Hampden Park (Eastbourne) signal query (historical)

[Islineclear3_1]

I've just ordered a CD from SRS but have the following queries whilst I'm waiting relating to the 1970s/1980s period

I know CDB18 protected Willingdon Junction from the Polegate direction. What was it's counterpart from the Stone Cross/Pevensey direction and when was it replaced by a colour light? Does anyone know why this became a colour light, rather than CDB18 which I would have thought, would have been the more important signal?

Was the layout at Willingdon always controlled from Hampden Park, or was there a signal box at one time? If so, when did it close and signalling transferred to Hampden Park?

Thank you for anyone who can help

 

[yorksrob]

I've just ordered a CD from SRS but have the following queries whilst I'm waiting relating to the 1970s/1980s period

I know CDB18 protected Willingdon Junction from the Polegate direction. What was it's counterpart from the Stone Cross/Pevensey direction and when was it replaced by a colour light? Does anyone know why this became a colour light, rather than CDB18 which I would have thought, would have been the more important signal?

Was the layout at Willingdon always controlled from Hampden Park, or was there a signal box at one time? If so, when did it close and signalling transferred to Hampden Park?

Thank you for anyone who can help

I'm sure I read in V Mitchell & K Smith's book on the Eastbourne to Hastings route that Wiliingdon Junction had its own signal box until the 1930's.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I'm sure I read in V Mitchell & K Smith's book on the Eastbourne to Hastings route that Wiliingdon Junction had its own signal box until the 1930's.

Actually, you're right; I've just pulled out my Brighton to Eastbourne book So that answers my 2nd question....

 

[Gloster]

Actually, you're right; I've just pulled out my Brighton to Eastbourne book So that answers my 2nd question....

Willingdon Junction SB closed 15-06-1930. (Source: SRS Signal Box Register, 2009.)

A look at a couple of photos suggests that the Home from Bexhill was 20, but I can’t be definite.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

A look at a couple of photos suggests that the Home from Bexhill was 20, but I can’t be definite.

That would make sense. I'll just have to wait for my CD... however, it won't tell me when it changed over to colour light and why this was done and not CDB18...

 

[yorksrob]

Actually, you're right; I've just pulled out my Brighton to Eastbourne book So that answers my 2nd question....

Ah, I got the wrong book

 

[ex-probationer]

That would make sense. I'll just have to wait for my CD... however, it won't tell me when it changed over to colour light and why this was done and not CDB18...

I can confirm the 3-asp signal was CDB 20, sorry the photo is poor quality, it was taken by myself on duty in 2005.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

View attachment 104771
I can confirm the 3-asp signal was CDB 20, sorry the photo is poor quality, it was taken by myself on duty in 2005.

Oh wow, thank you

Can you tell me why it replaced the semaphore?

 

[30907]

Can you tell me why it replaced the semaphore?

Sorry, can't help, but:
1) 18 and 20 signals were operationally equally significant (OK, slightly more trains from Polegate than from Pevensey);
2) signals (at existing boxes) were replaced on condition rather than in bulk. A 3-aspect was required by the then-current rules.

 

[ex-probationer]

Oh wow, thank you

Can you tell me why it replaced the semaphore?

Not for certain, the signals CDB20 and CDB20R were old and of an unusual circuit design that I had never seen before nor since. The lamps in both signals were fed from 110v/12v AC with the 110v AC being switched from Hampden Park signal-box, rather than the standard style where the lamps are locally switched by relays in a nearby location case.

I'm not sure what age the signals would have been, but at a guess well before the 1960's based on the circuit design.

CBD20 was placed some distance round the curve approaching Willingdon Junction and was presumably at Braking Distance from CDB16 that protected Hampden Park Crossing. I guess neither CDB20 nor CDB20R could have been mechanically worked due to the distances involved.

22:46 - Minor changes to improve clarity

 

[Gloster]

The low resolution diagram on the Signalling Record Society site appears to show 20 as a colour light while the goods yard sidings were still in use. 18 was still a semaphore.