British AWS track magnet

A permanent magnet set between the rails.

Also known as: AWS ramp, Track magnet

Engineering & technicalRoad & transportStandard profile

Meanings

A British warning system component in the track that gives a driver an audible warning of the aspect of the signal ahead.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Gives a driver an audible indication in the cab of the aspect of the signal ahead.
Contexts: Public information
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Is a track component rather than a sign, and is included here because it is part of the vocabulary a driver reads even though there is nothing on it to read.
Contexts: Public information

Visual description

A low rectangular box fixed between the running rails, with no marking or device on its flat upper face at all.

Symmetry: none
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

GERT8000 Rule Book, Signals, handsignals, indicators and signs
Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), Great Britain · retrieved 2026-08-24
The British national rule book module covering signals, indicators and lineside signs. Cited for a signal's identity and its defined meaning on the Great Britain network. Records are descriptive; the Rule Book itself is the operating authority and is not reproduced here.
Railway signalling
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-23
Tertiary reference, cited for the conventional form of a marking or signal and where it is used. Where a national authority or standards body defines it, that source is cited alongside and governs.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25

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Meanings

A British warning system component in the track that gives a driver an audible warning of the aspect of the signal ahead.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Gives a driver an audible indication in the cab of the aspect of the signal ahead.

Contexts: Public information

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Is a track component rather than a sign, and is included here because it is part of the vocabulary a driver reads even though there is nothing on it to read.

Contexts: Public information

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

GERT8000 Rule Book, Signals, handsignals, indicators and signs
Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), Great Britain · retrieved 2026-08-24
The British national rule book module covering signals, indicators and lineside signs. Cited for a signal's identity and its defined meaning on the Great Britain network. Records are descriptive; the Rule Book itself is the operating authority and is not reproduced here.
Railway signalling
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-23
Tertiary reference, cited for the conventional form of a marking or signal and where it is used. Where a national authority or standards body defines it, that source is cited alongside and governs.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25