An image from the "Dark Ages", a temporary speed restriction board that is illuminated by gas. No part of this installation was light to carry, it was all heavy and cumbersome. In this instance the speed restriction is a 30mph one, and applies to all traffic.
A slightly later type, relying upon batteries housed in the boxes at the base of the speed boards to provide power for illumination of the speed restriction sign during the hours of darkenss. On the fishtail and on the box holding the 30mph stencil, were light sensitive cells which switched the light source on and off as required. The stencil is of the earlier type used, white numerals on a blue background.
This picture clearly shows a common modification to the bottom of the battery boxes, the addition of lengths of point rodding. This increased stability of the speed restriction signs when they were erected, but the knees, shins, and legs of many a railwayman will bear painful testimony as to how lethal those bits of point rodding could be.
A distant warning board for a tempory speed restriction, this one in a point with restricted clearances, hence to use of a small fishtail. The stencils are of the later type, black numerals on a yellow background, and the speed restriction applies to any trains take the route ahead off to the left. 20mph for freight trains, 60mph for passenger trains.
Modern retroreflective speed restriction signs, these untilise a coating that will reflect any light that falls upon it with almost equal intensity. This is a reminder distant board for trains taking a route on the right, and is commonly used were station platforms and the like fall within the required distance between the site commencement board and the distant warning board.
Retro-reflective.
Termination board at the end of a speed restriction, this one is one of the old battery power variety.
Commencement board, battery powered variety.
Retro-reflective reminder board.
Retro-reflective.
1 comment:
I remember the old TSR boards with the battery boxes, and I can testify that the point rodding attached to the bottom of the battery boxes have taken chunks out of my legs more than once.
The modern types are a world away from those days.
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