Railway Department,
Board of Trade,
Whitehall, S.W.
29th April, 1858

Sir,

Several cases have recently occurred in which the opening of New Lines of Railway has been postponed because certain of the requirements of the Inspecting Officer had not been completed.

In order to prevent as far as possible the disappointment which such postponement must occasion to the Companies, the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council for Trade have considered it desirable to forward the accompanying statement which sets forth some of these requirements, a deficiency in which has generally caused the opening of new lines of Railway to be postponed.

I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant,
(Sgd) Douglas Calton

The Secretaries to 79 Railway Companies

At the Stations

Platforms to be not less than 6 feet wide, and when raised, the descent at the ends should be by means of ramps, and not by steps.

Clocks to be provided in a position where they are visible from the line.
Signals and distant signals in each direction to be erected.

The lever handles of switches and signals to be placed in the most convenient position, and to be brought as close together as possible, so as to be under the hand of the person working them. The switches to be provided with double connecting rods.

No Facing Points, except on single lines or at double junctions. In the case of Facing Points at junctions, it is most desirable that the signals should be connected with the points so as to be worked in conjunction with them, and to indicate whether they are open or shut.

Sidings, if falling towards the line, or on a level, to be provided with locked chock blocks, or locked points, leading into a blind siding.

Turntables for engines to be erected at terminal stations.

As Regards the Line Generally

No standing work above the level of the carriage steps to be nearer to the rail than 3 feet 6 inches, where the carriages are not above 7 feet 4 inches in width, outside measurement.

The interval between adjacent lines of rails, and between lines of rails and sidings, must not be less than 6 feet.

When stations occur on, or immediately contiguous to, a viaduct, a parapet wall on each side, 3 feet high, should be built, with a hand railing or a fence on the top sufficient to prevent passengers from falling over the viaduct in the dark.

At all level crossings of turnpike roads or of important public roads, the gates must be so constructed as to be capable of closing across the Railway as well as across the road.

A fixed signal, either attached to the gate or otherwise, to be placed at every level crossing, and when the level crossing is so situated that an approaching train cannot be seen for a sufficient distance, distant signals will be required.

Main signals and distant signals for each line are required, all junctions.

Where the lines are single, an undertaking will be required, to be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Company, that the line shall be worked in such a manner that only one engine in steam, or two or more when coupled together and forming part of a train, shall ever be upon the single line, or upon defined portions thereof at one and the same time.