Section 16: Signs at Level Crossings

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Until the 1960s, virtually all level crossings in Britain were protected by gates, as a consequence of the legal requirement that the railways be 'fenced in'. Some of these crossings were, in addition, protected by fixed signals although in many cases only distant signals were provided, the red 'targets' on the gates serving as stop signals. The Great Eastern Railway had distinctive 'Gate' distant arms [16.1 & 16.2] that could be cleared when the gates were closed across the roadway. When the arm was 'on', the driver had to be prepared to stop short of the level crossing.

[16.1] Gate Distant Signal ('on') (GER).	[16.2] Gate Distant Signal ('off') (GER).

The Dornoch Light Railway opened in 1902. Three level crossings on the line were protected by a semaphore signal that applied to trains in both directions. Each signal had just one arm, with a distinctive pointed end, both sides of which were coloured red with a white 'vee' [16.3 & 16.4].

[16.3] Level Crossing Signal ('on') (Dornoch Light Railway).	[16.4] Level Crossing Signal ('off') (Dornoch Light Railway).

Following new legislation in 1954, gates gradually began to give way to lifting barriers. In some places, neither gates nor barriers were installed. These 'open' level crossings introduced a range of new signs to the railway. The first sign encountered by train drivers is the advance warning board [16.5], located at full braking distance to the crossing. This sign can now be used at any type of level crossing that is operated or monitored by the traincrew.

[16.5] Advance Warning Board ( (a) - with Betalight strips; (b) - floodlit or reflectorised ).

At open level crossings where trains were not required to stop, a combined speed restriction and whistle board [16.6] was erected displaying the speed to be observed approaching the crossing. Some crossings have differential speed restrictions [16.7]. The crossing speed depended on sighting conditions and there could be a different speed in either direction. On passing the speed board, the driver must make sure that the crossing can be seen to be unobstructed. With these special speed restrictions, the driver may accelerate once the front of the train has passed over the crossing.

[16.6] Combined Speed Restriction/Whistle Board.	[16.7] Combined Speed Restriction/Whistle Board (differential speed restriction).

At level crossings where trains are required to stop before proceeding, stop boards were provided (see Section 20). On the approach to each stop board (normally 200 metres), an 'advance stop board', later to be known as an 'intermediate board' was installed [16.8]. This sign bears a horizontal black bar on a white circular background and thus resembles a banner repeater signal fixed in the 'on' position (see [7.37]). Note that trains may be required to stop in one direction or both directions depending on the circumstances at a particular level crossing. Provision of intermediate boards was discontinued from c.1978.

[16.8] Advance Stop Board or Intermediate Board.

Some open crossings simply had "Give Way" signs to warn road traffic, while others were given the extra protection of flashing road lights. At the latter type (which subsequently became known as "Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored" (AOCL) ), a white light is provided on each rail approach, which is normally extinguished but flashes to indicate to train drivers that the road lights are operating [16.9]. The driver must check that the white light is flashing on passing the speed restriction board (see [16.6 & 16.7]). The train may then proceed over the crossing provided it is not obstructed. The first AOCL was commissioned at Yafforth (North Eastern Region), in 1963.

[16.9] Driver's White Light.

At AOCLs where the road crosses two tracks, it was a requirement that a second train must not arrive at the crossing within one minute of the previous train having cleared it. One way of meeting this requirement was to provide a "Wait" sign [16.10] near each flashing white light unit. This will be illuminated if another train is using the crossing. A second train must not proceed until the "Wait" sign has been extinguished and the white light is flashing.

[16.10] "Wait" Indication.

Another type of level crossing is the "Trainman Operated Crossing" (TMO). At these, the traincrew are required to open and close the gates (or operate the barriers) themselves. Ordinary distant signals fixed at 'caution' could be provided on each rail approach, or alternatively an advance warning board (see [16.5]) could be used.

Where TMO crossings have lifting barriers instead of gates, flashing white lights (see [16.9]) are used to indicate that the barriers have been lowered across the road. At some crossings of this type, the barriers rise automatically after the train has passed. Beyond the crossing, an indicator may be provided which shows "BU" to advise the driver that the barriers are up [16.11]. If the indicator has not illuminated by the time the train is about to pass it, the train must stop and the barriers be raised manually.

[16.11] 'Barriers Up' Indication.

An audible warning device for road users was to be provided as a standard feature at AOCL crossings, obviating the requirement for train drivers to sound the whistle or horn. Accordingly, a new sign was proposed for use at AOCLs to replace the combined speed restriction / whistle boards (see [16.6 & 16.7]), although the latter would remain in use for open crossings without lights. The new experimental sign [16.12] was tested at Battlesbridge (Eastern Region) in 1978. Following the tests, it was decided to alter the signs to have a solid black cross [16.13 & 16.14].

[16.12] Experimental Speed Restriction Sign for a Locally Monitored Crossing.	[16.13] Speed Restriction Sign for a Locally Monitored Crossing.	[16.14] Differential Speed Restriction Sign for a Locally Monitored Crossing.

From c.1984, certain automatic level crossings on double track railways were fitted with controls to enable them to operate during single line working without the need for local control. At these crossings, speed restriction signs are installed for any wrong-direction movements towards the crossing [16.15]. The speed restriction applies approaching and passing over the crossing. This may apply to level crossings of the types AHB, AOCR and MWL/MSL.

[16.15] Automatic Level Crossing Wrong Direction Movement Speed Restriction Sign.

As discussed in Section 13, non-standard differential speed restrictions are signed in a unique manner on the Great Eastern Line and its branches (see [13.60 & 13.61]). The same system of speed presentation is used on signs associated with locally monitored level crossings in that area [16.16].

[16.16] Non-standard Differential Speed Restriction Sign for a Locally Monitored Crossing.

A new form of level crossing known as "Automatic Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored" (ABCL) was introduced following the publication of the Stott report, which came after a collision on an AOCR at Lockington (Eastern Region) on 26 July 1986. The ABCL is essentially an AOCL equipped with half-barriers, but one further enhancement was to introduce a flashing red aspect [16.17] in conjunction with the driver's white light (see [16.9]). If the flashing red light is exhibited, drivers are required to stop short of the crossing and not proceed over it until satisfied that it is safe to do so. The first ABCL to be commissioned was at Beccles (Anglia Region) in c.1991. Subsequently, the Railway Inspectorate decided that flashing red aspects should in future be provided at AOCLs, in addition to ABCLs.

[16.17] Flashing Red Aspect.

From 1998, experimental notice boards were provided on the rail approaches to certain user-worked level crossings in the Scotland Zone. These show the name and mileage of the crossing concerned [16.18].

In 2000, level crossing identification plates were fitted at user-worked level crossings with telephones on the Cambrian Lines (Midlands Zone). The signs display a unique level crossing number [16.19].

[16.18] Level Crossing Identification Sign (Scotland Zone).	[16.19] Level Crossing Identification Plate (Midlands Zone).

In 2003, a new design of combined speed restriction / whistle board was introduced, for use at Open crossings. Unlike the former design (see [16.6]), the speed is shown in black characters on a white background [16.20]. This brings the sign into conformity with other speed restriction signs that have black characters for speeds given in miles per hour, the black background now being reserved for metric signs (see Section 13).

[16.20] Combined Speed Restriction/Whistle Board.

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