Japanese Railway Signals - Fixed Signals - Main Signals - Shunting Signal

Shunting Signal

A shunting signal (入換信号機, irekae shingōki) is for car shunting in sidings and car depots; it is not used for trains in operation. A shunting signal has a protected section, and a train can proceed past the signal under 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) (25 kilometres per hour (16 mph) if the train passes a non-interlocked turnout).

There are two types of shunting signal: position (灯列式, tōretsushiki) and color (色灯式, shikitōshiki). The position of two lighted bulbs indicates the position-type signal. This type is used primarily on JR and third-sector railways. In the color type, green means go and red stop. Color-type shunting signals are used primarily on private railways and subways; a narrow vertical signal is often used, due to narrow tunnels.

In position-shunting signals, "go" consists of two white diagonal lights and "stop" consists of red and white horizontal lights. The two-color type uses LEDs. When the shunting signal identification sign (入換信号機識別標識, irekae shingōki shikibetsu hyōshiki) is on, the indicator is a shunting signal; when the sign is off, the indicator is a shunting sign. The shunting-signal identification sign is installed below the position light.

A shunting sign (入換標識, irekae hyōshiki or—more briefly—入標, irehyō) is not a signal; therefore, its diagonal indicator is not "go" but "open" (開通, kaitsū). A shunting sign does not have a protected section. A shunting signal is absolute, but a shunting sign is a permissive. A train may pass a shunting sign reading "stop" only if the train is accompanied by a shunting staff; its locomotive displays a shunting car sign (入換動力車標識, irekae douryokusha hyōshiki)—a single red light at both ends—at night. In some systems, shunting-signal identification signs are omitted; instead, a shunting sign uses purple (instead of white) lights in a shunting signal.

A train is allowed to travel under 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph)—a lone locomotive may travel under 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) if it does not pass non-interlocked turnouts—under a shunting sign. A stop sign may be installed just before a shunting signal (or sign) for safety.