Stop Boards on platforms colour query

[Snow1964]

I took the following photo of 4 different stop boards on same pole at Newport South Wales and wondered about all the colours.

There is a light blue 5+2 which I think is for push pull loco & DVT.

Two black ones, an HST 2+4 (which no longer go there) and a 4-6 car stop

Then another slightly grey with white edge with a 5 car stop. Why is this needed in addition to 4-6 as that covers 4 or 5 or 6

Or are the different colours related to 20m, 23m, 26m carriage lengths.

Then a question if 5+2 fits, (ie 7 vehicles) why is black sign 4-6 and not 4-7

Although the numerals almost fit width of each sign, why is text eg HST and DVT in different sizes to the other signs.

Why the reversal of format with 2 at opposite ends. HST sign is numbered as end cars and carriages, but the signs for mk4s have carriages then end vehicles as the order. Is there some railway standard that has done a U turn.

Sorry for all the questions, but just seems like this is a mess that could be simplified. 4 signs instead of one.

 

[43055]

The 5 car sign relates to the IETs. I have seen others with '10' or 'ALL' on as well, and at other stations the 5 car point maybe slightly different to the normal 5 car point due to the longer coach length.

 

[150219]

There is a reasonably new Rail Industry Standard (RIS) which covers this and was developed to enable a more consistent standard.

At it's simplest level, the 1980s standard was white text on a black background. With sectorisation, the NSE had white text on a light blue background.

'S' was traditionally used as the *all* trains stop at this point.

The new RIS has white text on a mid-blue background, but even since the RIS was published there are still different variations being installed.

What you highlight however about there being such a variation is not unusual and can be seen in many other locations across the country.

 

[185]

The photo illustrates the ridiculous, unclear and dangerous state of affairs the headless chicken safety body RSSB has allowed this stop board-ageddon nonsense to evolve into.

I don't know whether the actual figures are higher, but I reckon there are more driver stop-shorts as a result of this mess of signs.

 

[150219]

The photo illustrates the ridiculous, unclear and dangerous state of affairs the headless chicken safety body RSSB has allowed this stop board-ageddon nonsense to evolve into.

I don't know whether the actual figures are higher, but I reckon there are more driver stop-shorts as a result of this mess of signs.

That would come down to the investigation for each different event. It's a leap to say that this is the case, especially speculating without evidence to say so. Following investigations there are measures to feedback recommendations and this will include anything relevant to stop boards, if applicable. Part of introducing a RIS is to bring a standardised approach to just this issue.

 

[Archvile]

The photo illustrates the ridiculous, unclear and dangerous state of affairs the headless chicken safety body RSSB has allowed this stop board-ageddon nonsense to evolve into.

I don't know whether the actual figures are higher, but I reckon there are more driver stop-shorts as a result of this mess of signs.

Boards on the opposite side to the platform are lethal and unnecessary too.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Boards on the opposite side to the platform are lethal and unnecessary too.

I think less so for stop shorts but more so for potential wrong side door releases.

 

[boiledbeans2]

5 + 2
2 + 4
4 - 6

Math test. No calculators please.

 

[craigybagel]

Newport platform 4. The only large station I've ever seen with a 1 car stop board (the only others I sign are at stations with Harrington Humps). Until recently it actually had a booked single 153 calling every night and using it as well.....

In answer to your question as to why 5+2≠7 in this case - the 5+2 refers to 5 MKIV passenger cars + 1 MKIV DVT + 1 Class 67. The DVT and loco are quite short compared to the coaches - a 7 car multiple unit may well have part of its last car off the platform if it stopped at that board.

Personally I don't find it too confusing - I know the location and colour of the stop board I'm looking for, it's part of my route knowledge, and I tend to mentally block out all of the others. And whilst it does look pretty awful, I think it's better than another station I can think of which until recently had a platform with a 4 car stop board, that gave no warning that this only applied for 20m cars. The platform in question was served by a 4 x 23m long train every hour, which if it stopped at that board would have the rear most doors off the platform. There was no other 4 car board fitted on the platform.....

 

[Falcon1200]

IIRC platform stop boards are a TOC responsibility, so where multiple TOCs serve a station an incoherent mess can result. There is certainly a case for standardisation.

 

[Snow1964]

The 5 car sign relates to the IETs. I have seen others with '10' or 'ALL' on as well, and at other stations the 5 car point maybe slightly different to the normal 5 car point due to the longer coach length.

Just checked my local station, and the yellow striped IET markers exist. On platform 2 it is S mounted on same pole above black S (everything should stop at same place), on other platform IET is a 5-10 on a pole about 2m beyond standard 5car sign. Strangely 6car 23m DMUs happen few times each month (but don't have a sign), but IETs on platform one are a rarity (but do get a sign)

However what I did notice checking was that some of the stop markers have a sign with platform number immediately below, and others on same platform don't. No idea why the inconsistency. All rather feels it has evolved piecemeal

 

[plugwash]

In answer to your question as to why 5+2≠7 in this case - the 5+2 refers to 5 MKIV passenger cars + 1 MKIV DVT + 1 Class 67. The DVT and loco are quite short compared to the coaches - a 7 car multiple unit may well have part of its last car off the platform if it stopped at that board.

Plus, the loco and DVT don't have passenger doors.

 

[craigybagel]

Plus, the loco and DVT don't have passenger doors.

True, but the stop boards are arranged so that they will both be platformed where possible. It makes life a lot easier Newport is one such location.