A recurring problem is unexpectedly exceeding the speed limit. See in this example - the speed limit is 80kph in 0.6km but it drops to 80kph as soon as I pass this signal. Is this me missing some signalling/speed limit by the trackside? I appreciate that the double yellow means there is a red ahead. I did spot the advance warning of a speed limit before. PS. This is in Germany on the "Freight to Riesa" scenario.
A little bit further on is the 80kph restriction itself: And at the end of the platform, just before the marshalling yard is another double yellow where the limit drops to 40kph whereas the HUD says 60kph. As I type this, I'm thinking more that the speed limits shown on the HUD are the maximums if the signals were on green and this double yellow is another restriction.
You do not say which PZB mode you are in but since you are running a freight scenario, it must be at least mode M. If that is the case, the double yellow warns of a stop ahead and you must acknowledge and reduce speed initially to 65kph within 29 seconds and then to 45kph before the 500hz magnet. In the second set of photos the signal appears to be giving you a 20kph warning. The signals override line speed.
Correct. I don't have Dresden-Riesa and I haven't seen double yellow yet. Might be what you say, a combined signal. Typically a single yellow is used to combine clear + advance danger, while green-yellow combination means a speed restriction. Quite possibly this is a combination. On the preceding (advance) signal you should see some indication about the speed limit. In German signalling fixed tables often override the meaning of dynamic (light) signals, which is something I consider quirky. (60 + clear = 60, 60 + reduced = 60, reduced = 40) So ultimately it's more about learning the individual locations and routes, as you'd do in real life with an instructor by your side.
The former east german signalling (HL signalling) system is not like the west german (Hv signalling) system. Very far from it. Iirc there is an explanation in the manual for the route. The bottom half is the main signal, the top half is the distant signal. Main signal (yellow with yellow line) means 60km from this point. Distant signal (yellow) means next signal is red. Here is a video: There are a couple of users here that are very good at the three german signalling systems. Feel free to tag me, if you need answers re signalling and PZB.
Going from memory. East german HL signal system. Lower half of the signal can show 4 things. Nothing: drive with highest allowed speed (called line speed). Yellow: limit 40 Yellow with yellow line 60 Yellow with green line 100 Upper half of the signal can show 4 things. Green: next signal allows line speed. Blinking green: next signal limits speed to 100 Blinking yellow: next signal limits speed to 60 or 40 Yellow: next signal is red. Red obviously means Stop. That gives a total of 17 possible aspects. Very unique to eastern europe is that there is no green light for pass. Green is ONLY used if the next signal allows line speed. It takes a bit to wrap your head around that, since it defies conventions of most signal systems. But basically, if a signal is NOT red, it can be passed. Hence no need for a green equivalent.
Rob Nicholson You seem to be expecting that German Signal as the same as the UK which they are not. They show Speed Signalling that applies from the Signal and not where the speed actually changes This might help you understand the different aspects and how to drive on German/Austrian railways
Can’t see the video, but often they do not cover the HL signal system, in which case it will not help the op at all. See my rundown of it in the post above this. If anyone watches this video beware: PZB and LZB are NOT signalling systems. They are protection systems.
The post was to show other signals that you would encounter on the German and Austrian railways From the comment about the Signal showing a "Double Yellow" showed the OP was new to the system There is a page for HL Signalling - https://www.sh1.org/eisenbahn/shhl.htm
Ahh ok. I missed that you were providing additional info. My bad. One KEY info that the video get’s wrong: In Germany you must ALWAYS acknowledge ANY signal that warns of speedlimits from 95 to 0 (aka stop). No matter if it is protected by a magnet or not. All signals (trackside signs, distant signals, repeaters) that warns of 95 and below must be acknowledged. Without exception. (Except this one: if you are driving under LZB supervision). That goes for all 4 signalling systems. Hv Ks HL and Sk.
Austria is mostly like the Hv signalling system. But Germany has two other systems as well. Ks and HL (which os the one discussed in this thread). It actually has one more (Sk signalling) but it’s not being used in TSC. Anyway. Feel free to ask.
