BR - Signalling

A British Railways film explaining signalling from 1989
The Train Channel
www.TheTrainChannel.co.uk

[@lrjtherailwayguy]

Who here is from another country but just watches this randomly despite having no railway signal knowledge or dosent work in the rail industry

[@ryanbahrami]

I have some knowledge for BNSF Signaling on the Surfline I guess. I have no idea what any of this is.

[@Michael198]

Don’t have any knowledge yet have applied for Signaller lvl 7 and passed first 3 assessments, next is Interview and very anxious, my english is very good but not native so dunno if I will pass

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Brings back a lot of memories. Two of us were released from driving duties to be the cameramen for this and many other training films at that time. Great crew to work with and great fun to do. Made directly for the then British Rail Board as in house training.

[@treguard1982]

We watched this video today on a signalling course run by Phil Graham and Alan Lewis. I'm coming in from not having much knowledge on the subject at all - it's very fascinating!

[@railwayspresents6047]

Sir give your mobile number

[@Biggles2498]

I loved the old DMU's from the early 70's constantly changing gears from Edinburgh Waverley to Arbroath !

[@dronespace]

@@railwayspresents6047 why should he give you his number?!

[@jdavis460]

@@Biggles2498 Yes they made a change I was also passed out on the Rolls Royces which were fully auto.

[@Shipwright1918]

The rag, or "duster" is used both to keep the brightwork on the levers shiny and to maximize grip on the metal. It's an old tradition for signallers to keep the signal box and its equipment clean and shiny as a matter of pride. The very best had everything, including the floor, absolutely spotless.

[@agentx7138]

I remember some having nicely decorated with plants and flowers around the exterior.

[@Shipwright1918]

@@agentx7138 A nice touch to be sure, most of the ones I've seen were usually plain, or had some stitching on them from the railway company, "B.R." "GWR", etc.

[@bulldog1066jpd]

We called them lever cloths...

[@richardharris8229]

I've watched this video about 20 times now. I'm currently going through the process of being trained as a signalman on a local preservation steam railway. This video is very informative. Has helped greatly

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Richard Harris the chap who directed used to own a loco on the Nene valley railway. Not sure if the NRM has it now.

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

That was David and yes I believe it did.

[@LUNATIC75]

I spent my first 11 years living in a house that backed on to the line just opposite Aylesbury signal box at 30:35 I always wondered what is like inside. I used to love watching those trains. The bloody loud 37's that occasionally rumbled past were my favourite.

[@vhayes2257]

35:58 - I wonder what that chap is doing at this exact moment in time, 32 years on here in 2021? He almost certainly has no idea that we're sitting here watching his 1989 self all these years on. Probably has no idea that he ever appeared (and appears) in a BR film. Strange world we live in...

[@cat1554]

Might be dead.

[@AndreiTupolev]

This is actually a very useful guide that doesn't talk down to its audience. And some good filming, particularly good views inside signalboxes. And a nice variety of traction, including an interesting glimpse of an MOD shunter in action.

[@jdennisjdennis]

Love the driver having a smoke at 23:00

[@minihulk69]

Won't happen in todays PC society.

[@NullaNulla]

MiniHulk69 No it's not so much a case of PC but also there are not as much % of the population smoking now (smoking leaves horrid smells and stains which I've seen and experienced as an ex smoker myself) along with litigious bullshit. But if 60% are non smokers why should they have to put up with the rank smell from the 40%? When I was doing car parts deliveries for a company years ago we had the cars shuffled around and worked out so that the smokers had certain cars they shared and non-smokers shared certain cars to stop this dispute and it worked well. Each was assigned a car they were responsible for and were never swapped out for this reason. It meant the non smokers had no smell and the smokers didn't have the bitching about the smell.

[@minihulk69]

***** I see your point. Thing is with me is I don't smoke, but been bought up with smokers. IMO, if someone wants to smoke around me, do it. I dont care. If I'm going to get a "smoke related" illness I'll get one regardless if I smoke or not. Plus, I never have liked being told what I can and cannot do. I do things my way lol :p

[@NullaNulla]

MiniHulk69 I understand what you mean. I'm not so fussed about people smoking near me in the open air but in enclosed spaces I cannot stand the smell (since I was a smoker myself once it is now even worse for me) and it's more the smell and shitty coating left behind that would offend me. Out in the yard I wouldn't give two hoots.

