Warning device (1; 1'; 1"; 1′′′) for a rail vehicle, comprising at least the following components: - an error detection apparatus, which is designed to detect at least one error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - an image memory, which contains a number of images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) indicating the actual condition of a rail vehicle, wherein the images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) are designed as image symbols (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5), - a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) from the image memory depending on a detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - at least one user interface with at least one display unit, - wherein the user interface comprises an input unit (10; 10') for detecting a text display command and the input unit is integrated within the display unit, - a display control unit for controlling the display unit in such a way that, in order to warn a vehicle driver, the image (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) selected depending on the detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit, - an error text memory, which contains a number of error information texts (FT1; FT2; FT3) for different error conditions (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - a second selection unit for selecting at least one of the error information texts (FT1; FT2; FT3) of the error text memory depending on the error condition of the rail vehicle, - wherein the display control unit is designed in such a way that, in order to warn a vehicle driver, the error information text (FT1; FT2, FT3) selected depending on the detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit - in such a way that when detecting an error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, initially, the image (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) selected depending on the error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit and only when a text display command is detected is the error information text (FT1; FT2; FT3) selected depending on the error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) output on the display unit. - an error detection apparatus, which is designed to detect at least one error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - an image memory, which contains a number of images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) indicating the actual condition of a rail vehicle, wherein the images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) are designed as image symbols (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5), - a first selection unit for selecting at least one of the images (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) from the image memory depending on a detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - at least one user interface with at least one display unit, - wherein the user interface comprises an input unit (10; 10') for detecting a text display command and the input unit is integrated within the display unit, - a display control unit for controlling the display unit in such a way that, in order to warn a vehicle driver, the image (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) selected depending on the detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit, - an error text memory, which contains a number of error information texts (FT1; FT2; FT3) for different error conditions (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, - a second selection unit for selecting at least one of the error information texts (FT1; FT2; FT3) of the error text memory depending on the error condition of the rail vehicle, - wherein the display control unit is designed in such a way that, in order to warn a vehicle driver, the error information text (FT1; FT2, FT3) selected depending on the detected error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit - in such a way that when detecting an error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) of the rail vehicle, initially, the image (S1; S2; S3; S4; S5) selected depending on the error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) is output on the display unit and only when a text display command is detected is the error information text (FT1; FT2; FT3) selected depending on the error condition (FZ1; FZ2; FZg) output on the display unit.