Working semaphores

[michaelasc]

My last question about sheds still standing generated a good bit of interest so I thought I would ask where the best set of working semaphores on the main line, not heritage, are located.

And while I am on the subject of signals, where are the best, original signal boxes that are still doing the job they were designed for?

Pictures would be terrific.

Michael

[luckymucklebackit]

There are not a lot left at all, Barnetby was the last stronghold of semaphores I think and it was resignalled recently, as was the last large Scottish station controlled by semaphore - Stirling.

The Glasgow to Stranraer line is all semaphore south of Ayr and there are some nice locations down that line, I did a quick survey of the station last year plus some photographs at nearby Dunragit https://www.flickr.com/photos/gateside_ ... 7771606408

Try http://forum.signalbox.org/ for info and photographs, they have the whole topic covered on that forum.

Jim

[b308]

There's more than you think, Jim, offhand I'd point the OP to Shrewsbury and even Banbury currently has semaphores and two boxes working it as in BR days, though it is getting remodelled at the mo'!

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid ... signal+box

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=banbu ... BygC&dpr=1

For anyone who wants to see semaphore signalling combined with others and some real gems I'd suggest the Train Driver's night-time nightmare... Worcester Shrub Hill Station (and it's near neighbour, Foregate Street station)...

SH has colour lights, upper and lower quadrants, shunting disks, the lot... All worked by Tunnel Junction 'Box!

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid ... %20signals

[Ex-Pat]

... All worked by Tunnel Junction 'Box!

Good job I read it twice - for a split second I saw the word "Severn" there as well!

[b308]

There'd be some long signal wire runs to do that! They've renaimed the box but you can still make out the word "tunnel" on the nameboard, though it relates to the tunnel under a hill, not the Severn!

http://www.roscalen.com/signals/Worcester/ShrubHill.htm

[michaelasc]

Thanks guys, very useful information.

For me, the power of the semaphore is that you can see from both directions whether the signal is on or off thus giving the signaler and other drivers a visual that a signal is on or off.

For example, in the video made available by b308 the HST driver can see that the inner home signal is at danger and be very confident the sprinter is not going to move onto his line.

[b308]

Shrub Hill is very different at night, I can assure you! Whilst the lamps on the semaphores are not longer lit by oil they are still very dim and not very clear. It's lucky the speed limit through the station towards Droitwich is so slow... I don't know how much longer the existing signalling will last in this modern world, so I'd recommend a trip there as soon as you can so you don't miss it!

[stuartp]

Hellifield - Carlisle is still largely semaphore.

[Bufferstop]

You'd better be quick. There's a major programme of replacement to remove all semaphores and the associated boxes, everything is going to be controlled from signalling centres. Last month it was much of the lines to the east of the ECML signals disappearing fast boxes being demolished or used as relay rooms.

[markh]

cumbrian coast line has some semaphores,

workington theres two boxes, one at each end of the station and some semaphores at the north end still working them

whitehaven has some sempahores at the north as well controlled by a box

not sure about firther south of the line will look tomorrow when i go back up the line for semaphores


Mark