Section 21: Stopping Markers

(Page 4 of 9)

Certain stations on the East Coast Main Line are located on a steep gradient. Drivers of Class 253 and 254 High Speed Trains or trains composed of Mark 4 vehicles are required to place the brake controller in the "hold" position when stopped at the platforms concerned. Suitably worded marker boards were provided from January 1999, with the letters "HST", "Mk4" or "HST / Mk4" at the top [21.67].

[21.67] "Hold" Stopping Marker. Area: East Coast Main Line   Usage: Low   Status: Uncertain

'Mid-platform marker boards' of a new design were provided at Birmingham Snow Hill station in February 1999. These comprise a white board, across which is a black horizontal band with a gap in the middle [21.68]. This type of sign was adopted as standard in 2003.

[21.68] Mid-Platform Marker Board. Area: Birmingham Snow Hill (subsequently All Areas)   Usage: Medium   Status: Current

From 2000 until 2005, Class 373 (Eurostar) trains leased to GNER operated over the southern part of the East Coast Main Line. Stop markers reading "Class 373 stop" on a blue background [21.69] were provided at the stations where they called.

[21.69] Class 373 Stop Marker. Area: East Coast Main Line   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent

The Sudbury line platform at Marks Tey station is sharply curved. In preparation for Class 150 DMUs being introduced to the Sudbury line in 2001, four raised access platforms were fixed to the existing platform in positions corresponding to the train doors, to reduce the stepping distance for passengers. Because these platforms were not intended for use with Class 153 DMUs, separate stop markers were provided in May 2001 for each type of unit [21.70]. In the Up direction, the stopping position for both classes was the same, and an additional stop marker for all trains was provided [21.71]. These markers were removed in 2010, when Class 150s were prohibited from working on the Sudbury line.

[21.70] Stop Marker (e.g. applicable to Class 153 units). Area: Marks Tey   Usage: Low   Status: Historical	[21.71] Stop Marker. Area: Marks Tey   Usage: Low   Status: Historical

The car stop markers at some branch line stations in Cornwall have a figure in the middle between the words "car" and "stop", all in white characters on a black background [21.72].

[21.72] Car Stop Marker. Area: Cornwall   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent

At some stations managed by Arriva Trains Wales, the car stop markers that apply to trains of different lengths show the relevant number of cars above and below a diagonal line in the manner of a fraction [21.73]. The letters "DMU" are added to the upper right-hand corner of signs that apply specifically to diesel multiple units [21.74].

[21.73] Car Stop Marker. Area: Arriva Trains Wales   Usage: Low   Status: Uncertain	[21.74] DMU Car Stop Marker. Area: Arriva Trains Wales   Usage: Low   Status: Uncertain

South West Trains installed its own style of car stop markers, which have the words "car stop" written in capital letters on a white band at the bottom [21.75]. A stop marker applicable to electric multiple units may be suffixed with the letters "EMU" [21.76]. At stations with short platforms, a stop marker with a letter "X" [21.77] beyond the platform end indicates the position where the front of an 8-car train should stop so that all the passenger doors will be beside the platform.

[21.75] Car Stop Markers ( (a) - for one length of train; (b) - for trains of different lengths ). Area: South West Trains   Usage: High   Status: Obsolescent	[21.76] EMU Car Stop Marker. Area: South West Trains   Usage: Low   Status: Obsolescent	[21.77] "X Car Stop" Marker. Area: South West Trains   Usage: Low   Status: Obsolescent

Stop markers with the legend "ECS" were provided at the west end of Branksome station in June 2001 [21.78]. These apply to empty coaching stock (ECS) trains reversing on the Down line. The markers are positioned such that most of the train can be drawn clear of the platform, with just the rear cab remaining on the platform for signal sighting purposes.

[21.78] ECS Stop Marker. Area: Branksome   Usage: Low   Status: Uncertain

From 2002, stop markers were introduced that applied only to Virgin Trains' 'Voyager' and 'Pendolino' trains. These have the letters "VT" at the top and white figures on a black background [21.79]. A stop marker applicable to any length of train has no figure but bears the word "stop" [21.80].

[21.79] Car Stop Markers ( (a) - for one length of train; (b) - for trains of different lengths ). Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: High   Status: Obsolescent	[21.80] Stop Marker. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent

Services between London Euston and Holyhead are formed of Class 390 'Pendolino' electric units. Since the route is not electrified between Crewe and Holyhead, the Pendolinos are 'dragged' by Class 57 diesel locomotives over the non-electrified part, where appropriate stop markers are provided [21.81].

A stop marker with a letter "T" at the bottom [21.82] applies only to services that turn back at the station.

[21.81] Stop Marker applicable to loco-hauled Class 390 trains. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Low   Status: Obsolescent	[21.82] Car Stop Marker for services turning back. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent

Where a precision stop is required for longer trains, the stop marker has a letter "X" at the bottom [21.83] to indicate to drivers that the front of the train must be stopped at that precise spot. Another variant states the class of train to which it applies [21.84].

[21.83] Precision Stop Marker. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent	[21.84] Precision Stop Marker applicable only to Class 390 ('Pendolino') trains. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Low   Status: Obsolescent

Stop markers with black characters on a white background [21.85] were provided at some locations remote from station platforms, where Class 390 'Pendolino' units regularly stop to make a reversing movement.

[21.85] Stop Marker applicable to reversing Class 390 trains. Area: Virgin Trains   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent

Certain stop signals that are positioned a short distance ahead of a station platform have been designated as 'remote platform starting signals'. When one of these signals displays a 'danger' aspect, drivers of passenger trains that have completed station duties are not allowed to draw up to the signal to await its clearance. They must instead remain at the station, to avoid the train stopping while it is only partly alongside the platform, since people may attempt to board it. So that signals designated as remote platform starting signals are readily identifiable to drivers, experimental signs were installed on the Edinburgh - Glasgow line (Scotland Zone) in November 2002. The signs, fitted to all car stop markers at the platform concerned, identify the signal ahead as a remote platform starting signal and indicate the means by which the driver should contact the signalman if the signal is at 'danger' [21.86 & 21.87]. In most cases, a telephone number is displayed [21.86], and the driver would use this to contact the signalman over the National Radio Network (NRN) (see Section 19). However, some signs advise the driver to use the telephone on the platform, where one is provided [21.87].

[21.86] Experimental 'Remote Platform Starting Signal' Identification Sign. Area: Scotland Zone   Usage: Medium   Status: Obsolescent	[21.87] Experimental 'Remote Platform Starting Signal' Identification Sign. Area: Scotland Zone   Usage: Low   Status: Current

In January 2003, a special stop marker was provided on Platform 4 at Balham station. The marker, which applied only to Class 460 Gatwick Express trains, bore the legend "car stop mark if stopped on VC628" [21.88]. If the platform starting signal (number VC628) was showing a 'danger' aspect, the train had to be brought to a stand at this sign, which was located at a distance of 21 metres from the signal.

[21.88] Special Stop Marker for Class 460 trains. Area: Balham   Usage: Low   Status: Historical