Railway Signalling In the years BC (Before Computers)

Lineside Signs

On the railway there are any number of odd lineside posts, signs symbols and notices.
This page is an attempt to explain a few of them.

Mile Posts

These are distance markers from a datum, usually the main terminus of the line of the main junction with the main line. On the NYMR the datum is Rillington Junction, where the line used to join onto the Scarborough York line.

Mile Post (16), The box on the top is the the reference.

A Quarter Mile maker post

A Half Mile maker post

A Three quarter Mile marker post

15 MPH permanent Speed Restriction

This is a permanent speed restriction sign. It indicates that trains are limited to 15 MPH from this point.

Gradient Board

This shows the gradient of the line. The gradient being measured a as "1 in XX" i.e. the line goes up or down 1 for every XX you go along. The lower the number the steeper the gradient. There is a gradient profile of the line in the guide to the line

A Whistle sign. The grey ring used to be red before it faded. Older signs were the word 'WHISTLE' in black on a white board.

Whistle sign

This sign shows the shunting limit. If a train should pass this without specific permission from the signal box it could de-rail or cause interlocking problems with the main signalling.

Fog Marker sign outside Grosmont Tunnel

Now try our simple Mechanical Signal Box Simulation . This is a very simple station and uses a 15 Lever mechanically interlocked frame.

Please be patient while it loads as there is a lot of Javascript code associated with it and it may not run properly if it hasn't completely loaded.

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