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Where a signal has been provided with a special surround to make it more conspicuous (see [8.25]), this is usually done in conjunction with other measures, such as the provision of additional signs in the signal's vicinity. In December 1996, two consecutive signals on the Up Slow line between Millbrook and Southampton (numbers E750 and E744) were each provided with a blue plate worded "Up Slow" [8.37] directly below their main signal heads, which had blue and white striped surrounds. Where a platform starting signal has been given a special surround, there will typically be one or more signs nearby worded "check signal" [8.38 - 8.40], positioned so as to be visible to a driver in the cab while stopped at the station.
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[8.37] Line Reminder Sign.
Area: Millbrook - Southampton Usage: Low Status: Uncertain |
[8.38] "Check Signal" Sign.
Area: Southern Zone Usage: Low Status: Historical |
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[8.39] "Check Signal" Sign.
Area: North West Zone Usage: Low Status: Uncertain |
[8.40] "Check Signal" Sign.
Area: Midlands Zone Usage: Low Status: Uncertain |
In March 1998, 'station ahead' boards of a new design were installed on the Up direction approach to Falkirk High station (Scotland Zone). Two boards were provided, one after the other, each comprising a plain white triangular board with a red border, surmounting a supplementary plate. The first plate reads "station ahead" [8.41], while the second one also gives the distance to the station [8.42]. The name of the station is not stated on either sign.
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[8.41] "Station Ahead" Board (Outer board).
Area: Scotland Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
[8.42] "Station Ahead" Board (Inner board).
Area: Scotland Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
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Signal reminder boards were provided on approach to many more 'high risk' signals from 1998, but only within some Railtrack zones. Those on the East Anglia Zone were in the same format as the one previously provided at Wickford (see [8.34]), including two consecutive boards installed on approach to Up Suburban line signal L100 at Bethnal Green (at 200 metres and 100 metres on approach). Signal reminder boards installed in the Scotland, North West and Midlands Zones were similar to the one previously installed in the Scotland Zone (see [8.35]).
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In November 1998, a signal reminder board was installed on approach to signal L487 on the Down Electric line at Shenfield. This board was similar to others previously provided on the East Anglia Zone (see [8.34]), but its supplementary sign had a yellow background [8.43]. |
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Position light shunting signal number W1123 is located beyond the carriage washing machine at Wimbledon Depot. Sighting of the signal is obscured by the washing machine. To draw drivers' attention to the signal, a large board worded "beware 1123" was erected on the approach [8.44]. In April 2001, the board was replaced in a slightly different position by a similar board with a much enlarged text size. A similar but smaller sign was subsequently provided for the opposing position light signal, number W1124. |
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A signal reminder board with a supplementary sign worded "signal ahead" (see [8.35]) was installed on approach to signal SJ89 at Stourbridge Junction (Midlands Zone) in March 1999. Following drivers' comments, the supplementary sign was altered in April of the same year to include the relevant signal number [8.45], and the triangular part of the sign was increased in size.
Some signal reminder boards with a supplementary sign reading "signal ahead" have an additional plate stating the distance to the signal [8.46].
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[8.45] Signal Reminder Board (e.g. refers to signal number SJ89).
Area: Midlands Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
[8.46] Signal Reminder Board.
Area: Scotland and North West Zones Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
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A signal that possessed one of the worst SPAD incidence records in the whole country was signal number WS307 at Harrow & Wealdstone (Midlands Zone). This is a position light shunting signal controlling the exit from the reversing siding to the north of the station, on the DC electrified line. London Underground Bakerloo Line trains regularly run into this siding to turn back before heading south again. 'Train ready to start' plungers are provided at the signal, but on several occasions, the LUL drivers had pressed the plunger then set off without checking the signal's aspect. The initial course of action, implemented in July 1999, was to elevate the signal to drivers' eye level and to fit a board worded "obey signal WS307" to the signal post [8.47]. |
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In August 1999, signal reminder boards with a yellow background were installed at Largin and St. Austell on the Great Western Zone. The supplementary sign at each board states the distance to the signal ahead as well as its number [8.48].
Signal reminder boards installed on the Midlands Zone from later in 1999 have a supplementary sign that states the distance to the signal ahead as well as its number [8.49].
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[8.48] Signal Reminder Board.
Area: Great Western Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
[8.49] Signal Reminder Board.
Area: Midlands Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
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DRA reminder signs were provided at Ashtead and Balham stations (Southern Zone) in 1999 for trial purposes. These comprised small signs placed near the car stop markers (see Section 21), worded "D.R.A. reminder" and bearing a picture of a red signal [8.50]. This acts as a reminder to the driver to set the 'driver's reminder appliance' (DRA) if the platform starting signal (where provided) is at 'danger' or if the previous signal was displaying 'caution' (where no platform starting signal is provided). From 2001, DRA reminder signs were provided at a number of stations operated by South West Trains. Similar signs have subsequently been provided in some other areas. |
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Signal T22 on the Up London Bridge Slow line at Norwood Junction (Southern Zone) was one of the worst multi-SPAD signals. As a mitigation measure, countdown markers (see [8.21]) were installed on its approach in October 1999. Additionally, the outer countdown marker, which was about 300 metres from the signal, was accompanied by a line reminder sign stating the signal number [8.51]. A similar sign was also placed on the Up London Bridge Fast line approaching signal T20, which is mounted to the right of T22 on the same gantry. A further line reminder sign, with a yellow background [8.52], was placed immediately alongside signal T22.
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[8.51] Line Reminder Sign.
Area: Norwood Junction Usage: Low Status: Historical |
[8.52] Line Reminder Sign.
Area: Norwood Junction Usage: Low Status: Historical |
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From October 1999, the Scotland Zone began installing signal reminder boards with a yellow background to the triangular part of the sign [8.53], some of which supplanted boards of an earlier design. Where a board related to a platform starting signal and was situated close to it, the "signal ahead" wording on the supplementary sign was replaced by a large arrow, which pointed towards the track [8.54].
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[8.53] Signal Reminder Board.
Area: Scotland Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
[8.54] Signal Reminder Board.
Area: Scotland Zone Usage: Low Status: Obsolescent |
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In November 1999, signal distance information boards were provided on the approach to two signals on the Midlands Zone, NS344 at Smethwick Galton Bridge and NN6 at Nuneaton. The distance to the signal, and its number, were stated on the board, which had a red border [8.55]. |
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To help distinguish the line of approach to signal RY152 at Rugby, the support of the overbridge immediately behind the signal was coloured with alternate blue and white bands [8.56]. This was done in December 1999, following a number of SPADs at the adjacent signal, number RY151, which was positioned to the right of RY152 on the same gantry. |
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