[@briannem.6787]

@@minihulk69 Even if you are against political correctness, a smoking restriction is helping everybody. You have a right to smoke, as long as the smoke is not hurting others. A shared locomotive cab violates the above rule.

[@StephenWalker42]

A fantastic peace of rail history and many memory's, love it. Thanks for posting.

[@ChangesOneTim]

An excellent summary of BR signalling systems showing some brilliant footage of pre-modernisation Chiltern Line, with Wycombe South's centre-pivoted signal arms and the once very long lever frame at Risborough North. And the Tonbridge-Hastings line boxes are nearly all memories now.

[@lenprice166]

I was an instructor at the Southern Region Training School, South Side (Waterloo) from 1977 until privatisation. We used to show this film during the Rules part of the trainee driver (MP12) courses. (Under privatisation, I went to the Connex South-Eastern Training Centre at London Bridge - until voluntary severance beckoned!). The narrator in the film(s) also worked at South Side for a period. He also filmed and narrated many route-learning videos. He had been a Driver, Signaller, had a model shop and small film company. Pleasure to go to work in BR days!

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

It sure was. I was cameraman/recordist on those films released from train driving along with another driver from the Southern to work producing these films. Best years of my train driver career learn so much about other departments.

[@beijingpete]

This video is marvelous! Thank you for publishing this.

[@TrainFan_95]

Lol the snyth music at the start is so 80s!

[@TrainFan_95]

@MrJobofo I know...

[@SiVlog1989]

@@TrainFan_95 this was made the year I was born, 1989. Even I can tell how brash the 80's music is, lol

[@phattrel6023]

Eeennaaa

[@phattrel6023]

Baheena

[@phattrel6023]

Lacheena

[@14Schofield]

Hands down the best video I have ever seen on the internet. It has changed my perspective on life.

[@Niall101a]

+14Schofield I know that feel dude.... My life was empty before I learned all about signals.

[@johnharwood194]

+Niall101a It's designed for those of us who work in signalling. some of us find it interesting, if we work in this field. If you find it boring, don't watch it.

[@cpjyb]

+John Harwood Ruining the moment dude, why? We know what it was meant for

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

David Stewart BR signalling parts 1 & 2

[@ianburnett7333]

Track Circuits are not something that you want terrorists to know about. If 2 track Circuits are connected together by a pair of wires crossed over, cause a false clear, trains will crash into each other.

[@Isochest]

A really good video with absolute attention to detail.

[@TrueGuaranteedIrish]

Music is a time machine to the 80's!

[@terrymoore9388]

Great video. Love the shot at Lymington with the man walking off the train and his wife following carrying the luggage

[@johnrrafferty4455]

Still a fair number of the manual boxes knocking about. Amazing in 2022

[@clifftonicstudios7469]

They knocked down a nice Victorian signal box at Blackpool North and Victorian signals

[@martinpattison4018]

I think I may need to watch this again as there is so much to understand. Martin. (Thailand)

[@390h8er]

End of part 1: "Right lads and lasses go and have your lunch, have a brew, a fag, use the loo and I'll see you back here in an hour."

[@Sam-bz1hr]

It used to be go have a few pints and lunch back then lol

[@emptyangel]

this is fascinating

[@FerroequinologistofColorado]

I have a serious new appreciation for the signaling operation on the west somerset railway in TSW2

[@ChangesOneTim]

Flashing yellow approach junctions: The rules have since changed, in that when the next signal after the junction is at danger the flashers cannot show and it's standard (steady yellows) approach release. Followed the SPaD and collision at Colwich (Staffs) and a couple of other incidents where drivers misread aspect sequences and believed they 'had the road beyond the signal after the junction and not just through the junction. Since this film Britain has also 'reinvented' splitting distant signals, to give drivers better information about the state of the line through junctions ahead and aspects at signals beyond them.

[@Isochest]

Do you know where there are examples of this?

[@ChangesOneTim]

@@Isochest Colwich, Wootton Bassett, Didcot East

[@ulysees08]

I had exactly that last night where I was not given flashing yellows for the junction being set as usual due to the section of track beyond it being occupied. I only got the junc ind when right on top of it.

[@ChangesOneTim]

@@ulysees08 Thanks. IMO it's a vital safeguard against 'around the corner' SPaD esp where 99% of the time that signal is off. In my day there was a SPaD at Wootton Bassett where driver had got the flasher but didn't register that the main jn sig stayed at yellow plus feather. The next signal was protecting a head-on move (potential 115mph closing speed) through a crossover only just beyond the overlap. Fortunately the train pulled up short....

