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Section 20
Section 20: Notice Boards
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A notice board conveys information or gives instructions by words, where no standard sign exists for the required purpose. The wording on the board can range from simple pieces of information [20.1] to instructions that are verging on verbose [20.2]. Some early notice boards were fitted with a white light for location purposes [20.3].
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[20.1] Notice Board.
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[20.2] Notice Board.
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[20.3] Notice Board with Location Light.
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A particular situation where a notice board would commonly be provided is where the method of working changes to or from a signalling system that requires the driver to obtain a staff or token as authority to occupy the section of line ahead [20.4 & 20.5]. Such notice boards will frequently be found affixed to signal posts.
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[20.4] Notice Board at Start of Token Section.
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[20.5] Notice Board at End of Token Section (e.g. RETB).
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Similarly, notice boards will often be installed where 'yard working' is in force [20.6 & 20.7].
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[20.6] Notice Board at Start of Yard Working area.
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[20.7] Notice Board at End of Yard Working area.
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The Great Western Railway installed "Stop" lamps in yard areas [20.8]. No movement was permitted to pass a stop lamp unless authorised by the shunter.
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In contrast to the GWR's "stop" lamps, most notice boards bearing the word "stop" carry some additional instructions [20.9 - 20.11]. These instructions must be complied with before any movement is permitted to pass the board.
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[20.9] Stop Board (London Midland Region).
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[20.10] Stop Board (Eastern Region).
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[20.11] Stop Board (Southern Region).
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Since the late 1960s, 'stop boards' have been accorded a special status, particularly since they were increasingly being installed on running lines (at level crossings, for example). The instruction to stop was emphasised by the word being set against a large red disc [20.12]. By 1976, the word "stop" would be placed underneath the red disc [20.13].
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[20.12] Stop Board.
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[20.13] Stop Board.
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A stop board installed at the entrance to a section worked by the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) system may be provided with a supplementary sign, coloured yellow [20.14], if located at an intermediate token exchange point. This indicates that the stop board does not apply to drivers in possession of a 'long section' token. The Up direction stop board at Borth on the Cambrian Line had a supplementary sign with additional instructions relating to two AHB level crossings in the section ahead [20.15].
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[20.14] Stop Board with Supplementary Sign.
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[20.15] Stop Board with Supplementary Sign (Borth).
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