Central line signals

[dave1]

Can anyone help at the top of the signals used (outside) above the top aspect there appears to be a plate with 4 screws, now is this covering something or is there another purpose.

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[Nortube]

Looking at the diagram, that specific signal (NEP 6357) has three aspects and two signs.
One sign is ROUTE SECURED which can be illuminated in certain circumstances in the event of a signal failure.

If NEP 6357 is remaining at danger, an illuminated ROUTE SECURED sign proves to the driver that the points are proved detected in the position for the route ahead. On instructions to proceed, the driver can apply the rule at the signal and pass over the points without the points needing to be physically secured (with scotch and clip). This saves a lot of time.

Similar to the way that a signal will not go to green if the points are not detected fully in their correct position, the ROUTE SECURED sign cannot be illuminated if the points aren't detected fully in position.

I assume that the rectangular box at the bottom is the ROUTE SECURED sign.


As there is a choice of two routes from that signal, there would be an indication as to whether the route would be set for route 1 (points normal, straight ahead), route 2 (reversed) into the loop. I assume that this is what the top box is - it's the right size and shape. As it's blanked off, I assume that either:
route 2 to the loop is not in use from that signal
or
there is no longer a need for the route number to be physically displayed on the signal post.

[dave1]

Jan 30, 2017 19:22:30 GMT Nortube said:

Looking at the diagram, that specific signal (NEP 6357) has three aspects and two signs.
One sign is ROUTE SECURED which can be illuminated in certain circumstances in the event of a signal failure.

If NEP 6357 is remaining at danger, an illuminated ROUTE SECURED sign proves to the driver that the points are proved detected in the position for the route ahead. On instructions to proceed, the driver can apply the rule at the signal and pass over the points without the points needing to be physically secured (with scotch and clip). This saves a lot of time.

Similar to the way that a signal will not go to green if the points are not detected fully in their correct position, the ROUTE SECURED sign cannot be illuminated if the points aren't detected fully in position.

I assume that the rectangular box at the bottom is the ROUTE SECURED sign.


As there is a choice of two routes from that signal, there would be an indication as to whether the route would be set for route 1 (points normal, straight ahead), route 2 (reversed) into the loop. I assume that this is what the top box is - it's the right size and shape. As it's blanked off, I assume that either:
route 2 to the loop is not in use from that signal
or
there is no longer a need for the route number to be physically displayed on the signal post.

Thanks for clearing up what the other boxes are I sort of suspected something along those lines. The top of the signal head above the top aspect there is no box as such but what looks like a plate which is below the box you are mentioning sorry I did not make myself clear.

[railtechnician]

Nothing sinister about what is simply a blanking plate covering a gap in the display board. I suspect that the display board is a standard size able to accommodate different sized signal heads up to 4 aspect. I concur that the top box is the junction indicator and the bottom box is the route secured sign although it would have been just as easy to use a 4 aspect signal head with the signal occupying the top 3 lamp positions and the bottom lamp position having a plain signal lens with an 'RS' filter.
Blanking plates on LU equipment are as common as muck, this is particularly true of signals which are made to be adaptable to suit local conditions.

[dave1]

Jan 31, 2017 14:31:41 GMT railtechnician said:

Nothing sinister about what is simply a blanking plate covering a gap in the display board. I suspect that the display board is a standard size able to accommodate different sized signal heads up to 4 aspect. I concur that the top box is the junction indicator and the bottom box is the route secured sign although it would have been just as easy to use a 4 aspect signal head with the signal occupying the top 3 lamp positions and the bottom lamp position having a plain signal lens with an 'RS' filter.
Blanking plates on LU equipment are as common as muck, this is particularly true of signals which are made to be adaptable to suit local conditions.

I was not implying that there was anything sinister. I had seen this only on the Central line and thought that I must have imagined it that is why I did a search for photos and every one has the same, it is as though there was something going to be attached. I would be interested in where else these kind of plates were/would be used.

[railtechnician]

Jan 31, 2017 15:54:10 GMT dave1 said:

Jan 31, 2017 14:31:41 GMT railtechnician said:

Nothing sinister about what is simply a blanking plate covering a gap in the display board. I suspect that the display board is a standard size able to accommodate different sized signal heads up to 4 aspect. I concur that the top box is the junction indicator and the bottom box is the route secured sign although it would have been just as easy to use a 4 aspect signal head with the signal occupying the top 3 lamp positions and the bottom lamp position having a plain signal lens with an 'RS' filter.
Blanking plates on LU equipment are as common as muck, this is particularly true of signals which are made to be adaptable to suit local conditions.

I was not implying that there was anything sinister. I had seen this only on the Central line and thought that I must have imagined it that is why I did a search for photos and every one has the same, it is as though there was something going to be attached. I would be interested in where else these kind of plates were/would be used.

As I said signals are a good place to see blanks, e.g. 2 aspect signal in 3 aspect head, SRCL and LRCL heads with pigs ears one side and blanks on the alternative side, coffee pot heads with blanks one side, you have to look closely, lots of equipment was made to be mounted either side of the track, so there'll be blanks on one side, cable entries on the other etc. Blanking plates are possibly the most numerous parts found on the railway, they are found everywhere.

[dave1]

Jan 31, 2017 16:59:22 GMT railtechnician said:

Jan 31, 2017 15:54:10 GMT dave1 said:

I was not implying that there was anything sinister. I had seen this only on the Central line and thought that I must have imagined it that is why I did a search for photos and every one has the same, it is as though there was something going to be attached. I would be interested in where else these kind of plates were/would be used.

As I said signals are a good place to see blanks, e.g. 2 aspect signal in 3 aspect head, SRCL and LRCL heads with pigs ears one side and blanks on the alternative side, coffee pot heads with blanks one side, you have to look closely, lots of equipment was made to be mounted either side of the track, so there'll be blanks on one side, cable entries on the other etc. Blanking plates are possibly the most numerous parts found on the railway, they are found everywhere.

Thanks for identifying the others you mentioned, I have seen coffee pot and the signals you mention having one of the aspects covered but it is not quite the same as the Central line. These are modern signals perhaps they were just a standard design I did look at some NR signals but could not find anything that came close.