[@ChangesOneTim]

@@ulysees08 Whilst on, also reminds me that some flasher locations in 4aspect areas had overlapping sequences whereby a given signal could flash either single or double yellow depending on which junction ahead was set and feathered. Again this was potentially confusing for drivers and so were retrospectively banned. Newton Abbot East was one that springs to mind.

[@johnrichards6352]

Semaphores, and the Block System that is associated with them, have worked well for over a hundred years and are still in use in some places as has been mentioned. Accidents did occur (Cowden was mentioned), but were almost always the result of driver error in passing signals at danger, or of signalmen forgetting a train was standing at their signals and accepting another one in the belief that the line was clear, a situation remedied in more modern times by the provision of interlocked track circuiting. Rule 55 requires traincrew to contact the signalman to remind him of their presence at a signal if they are there for more than 5 minutes (2 if there is a tunnel in the section or during fog or falling snow). Signalmen had 'collars', rings which could be placed over a lever to prevent it's being unlocked and pulled, which they used as reminders; the practice was for the collars to be left in place until a lever was used, and replaced afterwards. No system in which humans play a part is immune from accidents caused by human error (or deliberate malice!), yet we still insist that trains are driven by drivers, aircraft flown by pilots, and ships steered by helmsmen under a captain's order...

[@NullaNulla]

I agree that human error is the cause of most mishaps but computers have very little ability to detect things like vehicles over crossings or some drunken fool fallen on the track so catch 22 but I think human drivers are still the best.

[@johnrichards6352]

Sadly, Glen, car drivers playing chicken (or committing suicide) on crossings and drunken fools falling under trains are all too often detected too late for effective avoidance by human drivers as well. Outright stupidity of this sort will defeat any safety regime, although automated trains fitted with a radar or similar system to detect obstacles like cars or drunks might be able to respond quicker than a human driver, especially in poor visibility. An absoulutely foolproof system seems impossible to achieve, but there are immense benefits in trying...

[@NullaNulla]

John Richards It's hard to weigh the loss of jobs vs the gain of the auto system as well. Catch22. And with no driver, if something fails and it's a diesel your screwed (at least electrics can have the overheads turned off.

[@johnrichards6352]

Fair point, but I was commenting on human reluctance to trust safe automated systems when the alternative of fallible human control and decision making is available. It is, as Mr Spock would point out, illogical, captain, yet I would entirely subscribe to it and prefer vehicles in which I am riding to have an apparently competent human in charge of them, and in fact would really rather be in control myself as I do not trust anyone else. Driverless cars will be the norm in less than a few decades; how will our deluded egos cope with that! A remotely controlled diesel running away is a nightmare scenario, sho 'nuff, but not beyond the wit of man to solve as a problem...

[@Ben31337l]

John Richards Automation isn't really full proof, there have been cases where automation has failed in an uncontrolled environment. Even though human errors are a factor, they're really the only flexible link in the chain where if something goes wrong, they're normally the ones who try to rectify the problem. For example: In planes automation is dictated by sensors which detect the "angle of attack", lift and heading. If one of those sensors somehow freezes up, the automatic system would get confused and send the plane in an unpredictable direction or pitch. In this situation, the pilot may get confused with what the automation is telling the plane to do and thus, automation may cause the plane to crash due to faulty readings from the sensors. The thing is, I feel that eliminating the human factor would present a greater risk to passenger safety then having one in there. I like it when the computer aids the driver in doing a task (like autopilot and many of these safety devices presented in the video), but I sometimes worry if we are providing too much control to the computer in terms of automation and automated vehicles.

[@Osamailyas]

very helpful video. It's classic 😍

[@zaimwm1010]

The English-Style Signalling and Communication System also had widely practiced in many Commonwealth Nations including Malaysia, India, and much more. Malayan Railway used Anglo-Indian Signalling and Communication Style.

[@ilaoilao3321]

good to know !

[@denelson83]

Canada is the most notable exception. It instead adopted American-style railway signals.

[@NullaNulla]

Sweet video. Thank you.

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Glen O'Riley We had great fun making it but very hard work and long a days sometimes. Plus pro video gear was very heavy in those days.

