The Signalling Record Society
British Railways Headquarters
Other and Special Instructions Digital Archive
The railways have frequently issued notices of instruction that have operational significance but which don't fall readily into the main categories of the archive. These include notices of electrification, loading of trains, safety, local and more general instructions. Many of these items would today be included in Section 'D' of the weekly notices.
Most documents in the digital archive are in PDF format. However, some larger files may be in JPG, PDF, PNG or TIF format. The files are supplied strictly “As Is”. The entries in each list will make it clear what is available to download and what is only available by other means.
Please do not pass copies of the files around, instead ask interested persons to contact the Society to obtain their own copy. In terms of copyright, British Railways (Residuary) Ltd confirmed to the Society that it was 'not interested' in historical documents that had outlived their operational usefulness and this line seems to have been followed by Railtrack and now Network Rail, as may be evidenced by the quantity of modern material that has entered the public domain through eBay and other auction houses and second hand bookstalls. Similar advice has been received from London Underground in respect of material obtained lawfully from their staff or is already in the public domain.
If there is a download link in the left hand column, the notice concerned may be downloaded free of charge but bear in mind that the file may not contain all the items listed. Otherwise, if there is a “Members' Download” entry present in the item description, then Members (only) may download a copy of the file. If both links are present then Members will sometimes find additional information or a cleaner copy is available by using the “Members' Download” link.
Members will find the information needed to Log-in in the current issue of SRS News. Non-members will need to JOIN the SRS first which will entitle them to receive copies of SRS News when they are published.
Notices flagged with an asterisk (*) are not included in the free download file.
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| Number | Issue Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 87223 | April 1950 | Procedure to be Adopted and Standard Instructions in connection with Train and Traffic Control. |
| 29197 | January 1961 | Route Restrictions for British Railways Standard Coaching Stock. |
| 25833/30 | June 1963 | Amendments 2 to Extracts from Book of Regulations. Members' Download |
| 29775 | October 1978 | Signalling at Junctions: New Flashing Aspects. Members' Download |
| 33076 | January 1980 | Class 370 Trains (APT-P), working instructions. |
| 33069/2 | October 1980 | Class 253 & 254 Trains, working instructions. |
| 32709/46 | January 1981 | Movement of Traction Units in Railway Workshop Yards, Maintenance/Servicing Depots and Sidings Within Depot Outlet Signal. |
| 33070/4 | September 1981 | Class 317 EMU Trains, working instructions. |
| February 1994 | Fighting Fire. Instruction manual issued by Trainload Communications for Trainload Safety. Members' Download |
|
| Undated | Check list for signalling drawings indicating what should be included. |