...

What "classic" means would have to be determined per signal type. If it is unclear a better name has to be found obviously. So a "classic" H/V light signal would be something different then a "classic" Sr light signal.

Is there any name in use distinguishing old H/V from currently typical H/V?

Or is simply "classic" being used?

It would be nice to avoid problem in say in 15 years when traffic signal shapes will change again.

Ending with "classic" value being used for shape not used at all anymore and new "classic" shape being tagged somehow, but not as "classic" value

https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Counterintuitive_key_names is long enough :)

Luckily it's actually no problem for those signals as no new versions of them are build anymore. New signal installations use the Ks system, and given the push to ETCS and signalling in the cab there are even tracks completely without track signals meanwhile, and expect their number to slowly increase.

Back to H/V: there are (to my knowledge) actually only these 2 versions of the H/V distant signal, not counting special tunnel versions. Even those mounted at platform roofs are at all places I know actually using exactly those shapes.

There are much more versions of the H/V main signals, this is an entirely different story. While "compact" will be used in that list, too, there are several older versions.

Railway people, do we have or need a different name for H/V distant signal "classic" shape? Suggestions?

Eike