[@stephenholmes1036]

I remember this well

[@bsau145a6]

Quite fascinating 👏

[@jess.hawkins]

I swear, David Dore really got around narrating all these railway films back in the day, didn't he?

[@mouselovinlady]

Joshua Saxby until he got that Paul chap roped in for all of them!

[@jess.hawkins]

@@mouselovinlady Unstoppable duo

[@edmund-osborne]

@@jess.hawkins there's one video where they were both in it holding a conversation. I think it's the one about the three step brake. I commented "top 10 anime crossovers" lol.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

18:55 - 19:04 nice view of a shunt signal and derailer, and the derailer aligning to allow movement safely prior to the signal change.

[@BaileyChap]

18:45 for the modern counterpart

[@Sorarse]

I'm pretty sure that is Maidstone West. It's changed an awful lot since this film was made.

[@davidrobinson8224]

This is like learning another language.

[@MattyEngland]

Interesting stuff. Cheers 👍👍

[@franktuckwell196]

I worked for BR for many years and know all of these systems.

[@stephenpowell5912]

Interesting stuff.

[@adammaher6601]

Love seeing the Class 43 HSTs

[@BritishRailProductions]

Round 17:00 you can see the Cranks (Rail Enthusiasts) Particularly 47 Bashers, wish i was there

[@Luigi-uj5ml]

Good evening, some single track museum railways in the United Kingdom are still operated with staff or token blocks although all their stations are equipped not only with home signals but also with departure signals (generally "railway semaphore signals" with arms positioned at 45º in the dial lower or in the upper quadrant to communicate to the driver that the way is clear). It is therefore not clear to me the need to have a staff or token block in the presence of starting signals. In other words, the signals that authorize the sending of trains in the opposite direction along the single track section could not be interconnected with each other in order to avoid head-on collisions as well as pile-ups as happens on double-track lines equipped with "Absolute block" ? If I remember correctly, the intermediate railway stations of the lines operated with the "Radio Electronic Token Block" do not have departure signals, except the "Stop Board". Grateful for the attention given to me, I would like to take this opportunity to extend cordial and sincere regards

[@donalfinn4205]

Very interesting indeed.👍☘️

[@Je_Existe]

Like that music in the beginning

[@engineslovetostartmatthew]

great thank you

[@timosha21]

Choo Choo: I'm a train and I approve this video!!!

[@andyjones8440]

Princes Rhisborough to Aylesbury started my S&T with Burt and Ray in 1989

[@chobbler]

No wonder train drivers earn so much all this has made my brain hurt!

[@BaileyChap]

Heh, you haven't seen the explanations for how the different brake systems work, you've got Airbrakes (Train Brakes), Emergency brakes, Engine brakes, Dynamic brakes, Independent Brakes, Bail-off and Magnetic Brakes, at least that's how many I can name!

[@ramblingrob4693]

I agree all these people who strike haven't got a clue what it takes to be a driver

[@MarkPentler]

@@ramblingrob4693yep, I’m not a driver or involved in the industry, but I agree. I want my train drivers paid well for shuttling hundreds of people around in a big metal tube. Same for airline pilots

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

Like having to shunt 1 up train onto a loop siding to clear another down's way.

[@Bynj3]

Thanks plainly difficult for leading me here

[@leethomas84]

Loving your rail training videos, do you have any more,

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Lee Thomas Quite a lot most online now but only made for in house training.

[@david-stewart]

My idea is to make one big long train that stops at all stations because it is so long everyone can use the same train and no other train is there to crash into it.

[@denelson83]

In the case of a normal-length train, that's called a slow service, and is usually only provided when a line is divided into fast and slow lines. And I get where you're going, but might such a train occupy more than one block at one time, need tens of kilometres to come to an emergency stop, and have to be divided into pieces to fit into a depot to be maintained?

[@david-stewart]

@@denelson83 Hi No what I mean is a train that has no end. Like a constant moving corridor.

[@denelson83]

@@david-stewart That would be impractical, because then every car would have to be stopped at every station, and it would massively slow the service down.

[@samuelfellows6923]

Impossible 🙄

[@straightpipediesel]

​@@denelson83 I think somebody did exactly this for a baggage conveyor or moving walkway or something. Every car has some headway. When it reaches a station, the car stops and the headway gets taken up. When the car departs, it quickly accelerates to a faster speed then re-establishes the headway. See also the ThyssenKrupp Express Walkway, it's a moving walkway that goes fast in the middle and then slows down at the ends to a safe entry/exit speed.

