Northern Ireland
(Page 1 of 1)
Although Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, its railways are run entirely separately from those in Great Britain. After the partitioning of Ireland in 1921, the British railway inspectorate ceased to operate in either part of the island. Northern Ireland Railways have chosen to continue following the practices of Great Britain, but they are not obliged to do so.
Mechanical signalling is on the verge of extinction in Northern Ireland. Upper quadrant semaphore signals had once existed at Larne Harbour, but the few surviving semaphore signals in Northern Ireland are all of the 'somersault' type (see [2.36]).
Signalling and signage in Northern Ireland can be considered as a subset of that in Great Britain, with one significant exception: Speed restriction signs, both permanent and temporary, are of the same types as those found in the Republic of Ireland (see [IE.17] and [IE.19 - IE.23]).
|
Where appropriate, permanent speed restriction signs in Northern Ireland are fitted with a standard matching design of directional arrow positioned below the board [NI.1].
|
 |
[NI.1] Permanent Speed Restriction Sign with Directional Arrow (e.g. applicable to right-hand divergence).
|
|
|
Some early whistle signs remain which comprise a 'cut-out' letter "W" [NI.2]. The more recent whistle boards are of the same standard type used in Great Britain (see [15.6]).
|
 |
|
[NI.2] Whistle Sign.
|
|
|
A type of level crossing unique to Northern Ireland was termed the "Automatic Open Crossing, Distant Monitored" (AOCD). In some respects this was similar to the "Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored" (AOCL), but the driver's white light (see [16.9]) is located some distance before the crossing, too far away for the driver to be able to ascertain whether the crossing is clear of obstructions. The crossing is 'distant monitored' from a signal box, where the signalman has the facility to extinguish the driver's white light in an emergency. The crossing speed restriction sign (see [16.13]) is located at the driver's white light, and higher crossing speeds are permitted than is the case at AOCLs. The advance warning board for this type of crossing has a black St. Andrew's cross on a white background [NI.3] instead of the usual St. George's cross (see [16.5]). Half-barriers were subsequently added and the crossings redesignated as "Automatic Half Barrier Crossing, Distant Monitored" (AHBD).
|
 |
|
[NI.3] Advance Warning Board for AOCD/AHBD.
|
|
|
Radio channel indicators are similar to the type that is currently standard in Great Britain (see [19.7 - 19.9]), but are somewhat wider and have "RAD CH" (for 'Radio Channel') written at the top [NI.4].
|
 |
|
[NI.4] Radio Channel Indicator.
|
|
|
Signs may be provided by Permanent Way Department staff to denote the presence of heavy vegetation at the lineside [NI.5].
|
 |
|
[NI.5] Heavy Vegetation Sign.
|
|
