Poor Old Bruce Posted November 13, 2021 Share Posted November 13, 2021 iands took us to 'Skeggy' a few days ago. I had a day trip hanging out of the 'Jolly Fisherman' on 8 Aug 1979. Here are a couple of my pictures of Skegness box taken that day. Great Northern of course. 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 14, 2021 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. Bullcroft Junction HB & GC Joint Rly of 1916. 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. 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 14, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 14, 2021 Thanks for the diagram Mick. Obviously the photo doesn't do justice as to how busy Bullcroft once was. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Ian, more a case of how busy Bullcroft and the Joint Line was proposed to be. The Great War delayed the line's opening, then the Grouping and later Depression endured it never saw its planned potential. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 Working our way back from Skeggy, the first box was Seacroft, apparently demoted to a crossing keeper's hut since 1964. Then a similar structure at Havenhouse, still with a summersault signal Both ex Great Northern and both now long gone but seen here on 8 Aug 1979 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 5 hours ago, Poor Old Bruce said: ... Havenhouse, still with a summersault signal ... ... on a concrete post. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 15, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 15, 2021 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 And two of Dunloe Street. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 For some reason I missed Wainfleet in 1979 but fortunately it was still there three weeks ago, 21 October 2021 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 16, 2021 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. 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. 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. 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 41 minutes ago, iands said: .... 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 .... ..... not unlike 'West Croydon B' back on page 31. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted November 16, 2021 Share Posted November 16, 2021 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. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 16, 2021 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Thorpe Culvert, GNR, 8 Aug 1979 The original box was replaced about 2003 with this one, seen on 21 October this year 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 17, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 17, 2021 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. Magdalen Road also dated August 1966. Shelford Junction dated August 1965. Although only the date is written on the back of the photo I think this is Wisbech Station, dated May 1968. 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 A couple from Buckinghamshire. Gerrards Cross. High Wycombe South. Princes Risborough in 1979 and 2006. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post iands Posted November 18, 2021 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted November 18, 2021 Today's rather eclectic mix. Spooner Row. A GE 'box from around 1855 I believe. A few photos of this 'box appear on this thread and other threads on this forum, but this one is slightly different and I post it for somewhat selfish reasons. During my railway career I held the post of Radio Support Engineer on ER for several years. This photo includes a nice shot of an NRN Transponder antenna mounted on the bracket signal support. Quite flat countryside around here and this proved to be the only viable location to mount the antenna. A bit of a jump back up to Yorkshire now, Mexborough West Junction to be precise. A South Yorkshire Railway 'box of 1850-ish vintage. Now to South Howden East, another HB&GC 'box of, I think, 1922. This photo is dated April 23rd 1955. I think at this time the 'box was closed (hence the position of the signal arm?), but the line remained open, the block section being worked by the 'boxes either side of Howden. @micknich2003 who has far more knowledge than me on the HB will correct me if I've got any of this detail wrong. And finally, York Locomotive Yard Signal Box. This is the 3rd incarnation, which opened on 6th June 1909. I post for no other reason than it was the largest mechanical lever frame installation of its kind in the world containing 295 levers in a frame of 300. There was a gap of 5 levers to provide access to the chargeman's balcony. Yes, Glasgow Central (Caledonian Railway) 'box had 374 levers, but that was a power frame, and Glasgow St Enoch (Glasgow & South Western Railway) had 488 levers, but that was electro-mechanical. I think that is all the photos of signal boxes I have, that are worth posting on here anyway, but if I do come across anymore hidden away I'll post them up without hesitation. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted November 18, 2021 Share Posted November 18, 2021 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. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium iands Posted November 18, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 18, 2021 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. Once again I'm indebted to you Mick, many thanks for the detail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 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! 13 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 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! 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. 1 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 Next along the line was East Ville, 8 Aug 1979 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 At least that box is right way. But the signal isn't - unless it's the effects of the camera lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted November 22, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 22, 2021 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickham Green too Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 ..... but I'm not sure about the top half of the box ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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