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].

[20.1] Notice Board. Status: Current [20.2] Notice Board. Status: Current [20.3] Notice Board with Location Light. Status: Obsolescent

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 proceed [20.4 & 20.5]. Such notice boards will frequently be found affixed to signal posts.

[20.4] Notice Board at Start of Token Section. Status: Current [20.5] Notice Board at End of Token Section (e.g. RETB). Status: Current

Similarly, notice boards will often be installed where 'yard working' is in force [20.6 & 20.7].

[20.6] Notice Board at Start of Yard Working area. Status: Current Click Here for Photo [20.7] Notice Board at End of Yard Working area. Status: Current

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.

[20.8] Stop Lamp (GWR). Status: Obsolescent Click Here for Photo

In contrast to the GWR's "stop" lamps, most notice boards bearing the word "stop" carry some additional instructions [20.9]. These instructions must be complied with before any movement is permitted to pass the board.

[20.9] Stop Board. Status: Obsolescent

In more recent years, 'Stop boards' were afforded a special status, particularly since they were increasingly being used on running lines (at level crossings, for example). The instruction to stop was emphasised by the word being set against a large red disc [20.10]. By 1976, the word "stop" would be placed underneath the red disc [20.11].

[20.10] Stop Board. Status: Obsolescent Click Here for Photo [20.11] Stop Board. Status: Current

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 [20.12], 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 has a supplementary sign with additional instructions relating to two AHB level crossings in the section ahead [20.13].

[20.12] Stop Board with Supplementary Sign. Status: Current [20.13] Stop Board with Supplementary Sign (Borth). Status: Current

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