From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected


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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that
indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were
built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches,
all part of Translink.

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:33:46 GMT
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> gabbled:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that
indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image6004

54223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt >inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >all part of Translink.

Given how long Ireland was part of the UK before railways were invented and NI still is, its rather odd just how different irish rail is to GB rail, not least the track gauge.

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway


boltar@caprica.universe posted:

On Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:33:46 GMT
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> gabbled:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image6004

54223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt >inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >all part of Translink.

Given how long Ireland was part of the UK before railways were invented and NI
still is, its rather odd just how different irish rail is to GB rail, not least
the track gauge.

Also used in Australia/Brazil and formerly in Baden, Switzerland, New Zealand and an area next to Altoona. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge_in_Ireland
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that
indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS
--
Colin

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway


ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> posted:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Hm. Something about Northern Counties Committee
somersault signals introduced to existing lines? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Counties_Committee#/media/File:NCC_Carrick_down_home.jpg
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train
station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt >> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were
built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different
companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple
gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard
gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1rUa2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge"
(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the
legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the
Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:25:10 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>>>> They donAt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itAs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnAt
inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>> built in Britain, either. ItAs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >>> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different >companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple >gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard >gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1?2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge"
(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the >legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the >Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the >Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. >Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt >> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were
built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Not all of it, some trackage such as the Belfast to Dublin main line
belonged to the Great Northern of Ireland Railway . The partition of
Ireland and subsequent border meant it became an International operation so
nationalisation by either state would only have affected assets in that
state so initially it was easier to just let it continue as an independent company. Both governments were
forced to do something when the company in the late 1940rCOs s became unprofitable and by the early 1950rCOs indicated it would just close down. The two governments reacted by jointly purchasing the company and ran it
via a board with members appointed by both states .
This board oversaw the closure of some branches and some modernisation ,
the Northern members wanted to close more and eventually did so despite objections from the South as some of these lines crossed the border. After this it was decided that the respective state operators would take over
what remained in their respective territoryrCOs and the GNR(I). was wound up
in in 1958.
A real anomaly was the Dundalk Newry and Greenore Railway which ended up
with the LNWR but instead of always being operated by the LMS(NCC) after
the grouping was leased to the GNR(I) in the 1930rCOs.
This was one of those railway schemes that was supposed to create its own traffic by turning Greenore into a ferry port with a route to Holyhead but
it never became that busy though for a few years the very large and grand Railway hotel and Golf Course owned by the Railway did reasonably well but again partition caused difficulties and traffic faded away.
Its status of being worked by the GNR(I) meant it did not become part of
the UTA but as it and the Port was technically owned by the successor to
the LMS(NCC) it was vested with the British Transport Commission who were saddled with it after the line and ferry port ceased operation in 1951.
Owning assets in a foreign country wasnrCOt ideal so the BTC sold them off in 1957.
The Port was purchased by a staunch Republican whorCOs father had been shot
in the 1916 Easter uprising in Dublin. He used it to operate a couple of coasters he ran but eager like many Irishman are to get a pop back at the British Authorities was happy to allow his Son and associates to use it to convert a former Danish Ferry and also an old German Coaster into the floating radio stations that became Radio Caroline .e

The large hotel long derelict was demolished about twenty years ago
despite objections from some as new owners wanted to upgrade the Port .
In truth it was likely in very bad condition and even modernised would be
hard to fill.
The Station went years before so all that remains to show the LNWR
connection is the main road serving the Port is called Euston street.

GH
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:25:10 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They don-At use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think it-As all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasn-At >>>> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>>> built in Britain, either. It-As much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >>>> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different
companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple
gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard
gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1?2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge"
(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the
legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the
Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the
Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. >> Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.

Not Africa. British South and East Africa used Cape gauge, even for trains
with a much larger loading gauge than BritainrCOs. Much of the rest of Africa was metre gauge.

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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.

Not Africa. British South and East Africa used Cape gauge, even for trains with a much larger loading gauge than BritainrCOs. Much of the rest of Africa was metre gauge.

Some time ago I wondered why the secondary network of Railways constructed
in India at the height of British influence were built to Metre Gauge
rather than 3ft or the 3ft 6rCY the latter being widely used in Britains colonies. And though its use in Africa got the 3ft6rCY its Cape Gauge label even in Africa some British controlled lines were built to Metre Gauge,
ICBW I think that was partly because some equipment from India was
available.
But to get back as to why India chose Metre rather than 3ft or 3ft6rCY it
turns out to be the work of one influential person who was campaigning to metricate the country but only managed to get as far as the secondary
railways.
Story on this link.