[@kinkisharyocoasters]

Interesting how the block instrument displays look like the italian tricolore

[@TANGARASandOSCARS]

To protect the signalman's hands & to maximize grip.

[@bobbyo7822]

Semaphores are still used at Woodhouse just outside Sheffield.

[@ulysees08]

Not anymore. All gone.

[@bobbyo7822]

@@ulysees08 Well yes, my comment is 9 years old.

[@ulysees08]

@Bobby O yep I noticed.

[@ukar69]

You can the it’s the 80s by the music!

[@kenwkls6392]

they got off the train before it even stopped hahahahaah. damn the old days were so cool

[@56independent42]

ah yes, when the videos gave time for the information to sink in. watch fireship for some contrast.

[@bucephalus00]

Tripcocks in set position guys

[@pingpongpung]

19:06 That's not 45 degrees right?

[@adammaher6601]

19:06

[@Hgplayz451]

Me, a trainspotter, I’ve been in the 0:00 type signalbox

[@stumpypetros2685]

Fantastic, however at 10:30 the Commentator wants to explain the "sequence", of the 4 Colour light and the 3 Colour light displays, but the video is only looking at one signal so the Commentators sequence is describing not the view of the camera but only one possible view of the driver's multiple signals, which is going to confuse anyone. From the *Signal's* point of view and of someone watching one signal ie the video watcher, the correct sequence is for 4 Lights are G, R, Y, Y/Y, G --- 3 lights are, G, R, Y, G. From the *drivers* point of view it is different BUT only IF you are catching up to the train ahead, then you would see G, Y/Y, Y and R from 4 or more different signals as you close up to the train ahead.

[@bulldog1066jpd]

Started out as a box boy then as a signalman on the T&H line then as a relief signalman on the LT&S eventually ending up as a Signalling mgr in Upminster IECC... 30 yrs later I'm a taxi driver 😂

[@williamhuang8309]

Can't help but notice that the most viewed section is the one about the token block system

[@jackx4311]

That's because almost all of the preserved railways in Britain use token machines - so even though our signalmen are trained by qualified trainers in their departments, films like this are still very helpful to us.

[@Biggles2498]

I wouldn't want to be driving an HST at 125 mph with one yellow aspect as the first warning that the next light is red ! Oh Lordy !

[@AndreiTupolev]

You'd have four aspect Signalling at that speed.

[@fetchstixRHD]

@@AndreiTupolev: Would you have to though? I can't think of any examples off the top of my head -(and they very well may not exist!)- [Edit: there are many as detailed in my lower post, 14:06 shows a 3 aspect signal on a 125mile/h line. Still can't see how I missed that!] but I don't see why it would be necessary to have 4-aspect signalling on a 125mile/h line, other than for capacity?

[@AndreiTupolev]

@@fetchstixRHD Oh, 4 aspect signals are necessary on all lines over 100 mph. The preliminary double yellow gives you enough braking distance.

[@fetchstixRHD]

@@AndreiTupolev: Oh, is it? I didn’t know that, I was under the impression that double yellows were only for enhancing capacity (and that you could in theory have any speed with 3 or 2 aspect signalling and only a single yellow placed at the appropriate braking distance). In practice anyway, any line capable for 125mile/h is almost certainly busy enough (or has mixed speed traffic) that it needs 4 aspect signalling anyway, but I’d love to see a list of lines equipped for 125mile/h to confirm that theory! (Edit: actually there are/were 125mile/h under 3 aspect! The GWML is one example (and in fact is clearly demonstrated in this video: 14:06) and people list examples in the thread on www.railforums.co.uk/threads/125mph-with-3-aspect-colour-light-signalling.166778/ )

[@tech4pros1]

Full service brake application and pray you don't SPAD..

[@BritishTrainspotting]

Where do people find these videos and is there some way of finding info about the videos ie music used or other information not shown in the "credits" at the end?

[@fusetech9184]

Anyone know what music was used in the introductory segment? Thanks

[@jonb23]

At 16:20, do the signals at Crewe still have these route indications instead of the standard feathers?

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

I remember standing in the middle of the junction wiith a bit of wire to bridge the track circuits so as get the signal to operate. Felt rather insecure doing that on such a busy line. (before anyone says it we had a chief signal engineer with us and coms the box).

