French practice

[Martin Shaw]

I was at Narbonne station this afternoon for half an hours nosey. A train to Perpignan awaiting a departure had a green signal with the leftmost of three horizontal white lights above the signal displayed. On the adjoining track which also had a green signal there were two of the white lights were showing. What do these white lights mean? Are they a speedindication?
Regards
Martin

[Frank]

Hello,

are the Signals looking like that ?
http://geillon.pagesperso-orange.fr/tra ... index.html

(French offical Signal Book)

Then it is Signal Les indicateurs de direction. (Way Signalling).

From 1 to 6 White Lights that mean Train go on Line A , B , C, D , E , F

[hmmueller]

Direct link to symbols
H.M.

[Martin Shaw]

Frank Harald

Thank you both for your input. What I saw was indeed "Le indicateurs de direction". Each of the 5 eastbound signals has the same three horizontal indicators so it makes sense. I guess it's sort of similar to UK feathers but without a proceed indication without a route indicator, if that's not too tortuous english.
Regards
Martin

[JRB]

The semaphore equivalent was also interesting - a stack of miniature arms.

[Richard Lemon]

Indeed. These were white fish tail arms, and just indicated direction - not a stop / proceed message! One arm inclined down at 45° for the left route, two arms down for the next towards the right etc.,
I am not aware that any survive.

Richard