The Hl System 

In East Germany, beginning from 1959 a new signalling system was introduced. As opposed to the Hp (main/distant signal) system the new system (also called the ОСЖД [OSShD] system from - Organisation for the Combined Operations of Railways) united the main signals in rear with the distants for the main signals in advance in one signal head. The upper two lamps of the signal indicate the ascpect to expect at the next signal. The lower part of the signal along with the amber or green dot lines indicates the speed valid from here on. You may regard the upper part as the distant and the lower part as the main signal. (Note: depending on your favourite font you may misread the system's name. It is H-L not H-one.)

• main aspects
• distant aspects
• all aspects
• EZMG signals
• examples

The aspects of the "main signal" (i.e. lower) part are:

max. speed	100 km/h	60 km/h	40 km/h
Hp 0: stop	Hp 0+Ra 12: shunting allowed	Hp 0+Zs 1: pass defective signal or at danger	Hl S: see below

Let me point out a few things:

• As for the 'max. speed' aspect, note that in the upper part one light will be either lit or flashing, so the signal is never dark.
• Whenever there is a speed limit in the block guarded by this signal, the lower amber light will be on. (That is, no lower amber-no speed limit, see above)
• The red light at the lower right is called the "Notrot" (emergency red) and will be used in case the Hauptrot (main red) fails.

The aspects of the "distant signal" (i.e. upper) part are:

expect clear	expect 100 km/h	expect 40 or 60 km/h	expect stop

An Hl main signal is identified by the main signal post plate below. If an Hl signal is used as distant signal only, it is equipped only with (at maximum) the two top lamps and the distant signal post plate is mounted below. Note that there may be distant signals having only one light, these could then show 'expect stop' or 'expect 40 or 60 km/h'.
An Hl signal serving as both main and distant signal was usually only identified by the main signal post plate, but from the 2000 rule book on these signals get a yellow triangle below the main signal post plate (just like the Ks combined signals).

For an overview of all Hl aspects see below.

You may come across a signal with two oval heads that may additionally carry a round lamp. These are Soviet-built EZMG signals that were used when there was a supply shortage on GDR-built devices. These signals display the same aspects as 'ordinary' Hl signals. The white lamp is the Zs 1 (Ersatzsignal/Substitution signal) that would be flashing in case the signal has to be passed at danger or defective. This signal may also display Hp 0+Ra 12. The lamp arrangement may vary, i.e. lamps not needed may be missing.

Let some examples explain the Hl system:

Hl signal showing aspect Hl 3a: 40 km/h from here on, expect clear at next signal	Hl signal used as distant only showing aspect Hl 7: expect 40 or 60 km/h at next signal	Distant signal repeater showing aspect Hl 1: expect clear

Other countries using the OSShD signalling system are all former COMECON countries and China, Iran, Korea, Vietnam. See also OSShD on this site or the official web site of the OSShD.

The signal heads and the arrangement of lamps in these countries vary, also some other aspects are used, e.g. Czechs and Slovaks use two different flashing intervals to show additional speeds, the lamps in Poland and Hungary are arranged in a vertical line, Poland uses one signal head while Hungary has two heads one above the other. However the aspects and meanings are very similar as you may verify.

Here I give examples of some OSShD signals:

DR Hl signal	DR EZMG signal	MÁV / Hungarian signal	PKP / Polish signal

All Hl Aspects:

Stop for pushing loco (Schubhalt)

home	home & distant signals	email
Hp signals		Ks signals