[@TheArkamedBat]

35:58 Hi man!

[@GearGrinder1133]

Can someone send me a link to the cheesy music at the start?

[@WINSTANLEYOBXa]

Bognor Regis, North Wales coast, Deal,etc etc

[@mrgruffy100]

To keep them clean.

[@clifftonicstudios7469]

No riffraff on the station

[@petercdowney]

What's the music called?

[@AAA-pz3ec]

why does the intro music go this hard

[@videobruceb8879]

Wow, towards the end this showing the most confusing & complicated signal systems. And there are/were so many. I though it was bad here with all the changes in the past 20 years.

[@jasonfernee2401]

Nice mullet at 36.36 ... I bet he regrets that now.

[@trainsofthewest265]

Nice, a great subject which is not well covered!

[@390052Knight]

The Preston to Blackpool line still uses Semaphores; but... sorry to say they will be lost in the next couple of years with the electrification upgrade.

[@leighsaunderson9203]

Any idea when the electrification is due ? I quite enjoy that line to Blackpool, be a shame .

[@390052Knight]

Leigh Saunderson Although its now running six months late, completion target was May 2016. They have already started work on some bridges and such and I think Poulton No.3 Box has (thankfully) been saved already.

[@smitsduncan100]

This is very cool indeed! but now for the most important question what is the intro song called! i need to know!!! Whahahha

[@ThatVoxelBlock]

i love that song what is it named

[@barleyarrish]

Hi, I've seen many photo's of semaphore signal arms bearing a ring. what is the purpose of this ring?

[@philaypeephilippotter6532]

I think you'll find it's for a permissive block - passenger trains could not usually use a permissive block.

[@steamfandan9682]

Not sure if I am correctly guessing was high Wycombe station featured near the beginning?

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Not looked at the film lately but yes we certainly filmed at High Wycombe.

[@AutoUnder]

19:02, isn't the best example of a disc shunt-signal 😂😂

[@beeractivist4439]

That is Risborough box? Still in use today an the Chinnor and Princess Risborough railway. They open the box on certain days...

[@generybarczyk6993]

OMG! I hope there's not going to be a quiz.

[@volante8657]

it's the same as wearing gloves i suppose, but their hands don't need to work as much as let say a driver, thus using a rug is easier for them with no need to take on and off

[@chriswalker9850]

i feel like i’m back in the training school 😄

[@tonylatanza3879]

Chris, Are you a signalman? If so can I contact you as I have signalman interview with Network rail very soon. Just prepping.

[@chriswalker9850]

No sorry Tony, i’m a driver, good luck with the interview though 👍👍

[@badpharma461]

The fact that the driver must check. that it is the right token isn't reassuring. If it's always been the correct token for 20 years doesn't mean that it IS the correct token but if someone does it 10000 times, can they be expected to be so alert? In all, UK drivers do a great job with what seems like badly flawed systems. I am disgusted that they do not get the respect of pilots. I've SEEN people berate railway staff..... scary.

[@jackx4311]

They are trained ALWAYS to be alert to having the right token. Just like airline pilots are taught to ALWAYS check that all the control surfaces move freely, and in the right direction, no matter how many thousand times they've done it. The token system for use on single track lines has proved simple, dependable and reliable - as long as it's used in full accordance with the regulations. If people start getting lazy, careless or stupid, even the most hi-tech system won't save them.

[@AndreiTupolev]

I've never seen a do-it-yourself lifting barrier crossing before! (49:12) That looks a bit labour-intensive.

[@Sorarse]

The biggest problem with those is the user forgetting to put them back down again. Next user comes along and, seeing the barriers up, thinks it's OK to cross when there could be a train coming. Only had one such crossing on the patch I used to cover, but it was a pain in the proverbial.

[@denelson83]

Tom Scott shows one off in one of his videos.

[@denelson83]

I like to think of the double and single yellow signals as a prompt to slow to two-thirds or one-third of maximum track speed respectively. Searchlight-type signals which use LED luminaires are becoming more prevalent on British railways. Banner repeater signals can also use LEDs, in which case, their off indications are distinguishable between caution and clear aspects. The distinction is a white display for a caution aspect, and a green display for a clear. Banner repeaters that do not make this distinction instead defer it to the AWS. Banner repeater ID plates carry the identification of the signals they repeat, followed by the letters "BR". A variant of the banner repeater used primarily on platform lines is an "OFF" display, which only illuminates if the platform starting signal immediately in advance of it is not at danger. This is for the benefit of the guard of a train as a further safeguard against a so-called "ding-ding and away" SPAD, so that the guard can wait until he or she sees the "OFF" indication before signalling the driver to depart, knowing from this indication that the platform starting signal is showing a proceed aspect.