<https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/eras/indian-railways>

The suggestion that something wider than what we now call std gauge would
be better is not a new question but those places that did end up with a noticeably wider gauge often found that for economic reasons they had to
have a secondary narrow gauge network.
Ireland had its 3ft gauge lines , India its metre gauge network, Spain and Portugal also had a lot of Metre Gauge with a reasonable amount remaining
in use . The South American countries of Brazil and Argentina Metre gauge systems ended up with greater milage than their broad gauge routes.
Meanwhile India is rapidly replacing its Meter gauge where traffic
justifies it by converting lines to Broad Gauge a project started in the 1990rCOs.

GH
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 16/08/2026 23:28, Marland wrote:

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.

Not Africa. British South and East Africa used Cape gauge, even for trains >> with a much larger loading gauge than BritainrCOs. Much of the rest of Africa
was metre gauge.

Some time ago I wondered why the secondary network of Railways constructed
in India at the height of British influence were built to Metre Gauge
rather than 3ft or the 3ft 6rCY the latter being widely used in Britains colonies. And though its use in Africa got the 3ft6rCY its Cape Gauge label even in Africa some British controlled lines were built to Metre Gauge,
ICBW I think that was partly because some equipment from India was
available.

The Uganda railway was built by railway engineers from India, for the construction phase second-hand locos and stock came from India.
Similarly the actual workforce came from the sub-continent, mainly from
the Punjab. They later became the nucleus of the Asian communities in
East Africa.
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.


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From Newsgroup: uk.railway


Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:25:10 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They don-At use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think it-As all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasn-At
inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>>> built in Britain, either. It-As much more linked to NI buses and coaches,
all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different
companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple
gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard
gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin >> and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1?2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge"
(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the >> legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the >> Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the
Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge.
Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in Action in Africa and India.

Not Africa. British South and East Africa used Cape gauge, even for trains with a much larger loading gauge than BritainrCOs.

South Africa used 1435 before it came to crossing mountain sections.
1435 came back on Gautrein.

Much of the rest of Africa
was metre gauge.

Even Egypt?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Delta_Light_Railways https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_National_Railways#1833%E2%80%931877 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_National_Railways#Narrow_gauge
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway


Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> posted:

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:25:10 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They don-At use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think it-As all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasn-At >>> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>> built in Britain, either. It-As much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >>> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different >companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple >gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard >gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended >that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin >and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1?2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge" >(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the >legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the >Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the >Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. >Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade >investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in >(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the >costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.

India is now adding Standard gauge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai%E2%80%93Ahmedabad_high-speed_rail_corridor

Regards, ULF
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations: >>>>> They donrCOt use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think itrCOs all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasnrCOt >>> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>> built in Britain, either. ItrCOs much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >>> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland

The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1rUa2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge" (then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

Just like IT standards committees, whose job includes not allowing the
people who introduced the standard to have too much of a commercial head
start.

Sam
--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply
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From Newsgroup: uk.railway

On 8/16/26 7:18 PM, Recliner wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 15:25:10 GMT, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com>
wrote:

ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:

On 15/08/2026 19:33, Recliner wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

On a trip to NI for the first time. Just some minor railway observations:
They don-At use the standard GB double arrow symbol on road signs that >>>>>>> indicate stations, but rather this

https://www.alamy.com/adelaide-train-station-belfast-northern-ireland-image600454223.html

A few small stations I noticed from the road were called <name> train >>>>>>> station, not railway station.

Title spelling corrected

I think it-As all evidence that NI Rail was never part of BR, and hasn-At >>>>> inherited any BR styling or terminology. None of its current trains were >>>>> built in Britain, either. It-As much more linked to NI buses and coaches, >>>>> all part of Translink.

Although historically it was part of the LMS

Irish railways have a long, complicated history, with many different
companies, just as in Great Britain. As in Britain, they used multiple
gauges, and even after many mergers, still had three different standard
gauges. In a carefully neutral decision, a common gauge was recommended
that was previously used by none of them.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Ireland >>>
The first three railways in Ireland all had different gauges: the Dublin >>> and Kingstown Railway used 4 ft 8+1?2 in (1,435 mm) "Stephenson gauge"
(then the dominant gauge in England, Scotland, and Wales, but not yet the >>> legal standard in those countries or worldwide as it would later be); the >>> Ulster Railway used a very broad gauge of 6 ft 2 in (1,880 mm); and the
Dublin and Drogheda Railway used the less-broad 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm) gauge. >>> Following complaints from the Ulster Railway, the Board of Trade
investigated the matter, and in 1843 recommended the use of 5 ft 3 in
(1,600 mm) and that compensation be paid to the Ulster Railway for the
costs incurred in changing to the new gauge.

With hindsight, British engineers came to accept that something wider
than 4ft 8.5in would have been better, thinking that could be seen in
Action in Africa and India.

Not Africa. British South and East Africa used Cape gauge, even for trains with a much larger loading gauge than BritainrCOs. Much of the rest of Africa was metre gauge.

That restricts speeds to about 100 kilometres.
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