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Signal Box Photos


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I have a few more photos of signal boxes to post (not many, a dozen or so). I will class these as being in my "collection" rather than my "archive". The difference? The "archive" photos are those I amassed during my time on BR/Railtrack/NR that I visited on official business and managed to take photos of. My "collection" consists of photos of 'boxes I've found at shows/exhibitions/ebay that I thought interesting (to me at least - in some cases not just the 'box itself but other "features" I like). Some of the following photos are of locations I have visited on official business but not had a camera with me, so I'm relying on other peoples photos. However many photos I have posted on this thread, I have probably visited 3 or 4 times as many (or more) during my railway career, but at the time I never had the foresight to carry a camera - if only! 

 

First up, Barton Hill (York-Scarborough line), an LNER design of 1936. A black & white shot to complement the one posted on page 19 by Poor Old Bruce. I've had my lunch in this 'box a couple of times when a trainee with the York-Malton S&T Lineman.

1743680636_BartonHill.JPG.4ce120347e77e1bd8eb43661b8190fa3.JPG

 

Bullcroft Junction HB & GC Joint Rly of 1916.

54190947_BullcroftJnc.jpg.b91327af5a3ca53605ca4126c820b031.jpg

 

A of Cliff Common NER of 1912. The first one, although undated, is an earlier photo than the second as it shows the original signal (an NER slotted post I believe). In the second photo this signal has been replaced with a later bracket signal, plus the wooden building on the platform has gone.

150362274_CliffCommon2.jpg.d3be76ce1869c78f68e897880d675912.jpg

 

1362518195_CliffCommon.JPG.aa88531b92fd401568807a93a5202f3b.JPG

 

 

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A couple of 'boxes on the former North London Railway today, I think both date from around 1890-ish. Sorry, I don't have any other details as to the origin or date of the photos only that I was given these copies during the East London Line project back in about 2008 or so. 

 

Dalston Junction

dalstonjcn.jpg.37d48728641dbc7203f9fbbfbc6aeb48.jpg

 

And two of Dunloe Street.

dunloestreet.jpg.cc572fc4a4eeec2e6f2f0e0f62b9eead.jpg

 

dunloest-v.jpg.7cff79561028cd8990fa804a6fd9aae2.jpg

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Today's selection.

 

Pollington. A HB & GC Joint Rly 'box which I think dates from about 1913. It may have started life as "Snaith & Pollington". @micknich2003 will correct me if I've got this last bit wrong.

966411691_Pollington(27March1954).jpg.cc89175cde7a2062244b75910bceb3a8.jpg

 

Harrogate South. An NER 'box of 1897. Didn't seem to get photographed much, perhaps due to its location, but more likely because of its less than photogenic design and appearance.

1481315797_HarrogateSouth.jpg.60df8636070233363405d74feb2d1b08.jpg

 

Winning. Another NER 'box of 1895. At the time of the photo, permissive block working was the order of the day between Winning and Freemans Crossing (haven't checked if "permissive block" is still in use today). The first engine + van (65855) is taking the route towards Bedlington North with Class C head lamp. I presume the second loco will take the other route towards Marcheys House/Ashington (with what looks like Class D head lamp). There are at least four on the footplate of 65855 with what appears to be some instructions being passed to the signaller.

1998287411_J2765855Winning.jpg.4fedf1a7e964dd1d2ebece19d1a63a23.jpg

 

 

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55 minutes ago, micknich2003 said:

Dear Ian. Snaith and Pollington,  EoD App. 30 levers, ordered fro Saxby and Farmer 1913, signalbox 1m 48c from Aire Jct. H&B and GCRly Jiont Line opened to traffic 1st May 1916.  If anyone is interested, I have further information.

Many thanks Mick. 

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Today's selection are of some GE 'boxes, ranging in dates from around 1845 to 1875 (I'm sure someone will be able to provide the correct dates for each one). I found these photos on ebay and all appear to have been taken on various train journeys. Perhaps not the best photos, but an historical record nonetheless.

 

Glemsford dated August 1966. I think the photo is taken at the rear of a DMU, possibly a Derby Lightweight? There is also a nice loading gauge just in front of the signal on the left.

1016844734_Glemsford(August1966).jpg.e784a50a9d2cb52749f90404ff631f91.jpg

 

Magdalen Road also dated August 1966.

978029668_MagdelenRoad(August1966).jpg.bea7a2394fe2250f9afa3ed50f222b51.jpg

 

Shelford Junction dated August 1965.

989982759_ShelfordJnc(August1965).jpg.c05136300638d0d706585795803514f2.jpg

 

Although only the date is written on the back of the photo I think this is Wisbech Station, dated May 1968.

1229081469_WisbeachStation(August1968).jpg.050320d6f0739ce7cdbe5262f2706e4f.jpg

 

 

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Ian, Howden East opened with the line in 1885. It closed 1939, bur still had its "Rocker" locking frame as late as 1955. A former workmate told me the frame was eventually removed and the structure retained as a Linemans' Room. Signalling layouts attached ex c1904 Diagram Book.

 

 

30 HOWDEN EAST.JPG

31 HOWDEN WEST.JPG

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19 minutes ago, micknich2003 said:

Ian, Howden East opened with the line in 1885. It closed 1939, bur still had its "Rocker" locking frame as late as 1955. A former workmate told me the frame was eventually removed and the structure retained as a Linemans' Room. Signalling layouts attached ex c1904 Diagram Book.

 

 

30 HOWDEN EAST.JPG

31 HOWDEN WEST.JPG

Once again I'm indebted to you Mick, many thanks for the detail.

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Back to the Skegness line, the next box I have was Little Steeping (or Little Sleeping according to Platform 5's Track Atlas), GNR, 8 Aug 1979. Very similar photos, one on the outward journey and one on the return, but I have put them both in for completeness. Not sure where plumb is (was) so I've gone with the horizon and signal post. Should have perhaps gone a bit more!

1198758543_2013-01-14_64LittleSteeping8Aug1979.JPG.25af56005bf7f2e5e36aae17d41922a3.JPG

 

1537043255_2013-01-14_82LittleSteeping8Aug1979.JPG.72923868de3404b57e12ef841ebe8dd4.JPG

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2 hours ago, Poor Old Bruce said:

Not sure where plumb is (was) so I've gone with the horizon and signal post. Should have perhaps gone a bit more!

 

 

1537043255_2013-01-14_82LittleSteeping8Aug1979.JPG.72923868de3404b57e12ef841ebe8dd4.JPG

 

Yes, signal posts are usually but not always vertical.  Telegraph poles often aren't - they tend to lean following the prevailing wind especially on exposed stretches of line in that part of the country.  Makes no difference here, but I would always take the gatepost as the upright, because the track will be more or less level and unless the gate is hinged on a perpendicular post it must either foul or lift too high when swung.

 

I think it's fair to say that box has suffered some subsidence and I wouldn't be surprised if the only level surface in the place is actually the "sloping" front of the booking desk!  The poor bobby will need bricks under two of the table legs to keep his cuppa from spilling.

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3 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

At least that box is right way.  But the signal isn't - unless it's the effects of the camera lens.

Going by your earlier mention of the gate-post being the most probable item to be properly vertical, it's the signal that's wonky.

 

John

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