What does this sign mean?

[Freightliner56]

I have searched about for the meaning of this sign but cannot find a clear answer. The image shows this sign near to the entrance of Whitby station. I've noticed this sign before, near level crossings. To me it looks like something to do with signalling, but to be honest I don't have a clue! Can someone tell me what it is and what is the name for it?
Thank you

 

[transmanche]

I have searched about for the meaning of this sign but cannot find a clear answer. The image shows this sign near to the entrance of Whitby station. I've noticed this sign before, near level crossings. To me it looks like something to do with signalling, but to be honest I don't have a clue! Can someone tell me what it is and what is the name for it?
Thank you

I believe that's a 'semaphore-style' distant signal fixed in the caution position. It means that the driver must expect the next signal will be at danger (i.e. a red signal).

 

[contrex]

Looks like a "reflectorised distant board", they were used a lot in the North East and elsewhere from 1982 onwards, on lightly used lines. I believe the Seaford - Newhaven Harbour branch has them. See image 2.121 on this page:

http://www.railsigns.co.uk/sect2page7/sect2page7.html

 

[Cherry_Picker]

It's s fixed distant. There is one visible from the platform at Stourbridge Junction on the Town branch.

 

[Mugby]

I suppose you could say it's a cheap and convenient way of exhibiting a fixed distant signal rather than maintaining an old signal post with an arm on it. Being reflective, it doesn't require a lamp during the hours of darkness which an old style signal would.

 

[contrex]

Fixed distants are to caution drivers that they are approaching a signal they can expect to encounter at danger, and that they need to get their speed under control accordingly. Essentially to help a driver to recognise where he or she is, in a consistent standardised way. The GWR was fond of them. I read about an ER driver who had transferred to the WR and thought there were far too many fixed distants. "You have to dither about like a old biddy here, that's why I call it GREAT WOMEN'S RAILWAY!"

 

[driver9000]

Just to be pedantic the Fixed distant applies to signals and any other location a driver must stop such as the end of a branch line for instance.

 

[Freightliner56]

Thanks for all the replies, question answered. Also brilliant signal website Contrex.

 

[BritishRail83]

Just to be pedantic the Fixed distant applies to signals and any other location a driver must stop such as the end of a branch line for instance.

thats correct. there used to be one at the end of the Woolwich line at North Woolwich.

 

[Andyjs247]

Those fixed distant boards are also quite common on lines such as Far North, Kyle, Cambrian etc approaching passing loops where the driver would be required to stop and obtain the "token"/authority to proceed. They were introduced when RETB signalling was introduced and traditional signalling abolished. BTW do they still exist on the Cambrian? I haven't been that way since ERTMS.

 

[Railsigns]

BTW do they still exist on the Cambrian? I haven't been that way since ERTMS.

No; there is no lineside equivalent to a distant signal in ERTMS.

 

[Michael.Y]

There's at least one, possibly more on HoWL.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

There are several on the East Suffolk still, most seem to have gained signal numbers as well during the resignalling

 

[aal7]

There's on on the disused Varsity line, between the Steeple Claydon level crossing and the junction to Aylesbury. I saw it on Saturday!

 

[TDK]

There is one each way on the branch from Wrexham General to Wrexham Central, also one on the approach to Llandudno

 

[terryc]

There's also one at the end of the Weaste branch at Eccles.

 

[D1009]

One has been temporarily fixed to the non functioning signal on the up in the middle of the recently flooded section between Cogload Junction and Bridgwater, to indicate approach to the end of the temporary block section.

 

[TOCDriver]

There are a couple of beuties on the approach to the Heysham branch line approaching Morecambe station from Bare Lane

 

[Lockwood]

I saw one while I was at Ribena, waiting (and waiting) from a train to Cardiff last year.
Railway guy on the platform who was advising everyone not to bother waiting, and to get a bus, said it was because the line ended not much further up.
It had an AWS ramp as well, with an ignore AWS board the other direction.

It was nice to see those signs - don't seem to get stuff like that down this way.

 

[andypops]

I saw one while I was at Ribena, waiting (and waiting) from a train to Cardiff last year.

Rhiwbina?

It's on the Coryton sine - see here - and is two stops from the terminal station at Coryton. So it's understandable to have a fixed distant there.

As an aside, presumably, I would imagine at this location and at Whitchurch (next station), the driver should be using his DRA?

It was nice to see those signs - don't seem to get stuff like that down this way.

Erm, I tend to disagree.... The WR had lots of odd little nuances, several of which have remained. And as an earlier poster has said, these signs are reasonably common on the WR.

 

[D1009]

There are a couple of beuties on the approach to the Heysham branch line approaching Morecambe station from Bare Lane

And some signals as well?

 

[Lockwood]

Yeah, that's the one.
Sounded like "Ribena"

It was nice to see those signs - don't seem to get stuff like that down round where I am.

 

[Joseph_Locke]

And some signals as well?

Nope.