[@robhardie6687]

Learning to drive at full pelt on the East Coast Main Line, we're taught as a rule of thumb to aim for 80mph passing a double yellow, and 50mph at a single, so the 2/3 and 1/3 speed is about right for us too. You're right that there are now some 'tri-state' banner repeaters which can show whether the following signal is specifically green rather than just 'not red', but there are some LED versions being installed which still just show the old On/Off states. The tri-state ones can be distinguished by a special symbol on the signal ID plate which looks like a sideways hamburger 😂

[@denelson83]

@@robhardie6687 It's a white disk with a black vertical band through it.

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

I always found LEDs to darn bright causing temp loss of night vision.

[@rogerfroud300]

At 11:29 he says that the searchlight signal can be a four aspect arrangement. How is that possible? Presumably that's either a mistake or there's another colour to denote the preliminary signal, or possibly a flashing amber?

[@jpal00]

You can see a four-aspect searchlight type signal just as he says it - it has another signal head for showing the second yellow.

[@rogerfroud300]

Ah, I see it now. I think the explanation could have been a lot clearer. To me, the word "searchlight" implied that it was singular, so that didn't make sense to me.

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

Roger Froud I’ve got one in my back garden.

[@richardpaul2241]

Lion at Didcot!!

[@lmoore3rd]

The opening music is way too good for this. Sounds like an epic game of Gradius at the local arcade. 😀

[@umm_rm]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5ixlYWCrdKBipI

[@Bwhfrlrbx]

It Just Like Thomas

[@stuartmair6644]

i remember, vauguely!, a video i watched while in training which explained interlocking and from memory showed how the realys interlock and the logic associated with that process... Has anyone got that video please? Id like to watch it again cos im trying to work on a logic interlocking system for a model railway. thanks

[@stumpypetros2685]

Stuart, did you get any help with the interlocking design?

[@straightpipediesel]

The title on KZbin is "Modern Railway Signalling (OU)1.avi"

[@b3j8]

Just curious how many Signal Boxes are still in use. Here in the US they are nearly extinct.

[@valtteripennanen4043]

"In 1948 there were approximately 10,000 signal boxes; by 2012 this had reduced to about 500. National Rail has plans to concentrate control at twelve centres by 2040, decommissioning most of the remaining mechanical signal boxes by 2025." -Wikipedia on signal boxes that are still listed as buildings in England

[@tldrvince4705]

Who is the narrator, anyone? Very distinctive voice

[@denelson83]

David Dore. His name is in the credits at the end of this video.

[@rapman5363]

36:46 those eyebrows

[@whereinsussex]

To stop the levers going rusty from sweat!

[@bitmadmax]

Curious about the block explanation near the start - does it mean that between 2 signal boxes there is only one block? As I was always under the impression there may be several blocks between signal boxes ?

[@skellious]

as it says, if there is a long distance there may be multiple blocks.

[@johnrichards6352]

By and large yes, but it is between open signal boxes. A block section may contain many closed, 'switched out' boxes at night or weekends, especially Sunday; the block is in operation between two open boxes. At the switched out boxes, the running line signal are left set to 'clear', in the 'off' position, and the road set accordingly

[@denelson83]

A block is a length of line between any two consecutive signals.

[@GWRProductions-kg9pt]

33:20 I feel sorry for the signaler at Pantyffynnon

[@Chucklesrailarchive]

GWR Productions 2014 He was a lovely Welshman with a dry sense of humour I remember.

[@ChangesOneTim]

Think that was the guy who was on duty when the call came through about the Glanrhyd bridge collapse and DMU derailment. Pantyffynnon box had just got busier only a couple of years earlier, supervising six new remote token sections and dozens of private level crossings with users ringing up for permission to cross.

[@BritishRailProductions]

What's the Music called Lads or Lasses.

[@davesaunders3334]

Darude - Sandstorm.

[@BritishRailProductions]

Futuristic for 1989 🙂

[@djcb4190]

Include eeryhing.