Section 17: Signs concerning Natural Hazards
(Page 1 of 1)
Certain stretches of line that run alongside areas of forestation are subject to a specially high fire risk. Lineside signs may be erected at the commencement and termination of such zones. The commencement sign is a yellow disc depicting a black conifer [17.1] and the termination sign has a vertical black band [17.2].
 |
 |
[17.1] Entrance to zone of specially high fire risk.
|
[17.2] Exit from zone of specially high fire risk.
|
Certain areas are prone to problems with low rail adhesion due to leaf fall. From 1999, warning signs were erected at known problem locations on the Midlands Zone. The first sign is an advance warning sign, consisting of a motorway-style flashing indicator alternately displaying "Poor" then "Adhesion" [17.3]. This sign will only be illuminated when poor adhesion conditions are known to exist at the site ahead. Fixed lineside signs are erected at the commencement [17.4] and termination [17.5] of the low adhesion site.
 |
 |
 |
[17.3] Low Adhesion Site Advance Warning Sign (Midlands Zone).
|
[17.4] Low Adhesion Site Commencement Board (Midlands Zone).
|
[17.5] Low Adhesion Site Termination Board (Midlands Zone).
|
A similar series of signs may be installed at locations on the Midlands Zone (e.g. Blisworth) where high winds are deemed to present a problem [17.6 - 17.8].
 |
 |
 |
|
[17.6] High Wind Site Advance Warning Sign (Midlands Zone).
|
[17.7] High Wind Site Commencement Board (Midlands Zone).
|
[17.8] High Wind Site Termination Board (Midlands Zone).
|
From 1999, signs were installed at sites of low rail adhesion in the Reading area (Great Western Zone) and the Sussex area (Southern Zone). These comprise a commencement board [17.9] and a termination board [17.10]. There is no advance warning sign on the approach to the site.
 |
 |
[17.9] Low Rail Adhesion Site Commencement Board.
|
[17.10] Low Rail Adhesion Site Termination Board.
|
From 2000, signs were installed at low adhesion sites in the Scotland Zone. The commencement board [17.11] advises the distance over which poor adhesion can be expected. At the exit from the site, a termination board is provided [17.12].
 |
 |
|
[17.11] Low Rail Adhesion Site Commencement Board (Scotland Zone).
|
[17.12] Low Rail Adhesion Site Termination Board (Scotland Zone).
|
From 2000, signs of a different design were erected at low rail adhesion sites across the East Anglia Zone. These comprise a commencement sign [17.13] and a termination sign [17.14], both of which are exhibited to drivers only during the low adhesion season. Both signs have a centre hinge allowing them to be closed at other times of the year so that a plain grey triangle is all that is visible. The same signs are used on railways in South Wales.
 |
 |
|
[17.13] Low Rail Adhesion Site Commencement Sign.
|
[17.14] Low Rail Adhesion Site Termination Sign.
|
In 2002, pairs of signs were installed at three low adhesion sites in the vicinity of Apperley Junction (Eastern Region). These applied only to drivers of Arriva Trains (subsequently Northern Rail), in connection with their defensive driving instructions at low adhesion sites. At each of the three sites, a sign with a yellow border [17.15] was followed by one with a red border [17.16]. These signs are removed and reinstated annually, as they only apply during the low adhesion season.
 |
 |
|
[17.15] "Low Adhesion" Sign.
|
[17.16] "Low Adhesion" Sign.
|
Part of the Cambrian Coast Line between Llanaber and Talybont stations runs alongside a sea wall. During strong winds or high tides, a speed restriction of 30 m.p.h. may be imposed over part of this section. Special signs were erected in July 2007 to mark the beginning [17.17] and end [17.18] of the affected section of line. Normally, these signs can be disregarded. On occasions when the restriction is in force, the driver of each train will be verbally advised by the signalman at the previous token exchange point.
 |
 |
[17.17] Weather Related Speed Restriction Commencement Sign.
|
[17.18] Weather Related Speed Restriction Termination Sign.
|
|
In October 2007, experimental low rail adhesion warning signs were put on trial on the approaches to Linlithgow and Polmont stations on the Edinburgh & Glasgow Line. Normally the sign is closed and not visible to drivers. In the event of poor adhesion being reported, the sign will be opened to display a warning message [17.19].
|
 |
|
[17.19] Low Rail Adhesion Warning Sign.
|
|
