Signal Boxes with "Wing Mirrors" ?.

[Ceptic]

Last Sunday, I embarked on a mission down Dorset way, to photograph one of the last remaining L&SWR Type 3 Signal Boxes, once controlling a level crossing in the county...(Due for demolition,...very shortly).

 

What caught my eye, was the (self-explanatory) exterior mirror, positioned to check on approaching road traffic from the Box's blind spot,....I.e...Pre-CCTV  Eyes on yer six,.. so to speak.

 

 

What's prompted my question here, is this. I've recently bought a photo of the Bournemouth West station's Signal Box from the Bluebell Railway's Photographic Archive.http://photos.bluebell-railway-museum.co.uk/ 

It appears to show an exterior mirror mounted at the 'country end' LH rear corner of box (Far RH end of photo), 

What would be the purpose of this ?.

Thumbnail preview here, http://www.bluebell-railway-museum.co.uk/archive/photos/jjs/b09/9-96-12.ht

 

My thoughts......Possibly?, providing a view back at the station's traffic / platforms / roads / signal lamp back-lights ?. ....Remembering  that the box had windows at the 'station' end, also.

 

Harking back to topic. Were / are there any other examples of signal boxes fitted with exterior mirrors and for what purpose ?

 

Cheers.