Australian Tagging Guidelines/Railway Signals
This page only describes how to tag railway signals. For general information about railways in Australia, see the Rail and Trains pages.
Signals are rendered on OpenRailwayMap, see here for an example.
All signals should have some standard tags which are not included in the tables below:
Heavy Rail
NSW
_GYR.svg)
_GR.svg){kind=small}
_YR.svg){kind=small}
_R.svg){kind=small}
_G.svg){kind=small}
_GR-GR.svg){kind=small}
_GR-GR_staggered.svg){kind=small}
_GYRg.svg){kind=small}
_GRg.svg){kind=small}
_YRg.svg){kind=small}
_GY.svg)
_Turnout_Route_L.svg)
_Turnout_Route_R.svg){kind=small}
_Turnout_Route_Off.svg){kind=small}
_Low_Speed.svg)
_Close_Up.svg)
_WYR.svg)
_WR.svg){kind=small}
_turnout_right.svg)
_turnout_left.svg){kind=small}
Full Example
|
Basic tags: 1. It states letters/numbers, therefore it's 2. There are two signal heads on this pole, this upper one is the 3. Include any extra words like 4. There are two signal heads on this pole, this lower one is the 5. It's green, so it must be a 6. Another route indicator, stencil-type 7. It's yellow and aligned with the signal post, so it must be a subsidiary 8. Non-standard sign, no defined tags. Use any OSM tags to describe it. |
Other Trackside Equipment
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-
-
![A CCTV screen for the guard to see the end of a curved platform. Use security=screen + surveilling:railway=platform_edge[15]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/NSW_Railway_Equipment_-_guards_screen.jpg/60px-NSW_Railway_Equipment_-_guards_screen.jpg)
A CCTV screen for the
guard to see the end of a curved platform. Use security=screen+surveilling:railway=platform_edge[15] -
-
-
Temporary speed restriction (TSR) signs. We don't map temporary features. -
![A computer screen visible to the public, running the 'Train Locator System' (TLS) software. Use security=screen + surveilling:railway=route[15]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/NSW_Train_Location_System_%28TLS%29_Viewer.jpg/120px-NSW_Train_Location_System_%28TLS%29_Viewer.jpg)
A computer screen visible to the public, running the 'Train Locator System' (TLS) software. Usesecurity=screen+surveilling:railway=route[15]
![A CCTV screen for the guard to see the end of a curved platform. Use security=screen + surveilling:railway=platform_edge[15]](/wiki/File:NSW_Railway_Equipment_-_guards_screen.jpg)
![A computer screen visible to the public, running the 'Train Locator System' (TLS) software. Use security=screen + surveilling:railway=route[15]](/wiki/File:NSW_Train_Location_System_(TLS)_Viewer.jpg)
NSW - Sydney Metro
| Category | Photo | Name | Tags | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
minor
|
|
Location Marker Board[16]: 6 | railway:signal:minor=AU:MNWSW:locationrailway:signal:minor:form=sign+ railway:signal:minor:caption=SYD_UPref=SI_2301
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|
|
Track Section Board | Don't map the sign, instead use railway:ref=* on the tracks to indicate the track section ID.
| ||
fouling_point
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Points Cleared[16]: 5 | railway:signal:fouling_point=AU:MNWSW:points_clearedrailway:signal:fouling_point:form=sign+ railway:signal:fouling_point:caption=6 Cars
|
|
main
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|
Point Position Indicator[16]: 2 | railway:signal:main=AU:MNWSW:points_indiciatorrailway:signal:main:form=light+ ref=SI_1801railway:signal:main:states=* - list the possible aspects:
|
|
route
|
|
Route Indicator[16]: 1 | railway:signal:route=AU:MNWSW:route_indicatorrailway:signal:route:form=light+ railway:signal:route:states=UP;DN;19railway:signal:route:states_long=Up Main;Down Main;Road 19Note: this would typically be combined into a single node with main above.
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|
stop
|
|
Fixed Red[16]: 6 | railway:signal:stop=AU:MNWSW:fixed_redrailway:signal:stop:form=lightcount=2
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|
| Other signs from the NSW section (above) can also be used, such as Stop[16]: 3 and Speed Limit[16]: 4–5 . | ||||
VIC
| Category | Diagram | Photo | Name | Tags | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
train_protection
|
.svg)
|
|
CBTC Block Marker[17]
|
railway:signal:train_protection=GB-NR:TVM-CBTC[note 4]railway:signal:train_protection:form=signrailway:signal:train_protection:type=block_marker+ railway:signal:train_protection:caption=SC3408railway:signal:position=* - what side of the track is the sign on:
|
|
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
Light Rail / Tram
Nation-wide
NSW
VIC
| Category | Photo | Name | Tags | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
electricity
|
|
Cut Off (for Section Isolation[25]) | railway:signal:electricity=AU:LightRail:VIC:cut_offrailway:signal:electricity:form=sign
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|
stop
|
|
Double solid yellow line (Compulsory Stop Mark[18]: 23 ) | railway:signal:stop=AU:LightRail:VIC:double_yellowrailway:signal:stop:form=sign
|
|
fouling_point
|
|
Single solid yellow line (Fouling Mark[18]: 25 ) | railway:signal:fouling_point=AU:LightRail:VIC:single_yellowrailway:signal:fouling_point:form=sign
|
ACT
| Category | Photo | Name | Tags | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
route
|
|
Set Route | railway:signal:route=AU:LightRail:ACT:set_routerailway:signal:route:form=sign
|
QLD
| Category | Photo | Name | Tags | Taginfo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
route
|
|
Select Points Now | railway:signal:route=AU:LightRail:QLD:set_routerailway:signal:route:form=sign
|
Other
-
![Traffic Lights with a T are controlled by the highway authority, not the railway authority.[19]: 9 Use highway=traffic_signals](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/AU-NSW_Light_Rail_traffic_light.svg/30px-AU-NSW_Light_Rail_traffic_light.svg.png)
Traffic Lights with aTare controlled by the highway authority, not the railway authority.[19]: 9 Usehighway=traffic_signals -
Temporary speed restriction (TSR) signs. We don't map temporary features.
