Section 29: Unusual Signals and Signs

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An ordinary semaphore signal arm applies in only one direction. When viewed from the rear, the arm is coloured white and projects to the right of the post. The North Eastern Railway had some semaphore shunting signals that applied in both directions, with an arm that was coloured red on both sides. This was a rare example of a British semaphore signal whose indication was applicable to approaching movements even though the arm projected to the right of the post [29.1 & 29.2]. At least one of these signals (at Selby) survived long enough for it to be fitted with an upper quadrant arm [29.3]. A different style of 'both ways' semaphore signal had been used on the Dornoch Light Railway (see [16.3 & 16.4]).

[29.1] 'Both Ways' Shunting Signal ('on') (NER).	[29.2] Lower Quadrant 'Both Ways' Shunting Signal ('off') (NER).	[29.3] Upper Quadrant 'Both Ways' Shunting Signal ('off').

In 1934, following discussions with the MoT, the LNER developed proposals for a simplified signalling system with a view to reducing maintenance costs on rural branch lines. They had intended to install the new system on at least three branch lines: Reedness to Haxey Junction, Northallerton to Hawes, and Knaresborough Goods to Pilmoor North. In the event, only the Knaresborough-Pilmoor line was converted, in 1936. All conventional signals along the route (excluding its extremities) were removed and replaced by a system of fixed and movable boards.

At each intermediate station where there had previously been a signal box, a 'station board' was installed. In the 'on' position, the face of the board appeared white all over [29.4]. To admit a train into the station, a trap door was opened to reveal a green square and a green light as the 'proceed' indication [29.5]. The whole board was capable of being rotated through 180°, so that the same board could be used to signal all trains at that station regardless of their direction of travel.

[29.4] Station Board ('on').	[29.5] Station Board ('off').

On each approach to a station, a 'section limit board' was installed [29.6]. This had red and white diagonal stripes and was studded with three clusters of red reflectors down the middle and white reflectors around the edges. Trains were required to stop at the section limit board unless the green square or green light was visible in the station board ahead (see [29.5]). A 'location marker board' [29.7] was erected at braking distance to the section limit board. This had black and white diagonal stripes and white reflectors arranged in a zig-zag pattern.

[29.6] Section Limit Board.	[29.7] Location Marker Board.

'Gate stop boards' [29.8] were provided at level crossings, in some cases being fixed to the crossing gates. White reflectors on the face of the board spelled out the word "Stop", with the letters placed vertically. A 'gate caution board' [29.9] was provided at a distance of about 600 yards on each rail approach to a level crossing. White reflectors on the face of the board spelled out the word "Gate". In the 'off' position, neither the gate caution board nor the gate stop board were visible to drivers.

[29.8] Gate Stop Board ('on').	[29.9] Gate Caution Board ('on').

After passenger services on the line ceased in 1950, all the boards were removed apart from the location marker boards (see [29.7]) and the gate caution boards, which were fixed in the 'on' position (see [29.9]). The line closed to all traffic in 1964.

In the South London area in 1992 and 1993, while resignalling work was being carried out in connection with the Channel Tunnel project, temporary block working by ticket was implemented over certain lines. The colour light signals at the exits from the affected sections were fixed at 'danger' and a handsignalman appointed at each would instruct the driver to proceed when authorised by the signalman. Because the signals in question had no lamp-proving, their 'danger' aspect comprised two red lights [29.10]. In the event of one light failing, the handsignalman would immediately inform the signalman.

[29.10] Double Red Aspect.

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