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Close up showing the 20 mph British Railways standard cut-out speed restriction sign located at the end of the up platform

Close up showing the 20 mph British Railways standard cut-out speed restriction sign located at the end of the up platform. This design was different to the standard GWR sign being adopted by British Railways following an accident on 23rd January 1955 when a derailment occurred at Sutton Coldfield, causing the deaths of seventeen people. An express train, which had been diverted from its usual route, derailed at a speed of around 60 mph on a curve restricted to 30 mph. As a recommendation of the Ministry of Transport's report into the accident, British Railways reconsidered the provision of speed restriction signs and decided to adopt the LNER system (as above but painted white) as standard across the whole network. In 1963, following what had been an exceptionally cold winter, British Railways took the decision to re-paint all cut-out speed restriction signs yellow in order to improve their visibility in snow.

Robert Ferris writes, 'I have just been through the BR Birmingham Sectional Appendix (October 1960) and BR Appendix to STT (April 1953)and cannot see any permanent speed restrictions on the up line here at Leamington. There is one going the other way (25 m.p.h.) on the main to platform line route (not unsurprisingly as this would be a facing junction for down trains). My Cookes plans show these particular lines being taken out of use 19th July 1966 at the same time as the South Signal Box was closed (so that will date the photograph), but I can't see why there would be a permanent speed restriction on the up line here if there wasn't one before. For information, only the South end connections were taken out of use in 1966 converting the loops behind the up platform in to sidings, the north end connects remained until 23rd May 1976. I suspect this is temporary speed restriction due to the junction having just been lifted and the new track not bedded in yet on this curve'. Further information on speed restriction signs is provided below:

The Great Western Railway General Appendix to the Rule Book (1st Aug 1936) says:-

Permanent Restriction of Speed Indicators
Indicators, illuminated at night are provided in connection with certain permanent restrictions of speed which are specially noted in the schedule of 'Maximum Speed of Trains' in the Service Time Tables. The indicator is fixed in rear of the junction or other specified place where the speed restriction operates. The actual position depends upon circumstances, and a permanent restriction of speed indicator is not, therefore, an indication of the point at which reduction of speed should commence, but a reminder to Drivers of the restriction of speed to which it refers.

The 1st January 1959 BR document G.A.35 Op. Alterations and Additions to the General Appendix to the Rule Book included the modification which introduced the new sign:-
Permanent Restriction of Speed Indicators
The following to be substituted for the existing instructions under this heading:-
Indicators, illuminated at night are provided in connection with certain permanent restrictions of speed which are specially noted in the schedule of 'Maximum Speed of Trains' in the Working Time Tables. The indicator is fixed in rear of the junction or other specified place where the speed restriction operates. The actual position depends upon circumstances, and a permanent restriction of speed indicator is not, therefore, an indication of the point at which reduction of speed should commence, but a reminder to Drivers of the restriction of speed to which it refers.
In connection with certain other permanent restrictions of speed, which are also specifically noted in the schedules of 'Maximum Speed of Trains' in the Working Time Tables, signs having cut-out numerals painted white, about 1 foot 6 inches in height and fixed approximately 6 feet above ground level, except at places of limited clearance where a dwarf indicator, approximately 3 feet above ground level, and placed at the commencement of the speed restrictions, are being provided. These latter signs will not be illuminated and will be installed in accordance with the following arrangements:-
  1. The upper limit of speed permitted for a route is not so indicated, either in respect of the main line or any parallel lines, i.e. Slow, Relief, Goods, etc.
  2. Except as shown in paragraph 6, speed restrictions within those upper limits are indicated by signs fixed at approximately the commencing point of the speed restriction.
  3. Speed restriction signs applicable to routes diverging either to the right or to the left have arrow indications provided on the post below the numerals and pointing in the direction of the line over which the speed restriction applies.
  4. Where there is a speed restriction on both routes over a diverging junction two signs are provided. The sign for the lower speed route, with arrow indication, is fixed at approximately the commencing point of the speed restriction, and the sign for the higher speed route, without arrow indication, at approximately 40 yards on the approach side of the first mentioned sign.
  5. At two way diverging junctions where the speed restrictions over the junction are the same for each route, one sign only is provided with two arrows, one pointing in each direction.
  6. Signs are not provided at junctions between parallel lines, or facing crossover roads, or when entering or leaving slow, relief, goods loops, platform or bay lines, etc., where the general speed restriction as prescribed in the Sectional Appendices, or other publications, is 15 m.p.h. (or such other general speed restriction as laid down). Where, however, the permissible speed through such a junction is above or below the general speed restriction, a sign is provided.
  7. The indicator signs mark the commencement of the speed restrictions only and in no way relieve the driver from the necessity of obeying all restrictions shewn in the Sectional Appendices or other publication.

BR General Appendix to Working Timetables (1st October 1960) says:-

Permanent Speed Restrictions - Indicator Signs
Permanent Speed Restriction Indicator Signs which shew by means of white numerals fixed on posts about six feet above rail level, the maximum permissible speed immediately ahead, are erected at the lineside in accordance with the following arrangements:-
1. The upper limit of speed permitted for a route is not so indicated, either in respect of the main line or any parallel lines, i.e. Slow, Relief, Goods, etc.
2. Except as shown in paragraph 6, speed restrictions within those upper limits are indicated by signs fixed at approximately the commencing point of the speed restriction.
3. Speed restriction signs applicable to routes diverging either to the right or to the left have arrow indications provided on the post below the numerals and pointing in the direction of the line over which the speed restriction applies.
4. Where there is a speed restriction on both routes over a diverging junction two signs are provided. The sign for the lower speed route, with arrow indication, is fixed at approximately the commencing point of the speed restriction, and the sign for the higher speed route, without arrow indication, at approximately 40 yards on the approach side of the first mentioned sign.
5. At two way diverging junctions where the speed restrictions over the junction are the same for each route, one sign only is provided with two arrows, one pointing in each direction.
6. Signs are not provided at junctions between parallel lines, or facing crossover roads, or when entering or leaving slow, relief, goods loops, platform or bay lines, etc., where the general speed restriction as prescribed in the Sectional Appendices, or other publications, is 15 m.p.h. (or such other general speed restriction as laid down). Where, however, the permissible speed through such a junction is above or below the general speed restriction, a sign is provided.
7. The indicator signs mark the commencement of the speed restrictions only and in no way relieve the driver from the necessity of obeying all restrictions shewn in the Sectional Appendices or other publication.

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