OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in France/Plates

Identification Plates

When encountering a signal displaying a steady red light, the driver must determine whether it is a Sémaphore or a Carré with an extinguished light.

Likewise, when encountering an extinguished signal, the driver must determine the most imperative state that could be indicated by this signal.

For this purpose, the signals are equipped with an identification plate and optionally a clearing light.

Following the most imperative state that a signal can present, the corresponding identification plate may bear one of the following inscriptions in white letters on a black background:

Inscription	Description
FR:NF	Carré signal (Non franchissable).
FR:F	Sémaphore that can be passed (Franchissable) at the driver's initiative under the conditions provided in the BAL or of a Flashing red light.
FR:PR	Sémaphore controlling the entry to a BAPR block.
FR:BM	Sémaphore controlling the entry to a BM block.

Cantonment Plates

Carré signals, which can open onto block sections other than BAL or service tracks, are also equipped with a cantonment plate (Plaque de cantonnement) in addition to the identification plate (FR:NF). The inscriptions are written in black letters on a white background.

Inscription	Description
FR:PR	BAPR vers xxx
FR:BM	BM vers xxx