In the wake of The Great War much debate took place about the rates of pay (and conditions of service) of railwaymen which was to lead to standardisation in the methods of arriving at an acceptable way of reflecting the different levels of responsibility in respect of jobs that carried the same or very similar titles. One of the outcomes of the discussions was the Marks System which allowed signalmen to be graded (and paid) depending on the volume of traffic and the complexity of the signal box in which they worked.

In this paper, Larry Crosier looks at the Marks System of classification that was devised and brought into use in 1922 and served until 1972 when it was overtaken by a new system.

Larry takes us through the original Memorandum of Agreement that set out how the number of Marks related to the rates of pay of signalmen, relief signalmen and traffic regulators, and abolished the grade of assistant signalman. The meaning of the term "Signalman" was defined clearly and differentiated them from Gatemen and Pointsmen; and the allocation of former job titles to either signalman or relief signalman.

The number of Marks that were assigned to each action are listed, whether they be operating the levers, crossing gates or block instruments or just passing messages or other activities.

This signalling paper is supplied as a photocopied booklet. Copies are created to order - we don't keep piles of them on the shelves - so there can easily be a three week gap between you ordering and the booklet dropping through your letter box. The wait will be worth it!

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