Construction” is always derived from the current signal template and is versioned in parallel.
Musterbahnhof (nur zur Veranschaulichung der Möglichkeiten)
Creation Guidelines
To ensure consistency, the following rules—which are not covered by the symbols—must be observed when drawing the plans:
- Parallel tracks should be drawn at a distance of 5 mm (corresponds to one square at 100% zoom).
- Tracks may only be drawn at an angle of n · 45°.
- Signals should be placed 2 mm away from the track, ensuring clear identification when multiple tracks are present. (This works best at 400% zoom.)
- A sans-serif font must be used.
- For dimension arrows, only the triangular, filled tip should be used.
Even if the drawing is to be used at a larger scale, it must first be created according to these rules. When inserting it into a word processor, for example, the entire drawing can then be scaled to its final size while maintaining the aspect ratio (recommended: 120%). Always save the Visio drawing at its original size!
Notes for Version 2.0 and later
Track Markers
The symbols (“shapes”) are organized in a layer structure. The “Track Boundary Marker” layer determines whether the boundary marker is displayed or not. It is recommended not to display the boundary marker, as in an overview plan, the boundary markers are often displayed incorrectly when tracks intersect (overlap yes/no).
Turnout Triangle
Stauchung des Weichensymbols
Most types of simple turnouts are represented in the site plan symbol by an equilateral triangle. Why is a right-angled triangle used in the signal template?
The turnouts in the signal template are only suitable for overview maps. Overview maps of railway facilities are compressed along the kilometer axis. This also compresses the turnout symbols, which, after compression, almost form a right-angled triangle (see figure). Since the compression occurs along the kilometer axis, the end of the turnout must be perpendicular to it.
Download Signal Template 3.0
The template is subject to ongoing development. Suggestions and feedback are welcome. The meaning and use of the symbols are described, among other places, in the book *Railway Safety *.
Signal Template 3.0 including Signal Template Construction 3.0 (zip)
Signal Template by Ulrich Maschek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-ND 4.0).
Copyright Notice: What does “Attribution” mean in practice?
It is sufficient for graphics created with the Signal Template to include the following copyright notice:
Created with signalschablone.maschexx.de
If the creator of the drawing is also to be named, the source citation may also read:
[Siggi Signaler] using signalschablone.maschexx.de
In a work (e.g., a student paper, a guideline, a book) that contains multiple graphics created using the Signal Template, it is sufficient to place the attribution in a prominent location.
History
New in Version 3.0 (2026)
- Removal of the concept of linking the signal label to the signal
- Direction and Direction Indicators (new)
- Lf disc (new)
- Signal operator’s panel without posts for mounting at the track end
- Multiple vehicle sensors
- Turnout lantern
- Turnout actuator
- Point test contact
- Electrically controlled switch
- Self-resetting switch
- Electrically operated self-resetting switch
- Symbol for indicating the speed on a track section (in km/h)
- Turnout position indicator
- Double track lock (remotely controlled and mechanically operated on-site)
- Speed monitoring with double-track magnet
- Main and side tracks overlap
- Train route destination with passage excluded
- OB panel
- Movable buffer stop
- Buffer stop that can be moved and retracted
- Crossing
- Other track terminations
- Track Construction Area
- Control center
- Level crossing control house
- Control House (new)
- EEA module
- Track Field Splitter
- Field Element Junction Box
- Field Element Junction Cabinet
- Infrastructure boundary
- Three-track railroad crossing
New in Version 2.1 (2021)
- ETCS stop sign without pole (for mounting on main signals)
- Block identifier
- Railroad crossing monitoring signal (ÜS)
- ÜS repeater
- ÜS with reduced braking distance
- Advance signal beacons
- M sign
- Corner sign (obsolete)
New in Version 2.0 (2014)
- Introduction of a layer structure
- Signal symbols with the designation integrated into the symbol
- Edit by double-clicking
- The label always remains upright even after the symbol is rotated
- Mechanically positioned turnout
- Block signal for integration into a Ks signal
- Supplementary panel
- Revision of all symbols with hatching
New in Version 1.7 (2012, based on Ril 819.9002 dated May 1, 2012)
- Separate Zs 3 and Zs 3v, now also available as form signals
- Direction and advance direction indicators
- Opposite-track indicators (light and semaphore)
- Dead-end track and early stop indicators (light and shape)
- Caution signal
- Identification/auxiliary light
- Revision of stop signal
- Departure Signal
- Stop indicator
- LZB indicator
- ETCS Stop Sign
- Assignment board
- Waiting signal with shunting signal
- Revision of Lf signals
- Direction arrow
- Announcement and monitoring signal for a fallback switch
- Level crossing rail contact
- Locally set track closure
- Track closure signal
- Revision of PZB solenoids
- Balise and balise group
- Track symbol "without overhead wire"
- Various symbols for signal box buildings
- External and internal key locks
- Lock
- Control console (exterior and interior)
New in Version 1.6 (2009)
- Train coverage signal
- Route indicator
- Control and local control area boundary
- H-shaped, cross, trapezoidal, and stop signs
- Revision of the shunting stop sign
New in Version 1.5 (2007)
- Additional symbols for generating a DKW from two EWs
- Symbol for a parked vehicle
- Revision of track magnets
- Revision of platform symbols
- Revised Lf signals
New in Version 1.4 (2006)
- H/V light signals
- Replacement Signal
- Rotation of Main Signal Forms
- Form Advance Signals
- Single-sided insulated joint
- Rail contact
- Additional symbols for signal box structures
- Barrier symbol (1:1000)
New in Version 1.3 (2005)
- Level crossing symbols (1:200)
New in Version 1.2 (2004)
- High-level signal
- Shunting stop and proceed signal
New in Version 1.1 (2002)
- Standard main signals
- PZB
Version 1.0 (2000)
The signal template is being developed to standardize schematic layout diagrams in the IfEV.