Section 18: Signs in Electrified Areas

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From 2019, signs have been installed alongside the car stop markers (see Section 21) at station platforms where multi-mode multiple units perform power changeovers while stationary (known as a 'static' power changeover). These signs have a blue border with the applicable class of train stated at the top. Each sign is divided into two parts, the upper part containing the words "power changeover", while the lower part contains further wording according to the type of changeover it refers to. It may also contain a yellow warning triangle. A sign indicating a changeover from electric to diesel power has the word "diesel" in red [18.56], and one that only applies to trains bound for certain routes names the applicable destinations underneath [18.57]. A sign indicating a changeover from diesel to electric power has the legend "electric 25kV" or "electric 25000 AC" [18.58].

[18.56] Static Power Changeover Sign - Electric to Diesel (e.g. applicable to Class 80x trains). Area: Various   Usage: Medium   Status: Current	[18.57] Static Power Changeover Sign - Electric to Diesel (e.g. applicable to Class 755 trains travelling towards Lowestoft or Felixstowe). Area: Various   Usage: Medium   Status: Current	[18.58] Static Power Changeover Sign - Diesel to Electric. Area: Various   Usage: Medium   Status: Current

Signs are installed in depot areas to warn drivers of multi-mode units that the pantograph must be lowered before entering certain sidings [18.59].

[18.59] Pantograph Down Sign (e.g. applicable to Class 755 trains). Area: Various   Usage: Low   Status: Current

A sign relating to power changeover that is situated on approach to a diverging junction may be fitted with a supplementary sign to indicate that it only applies to trains travelling towards a specific route. A supplementary arrow sign (see Section 27) is used for a simple diverging junction, while the applicable route at a more complex junction layout is identified by a sign showing an abbreviated destination name, usually in white characters on a black background [18.60]. A supplementary sign that is similar but has a red diagonal stripe across it [18.61] indicates that the sign does not apply to trains travelling towards the specified route.

[18.60] Applicable Route Sign (e.g. "diesel" sign, applicable to trains travelling towards Lydney). Area: Various   Usage: Medium   Status: On Trial	[18.61] "Route Other Than" Sign (e.g. 'lower pantograph' sign, not applicable to trains travelling towards the ECML route). Area: Various   Usage: Low   Status: On Trial

In March 2020, the "section gap" boards (see [18.5]) on the DC electrified line between Camden and Watford Junction (the Watford 'New' Line) were replaced by isolation demarcation boards. Each board has the words "section gap" above a solid black diamond, below which there is a number that relates to the electrical section and sub-section isolation limits [18.62]. These boards are for the information of track workers and can be disregarded by train drivers. During 2021/2022, isolation demarcation boards replaced the "section gap" boards on the Merseyrail system (see [18.46]).

[18.62] Isolation Demarcation Board. Area: Camden - Watford Junction / Liverpool area   Usage: Medium   Status: Current

A variant of the "E" board used on the DC electrified lines in the Liverpool area at times of reduced power supply (see [18.18]) has a figure after the letter "E" [18.63] to denote that it only applies to electric multiple units composed of the number of vehicles indicated.

[18.63] "E" Board (e.g. applicable to 6-car trains). Area: Liverpool area   Usage: Medium   Status: Current

The Merseyrail Class 777/1 'independently powered electric multiple units' (IPEMUs) can be powered either from 750 V DC third rail or from their on-board batteries where no third rail is provided. In July 2023, 'self-powered mode change' signs showing two semicircular arrows in white on a square black background [18.64] were installed at Fazakerley for Down direction trains and at Kirkby for Up direction trains. These denote the point where a changeover from one power system to the other should be completed.

[18.64] Self-Powered Mode Change Sign. Area: Fazakerley / Kirkby   Usage: Low   Status: Current

From June 2025, power changeover signs for temporary applications have been distinguishable from their permanently installed equivalents by having a yellow background [18.65 - 18.68]. The temporary signs may be used at sites where high-speed coasting is taking place (see [18.51 & 18.52]) and places where multi-mode trains must temporarily change to self-powered mode.

[18.65] 'Advance Lower Pantograph' Sign. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Current	[18.66] 'Lower Pantograph' Sign. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Current
[18.67] 'Raise Pantograph' Sign. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Current	[18.68] 'Do Not Raise Pantograph' Sign. Area: All Areas   Usage: Medium   Status: Current