Colchester Junction Signal Box

[PaulG]

Although I have a reasonable size collection of photographs and drawings of Colchester, for my 4mm/00 gauge layout,  I have not been able to find either a signal box diagram c1950 or a rear view of the signal box, and wonder if anyone can help, please?

 

As can be seen from the photos, there was "footbridge" from the adjacent road to the box and a toilet fixed to the back of the box, but without a suitable photo it's proving a little difficult to model in detail!

 

The "Cold War " has made life a little easier in building the box, as the locker room windows were infilled as can be seen in one of the photos.

 

The operating floor windows were made by York Model Making,  as they are of a completely different design to other GE box windows and those typically available in model form

 

Thank you.

 

Paul 

 

[Jeremy Cumberland]

That looks very nice.

 

There is a 1958 signalling notice on Signalling Record Society website which includes Colchester Junction and may be of use to you. I found it via a Google search, and I am not sure what SRS webpage it is linked from.

 

The SRS home page is here: https://www.s-r-s.org.uk

 

Here is a link to the pdf: https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/pullfree.asp?FilePath=ArchiveSignals\Downloads\brer&FileName=1958-3395.pdf\brer%26FileName%3D1958-3395.pdf

[PaulG]

25 minutes ago, Jeremy C said:

That looks very nice.

 

There is a 1958 signalling notice on Signalling Record Society website which includes Colchester Junction and may be of use to you. I found it via a Google search, and I am not sure what SRS webpage it is linked from.

 

The SRS home page is here: https://www.s-r-s.org.uk

 

Here is a link to the pdf: https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/pullfree.asp?FilePath=ArchiveSignals\Downloads\brer&FileName=1958-3395.pdf\brer%26FileName%3D1958-3395.pdf

 Thank you Jeremy for taking the time to provide the diagrams, which are very interesting.

 

Although my period of railway interest is 1948-1959, there were numerous changes in that short 10 year period. Not least the signalling, loco shed lighting, loco mess carriages and ohl, all very obvious on a model railway. So I've detailed the "scenery" as c1955.

 

The signalling diagram shows the alterations for the electrification of the Clacton branch, which was a trial site. "Unfortunately" , in terms of railway interest, it resulted in the GE down platform starter being replaced by a LNE?BR semaphore and the up junction semaphore signals being replaced with colour lights.

 

The attached photos of J17 65511 shows the colour lights as per diagram for the junction and the photo of the N7 shows the signals I've built. At this stage the track layout wasn't altered at the Ipswich end.

 

Again, thank you for your help.

[Bomag]

19 hours ago, PaulG said:

 Thank you Jeremy for taking the time to provide the diagrams, which are very interesting.

 

n and the photo of the N7 shows the signals I've built. At this stage the track layout wasn't altered at the Ipswich end.

 

Again, thank you for your help.

 

 

 

The number looks to be either 69621 or 69631 - when zoomed in its not clear. Is it discernible on the original photo?

 

[PaulG]

4 hours ago, Bomag said:

 

The number looks to be either 69621 or 69631 - when zoomed in its not clear. Is it discernible on the original photo?

 

 

The photograph is of now preserved 69621 and was taken by K C Footer, August Bank Holiday 1949.

 

The photograph appears in one of John Mann's East Anglian Steam booklets.

 

I've tried to replicate the scene, with chap crossing with his bike, but a little artistic licence with the crossing gates! I've built one of the two carriages and the wagon in the background, which formed part of the Colchester breakdown train.

 

Paul

[Bomag]

18 hours ago, PaulG said:

 

The photograph is of now preserved 69621 and was taken by K C Footer, August Bank Holiday 1949.

 

The photograph appears in one of John Mann's East Anglian Steam booklets..

 

Paul

 

 

Thanks for the info on its origin. I was specifically interested in if for 69621.

[PaulG]

Colchester Junction signal box is just about finished, a few small details to complete on the inertia, but next job is 12 ground discs, point rodding and signal wires.

 

 

 

 

With the roof lifted at one end, signalman can just be seen and the 67 levers. The box had two diagrams suspended from the ceiling timbers, one each end of frame which can just be seen - all just a bit of fun over the winter months!! 

 

 

Paul