signal box
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signal box
A technical facility on the railway from which points and signals for a specific track area are set and monitored in order to guide train traffic safely.
Wegen einer Störung im Stellwerk kommt es heute zu erheblichen Verspätungen im Bahnverkehr.
Because of a fault in the signal box, there are significant delays in rail traffic today.
The word is made up of the verb 'stellen' (to set) and the noun 'Werk' (here in the sense of technical facility). A 'Stellwerk' (signal box) is therefore a facility with which points and signals are 'gestellt' (set).
Von diesem zentralen Stellwerk aus wird der gesamte Bahnhof gesteuert.
The entire station is controlled from this central signal box.
The most common combination you will hear in everyday life is 'Störung im Stellwerk' (fault in the signal box). This is a standard railway announcement used to explain delays or train cancellations.
Sehr geehrte Fahrgäste, wegen einer Störung im Stellwerk hat unser Zug zurzeit 20 Minuten Verspätung.
Dear passengers, due to a fault in the signal box, our train is currently delayed by 20 minutes.
The word 'Stellwerk' (signal box) is used exclusively in the context of railways and rail transport. It is a technical term, but one that most people in Germany know.
Moderne digitale Stellwerke können den Zugverkehr viel effizienter leiten als alte mechanische.
Modern digital signal boxes can manage train traffic much more efficiently than old mechanical ones.
dispatch center
Leitstelle and Stellwerk both help control traffic safely. A Leitstelle centrally coordinates operations or deployments and directs the personnel involved, while a Stellwerk locally operates the points and signals in a section of track. Use Leitstelle for central coordination and Stellwerk for the technical railway facility.
Im Stellwerk stellte der Mitarbeiter die Weichen für den einfahrenden Zug.
In the signal box, the employee set the points for the approaching train.
Die Leitstelle schickte nach dem Notruf sofort einen Rettungswagen zum Unfallort.
The dispatch center immediately sent an ambulance to the scene of the accident after the emergency call.
