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Section 25: Miscellaneous Signs and Indicators

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From 1999, trackside bridge I.D. signs were fitted, on a trial basis, at certain underbridges (rail over road) on the London North Eastern Zone. The signs were designed to enable drivers to readily locate and identify bridges by their number should it be necessary in the event of an incident at or near the bridge. The signs display the bridge number, and also the Engineer's Line Reference (ELR) which identifies the route [25.16].

[25.16] Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. ELR = 'LEN3'; Bridge number = 154) (LNE Zone).

In 2001, trials were undertaken in the Exeter area (Great Western Zone) involving the positioning of temporary "Bridge Strike" signs [25.17] at rail bridges (underbridges or overbridges) that have been struck by road vehicles. The signs are double-sided and are positioned at the bridge concerned by rapid response staff attending a bridge strike incident. The aim was to assist drivers in locating the bridge concerned.

[25.17] Temporary "Bridge Strike" Sign (GW Zone).

At some locations, 'end of restriction' (or 'rear clear') indicators have been installed [25.18]. This sign indicates to the driver that the rear of the train is clear of a specific position, such as a neutral section, conductor rail gap, or the end of a speed restriction. When this sign is passed, the driver may close the circuit breaker or accelerate, as appropriate. An 'end of restriction' indicator may bear letters denoting the type of train or length of train to which it applies [25.19].

[25.18] 'End of Restriction' Indicator.	[25.19] 'End of Restriction' Indicator applicable only to type of train specified (e.g. "TMST" = Transmanche Super Train).

Later bridge I.D. signs on the London North Eastern Zone have the bridge's mileage stated on the sign [25.20]. Bridge I.D. signs have been installed at certain overbridges (road over rail) on the London North Eastern Zone as well as at underbridges. There is also a miniature version that omits the mileage and the word "Bridge" [25.21].

[25.20] Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. ELR = 'ECM5'; Bridge number = 193) (LNE Zone).	[25.21] Miniature Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. ELR = 'ECM5'; Bridge number = 96) (LNE Zone).

Various alternative forms of bridge I.D. signs have appeared on the other zones [25.22 & 25.23]. On the Scotland Zone, the signs installed from 2004 were the same as the original type used on the London North Eastern Zone (see [25.16]).

[25.22] Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. Bridge number = 44; ELR = 'LEC1') (Midlands Zone).	[25.23] Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. ELR = 'OWW'; Bridge number = 102) (Great Western Zone).

A new style of Rule Book Change sign was in use by 2003 [25.24].

The following codes are used:

"CCRRB" = CTRL Construction Railway Rule Book
"CTRL" = Channel Tunnel Rail Link
"ET" = Eurotunnel
"RT" or "RTK" = Railtrack
"TMD" = Temple Mills Depot

[25.24] Rule Book Change Sign (e.g. from Railtrack to CTRL territory).

On high speed lines with TVM cab signalling (the first example being the CTRL from 2003), emergency replacement switches are provided in groups at the lineside. The switches may be used for emergency purposes or for the protection of maintenance teams. When an emergency replacement switch is operated, a red cab indication will be given to any train inside the relevant area. Each group of emergency replacement switches is marked by a sign [25.25] which in most cases will be found affixed to the post of a block marker (front and rear) (see [2.123]). This sign was first used on the high speed lines in France.

[25.25] Sign marking the position of a group of emergency replacement switches.

Hot Axle Box Detectors (HABDs) are installed on running lines at certain locations. These sites are not normally marked by lineside signs, however triangular signs with the letters "HABD" [25.26] have been provided on the East Anglia Zone in some places.

[25.26] "HABD" Sign (East Anglia Zone).

In July 2006, Rule Book Change signs of a different shape [25.27] (matching those in use in France) were provided at London St. Pancras. The following codes were used:

"CTRL" = Channel Tunnel Rail Link
"NR" = Network Rail

These were replaced by signs of the usual shape in March 2008.

[25.27] Rule Book Change Sign (e.g. from CTRL to Network Rail territory).

In 2007, a variant form of 'rear clear' indicator (see [25.18]) was provided between the Down Through Siding and the Up Through Siding at Tyseley. This sign, which has no relevance to train drivers, has an inverted black triangle on a white circular background [25.28]. Its purpose is to assist the signalmen at Tyseley No.1 signal box in observing that a train is not standing foul of the crossover points, as there are no track circuits.

[25.28] 'Rear Clear' Sign (Tyseley).

Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, completed in 2007, includes three long twin-tube tunnels. Cross passages connect the two parallel tunnels at intervals of around 660 metres. The position of each cross passage is indicated by a sign with a yellow diamond on a black square background [25.29]. These signs are located about 25 metres beyond the centre line of each cross passage. Certain cross passages are specially equipped to facilitate emergency train evacuation and access for emergency services. These are marked by a sign bearing the letter "E" [25.30]. If a fire occurs on board and it is not possible for the train to continue until it is outside the tunnel, the front of the train should be stopped at one of these signs. This will ensure that the leading passenger door is alongside the evacuation cross passage. In the event of an incident, a driver may be instructed to stop the train at an "E" sign in order to evacuate passengers from a train in the opposite tunnel. To help drivers to stop at the correct location, the three cross passages on the approach to an evacuation cross passage have signs bearing the numbers "3", "2" and "1" [25.31].

[25.29] Cross Passage Sign (CTRL).	[25.30] Evacuation Cross Passage Sign (CTRL).	[25.31] Cross Passage Signs on approach to an evacuation cross passage (CTRL).

New bridge I.D. signs installed on the West Coast Main Line in the vicinity of Watford Junction are circular in shape [25.32].

[25.32] Bridge I.D. Sign (e.g. Bridge number = 62; ELR = 'LEC1') (LNW Territory).

In 2009, work was carried out at Shakespeare Tunnel, between Folkestone and Dover, in preparation for the Southeastern Highspeed services running between London and Dover via the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Shakespeare Tunnel comprises two narrow parallel bores, each accommodating one track. Emergency passenger evacuation would normally take place through doors on the ends of trains, however the streamlined Class 395 units that operate the new service have no such doors. Emergency evacuation can therefore only be carried out via doors on the side of the train. To allow for this, two existing passageways between the tunnel bores have been converted into evacuation passageways. In each bore, a stop sign reading "S1" has been provided adjacent to the first passageway, followed by a stop sign reading "S2" at the second passageway, 300 metres beyond [25.33]. Countdown signs [25.34] are installed inside each tunnel bore at 400 metres and 200 metres on the approach to the first stop sign.

[25.33] Stop Signs (Shakespeare Tunnel).	[25.34] Countdown Signs ( (a) - Outer board; (b) - Inner board ) (Shakespeare Tunnel).

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