Understanding Railway Platform Signals: The 'OFF' Sign in the UK
When traveling by train in the United Kingdom, understanding the various signals and signs on railway station platforms is crucial for ensuring a safe and efficient journey. One of the most common and important signs is the 'OFF' indication. This article aims to explain what this sign means and why it is important, as well as to explore related signals used in the UK railway system.
The 'OFF' Sign on UK Railway Platforms
The 'OFF' sign on UK railway station platforms indicates that boarding the train at that location is not permitted. This sign often appears in places where a train is not scheduled to stop, or due to safety regulations. Its primary purpose is to ensure the safety of passengers by preventing them from boarding at the wrong location and to avoid confusion regarding where trains will stop.
Examples of 'OFF' Sign Usage
1. Non-Stop Stations: At some stations, certain platforms are designated as 'OFF' because the trains do not stop there. Passengers should be mindful of this and move to the correct platform where they are permitted to board.
2. Platform Modifications: During platform modifications or maintenance, certain areas may be off-limits. The 'OFF' sign will guide passengers to accessible areas.
Bidirectional Platforms and Related Indicators
For bidirectional platforms, where trains run in both directions, additional signals and indicators are used for safety and efficiency.
Bi-Directional Platform Signals
A bi-directional platform can have an 'OFF UP' indicator, indicating that trains running in the up direction (typically towards London) are not stopping at that particular platform location.
Close Door Signals (CD)
The 'Close Doors' (CD) signal is used to notify the driver and the train guard that the doors on the train should be closed. This is commonly used when the platform staff or train guard need to ensure that the doors are shut.
Right Away (RA) Signal
The 'Right Away' (RA) signal is another important indicator that informs the driver that it is safe to proceed without stopping at the platform.
Platform Signals and Rail Safety
The 'OFF' and other platform signals are integral to rail safety. For instance, the 'OFF' signal helps prevent the so-called 'ding ding and away' errors, where a driver might pass a signal at danger by relying on the signal from the guard and forgetting to check the signal.
Platform Signal Indicators
On bidirectional platforms, a more advanced indicator system is used to ensure safety:
Down (DN) and Up (UP) Signals
The 'Down' (DN) signal is the starting signal for the direction facing away from London. It shows whether the train can proceed. For bidirectional platforms, the 'OFF' signal is displayed when the up or down signal changes from danger (red) to a proceed aspect. Additionally, for bidirectional platforms with more than one departure direction, the signal will show 'OFF UP' or 'OFF DN' as appropriate.
Platform 5 at Shipley Station
As an example, at Shipley railway station, platform 5 is used by Skipton to Bradford services in both directions. The platform is single track, and the repeater shows 'OFF BFD' for Bradford-bound trains and 'OFF KLY' for those heading towards Keighley and Skipton.
Conclusion
Understanding the various signs and signals on UK railway platforms is essential for every passenger. The 'OFF' sign, along with other indicators like 'Close Doors' and 'Right Away,' play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and organized train journey. By familiarizing oneself with these signs, travelers can avoid confusion and ensure a smooth commute.