![Traffic Lights with a T are controlled by the highway authority, not the railway authority.[19]: 9 Use highway=traffic_signals](/wiki/File:AU-NSW_Light_Rail_traffic_light.svg){kind=small}
Train Protection
Add these tags to the 
tracks:
- Dark Territory
- Train Order Working
- Using Track Warrants:
railway:twc=yes(Manual, WestCad, Ansaldo, Phoenix)[26] - Using Direct Traffic Control:
railway:dtc=yes[26] - Using TMACS:
railway:tmacs=yes[26] - Using ATMS:
railway:atms=yes[26]
- Using
- Token Territory
- Signalised Territory
- Automatic block signaling
- Rail-Vehicle Detection:
railway:tcb=yes[26] - Centralised Train Control:
railway:ctc=yes[26] - European Train Control System:
railway:etcs=1/2 - Communications-based Train Control:
railway:cbtc=uto/dto/sto - Train Protection & Warning System:
railway:tpws=yes(Vic only) - Automatic Train Control:
railway:atc=yes(Sydney L1 only[27]) - Automatic Train Protection:
railway:atp=yes(Perth only[28])
-
- Yard Working: not tagged
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 NSW is divided into two signaling regimes: Single Light and Double Light. Some signal components can only exist in one of the regimes.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Don't confuse Shunt Repeaters with mainline Position Light Repeaters, which look identical.
- ↑ Use the German tag until Proposal:Unified ETCS Signals (railway) is finalised
- ↑ Use the British tag until Proposal:Unified ETCS Signals (railway) is finalised
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 “ANSG 604 Indicators and Signs”. Australian Rail Track Corporation.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 “NSG 604 Indicators and Signs”. Railsafe.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 “Engineering (Signalling) Standard SDS 01 Signals”. Australian Rail Track Corporation. 25 August 2006.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 “NSG 600 Running signals”. RailSafe. 29 April 2017.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 “NSG 606 Responding to signals and signs”. Railsafe. 30 September 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 “ANSG 602 Shunting Signals”. Australian Rail Track Corporation.
- ↑ “ANSG 600 Running Signals”. Australian Rail Track Corporation. 11 October 2015.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Graham Vincent. “NSW Main Line Indicators”. SA Track and Signal.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 “Standard – TS 00017:1.0 – Speed Signs”. Transport for NSW. 21 November 2022.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 “Technical Direction – TD 00002:2021 – SPC 213 Trackside Signs”. Transport for NSW. 2021.
- ↑ “Regional Rail: Rail Infrastructure Upgrades – Car markers and balises – Environmental impact assessment checklist”. Transport for NSW. April 2024.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 “Technical Specification – TS 00012:1.0 – SPG 1210 Signalling Signage”. Transport for NSW. 21 November 2022.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 “NGE 216 Level crossings”. RailSafe. 04 May 2025.
- ↑ Kouparousos, G. (29 June 2012). “Technical Document – Harmonised ERTMS Marker Boards”. European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 “Suggested by User:Kovposch”. OSM Discord. 5 October 2025.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 “Rail Safety Rules MSG 604 Indicators and signs”. Metro Trains Sydney.
- ↑ Wong, Marcus. “CBTC block marker FSY772 at the up end of Footscray”. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 “Infrastructure - Signals – Design Construction and Maintenance Standard - Yarra Trams”.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 “Rail Signalling Principles for Light Rail Networks (T LR SC 08001 ST)”. Lead Signals and Control Systems Engineer: Transport for NSW. 29 July 2020.
- ↑ “4LRMS – Signaling Infrastructure – Light Rail Solutions”. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 “Explained to User:Kylenz by a (rather bemused) light rail driver”. October 2025.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 “Network Local Appendices”. RailSafe. May 2015.
- ↑ “YouTube timecode 00:01:30”.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 “Annual Report - Volume 1”. Transport for NSW. 2017–18.
- ↑ “Cut Off”. 20 June 2024.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 26.5 26.6 “Route Access Standard – General Information”. Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited. 29 October 24. pp. 35-37.
- ↑ Geier, Matthew (2002). “Sydney Light Rail”.
- ↑ “High Capacity Signalling”. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
