Pulling Semaphores after a train has passed

[Killingworth]

Just 4 more weeks before Grindleford box is replaced.
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[Wilts Wanderer]

I was lucky enough to visit Lostwithiel box a couple of years ago. Its a one-man operation but towards the upper limit of what can be safely achieved due to having not just the lever frame and level crossing to manage (on a road that is quite busy!) but also a small NX panel controlling the Bodmin and Largin area. With two trains per hour throughout the day - a third at certain times - plus freight to the Fowey branch etc which has to run round in between main line traffic, the signaller is certainly kept on their toes! Plus the length of some of the ‘pulls’ requires significant physical strength. Economy of movement and energy management indeed.

 

[Gloster]

I was lucky enough to visit Lostwithiel box a couple of years ago. Its a one-man operation but towards the upper limit of what can be safely achieved due to having not just the lever frame and level crossing to manage (on a road that is quite busy!) but also a small NX panel controlling the Bodmin and Largin area. With two trains per hour throughout the day - a third at certain times - plus freight to the Fowey branch etc which has to run round in between main line traffic, the signaller is certainly kept on their toes! Plus the length of some of the ‘pulls’ requires significant physical strength. Economy of movement and energy management indeed.

Pshaw! When I worked it, admittedly only a few times, you were almost constantly shunting china clay wagons backwards and forwards across the crossing, in and out of the sidings, and still had plenty of trains up and down the main. I do not remember it being particularly hard work.