Remaining semaphore signal boxes

[mike57]

There are still semaphores protecting Kirkham Abbey crossing gates between York and Malton

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Does NR have a specific target to get rid of semaphores and mechanical interlockings?

I remember The Signal Box website (Section C) was a good resource for potential dates but as many schemes have slipped back over the years, it hasn't been updated to my knowledge

 

[Belperpete]

Shunt discs aren't classed as semaphores, semaphores are the arms.

There isn't a simple dividing line. What about miniature arm signals? And what about miniature arm signals that have had a disc bolted onto them, to make them look the same as disc signals? There is a miniature arm shunt signal in original form (without the bolted-on disc) at Llangollen. And at Shrewsbury there are some miniature-arm mechanisms with main arms bolted onto them, to make centre-pivot main arms! And the GWR also had big discs, used as main arms, to help sighting e.g. under canopies.

At one time there was a mechanical colour-light at Wimbledon - did that still count as a semaphore? It was a standard semaphore signal but without the arm fitted, as it was in permanent darkness under a large overbridge.

Are there still semaphore signals used as landslip protection warnings? I seem to recall there being some in Scotland. I assume that they would be within the control area of a signalbox, even though not actually controlled from it.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

From what traincrew on the Snowhill lines are aware the last box's planned to go are Shrewsbury and Worcester area and are sto be resignalled early 2040's.

I doubt Llandudno or Anglesey will be done by then either.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

At one time there was a mechanical colour-light at Wimbledon - did that still count as a semaphore? It was a standard semaphore signal but without the arm fitted, as it was in permanent darkness under a large overbridge.

Interesting one that as Bexhill's former Down Starting was in permanent darkness under a large overbridge but it had a semaphore arm...

 

[The Planner]

From what traincrew on the Snowhill lines are aware the last box's planned to go are Shrewsbury and Worcester area and are sto be resignalled early 2040's.

Worcester is meant to be way before then.

I remember The Signal Box website (Section C) was a good resource for potential dates but as many schemes have slipped back over the years, it hasn't been updated to my knowledge

Id ignore that, its so out of date.

 

[Gloster]

There are no semaphore signals remaining in Northern Ireland....other than at museums and heritage lines. IIRC, the two remaining pockets of semaphores in the Republic are on the Ballybrophy-Limerick line (at Roscrea and Nenagh?) and on the Limerick-Waterford line (at Tipperary and Clonmel). However, I'm open to correction as my last visit was in September 2022.

I think that there are still manual boxes at Navan and Waterford. The former may still have semaphores, but I am doubtful about the latter.

From what traincrew on the Snowhill lines are aware the last box's planned to go are Shrewsbury and Worcester area and are sto be resignalled early 2040's.

I believe that at one time the plan was that the last box to go would be Bognor in 2052. How many plans ago that I was I do not know. One of the biggest problems nowadays, or at least a couple of years ago, is apparently obtaining signal wire.

 

[Western 52]

Is the impressive gantry signalbox still at Waterford? I remember seeing it about 25 years ago, freshly painted in green. It looked amazing.

 

[craigybagel]

There are no semaphore signals remaining in Northern Ireland....other than at museums and heritage lines. IIRC, the two remaining pockets of semaphores in the Republic are on the Ballybrophy-Limerick line (at Roscrea and Nenagh?) and on the Limerick-Waterford line (at Tipperary and Clonmel). However, I'm open to correction as my last visit was in September 2022.

No signals at Nenagh, it's not been a passing loop for years (there's a special arrangement in place for the morning service that splits there). Semaphore signals at the remaining loops on that line at Birdhill and Roscrea.

As mentioned, on the Limerick - Waterford line they're to be found at Tipperary and Clonmel, and also at Carrick - on Suir (it remains a block post, despite the crossing loop being removed)

I think that there are still manual boxes at Navan and Waterford. The former may still have semaphores, but I am doubtful about the latter.

Is the impressive gantry signalbox still at Waterford? I remember seeing it about 25 years ago, freshly painted in green. It looked amazing.

Navan still has semaphores. I'm open to correction, but as far as I'm aware Waterford is now worked from Waterford West box as a single line terminating at the one remaining open platform. Access to the rest of the station and the line to Bellview port (and its mothballed continuation to Rosslare) is via the yard. Waterford West I think still has semaphores. A new station is being built further to the East along the Rosslare line, presumably that will require a proper resignalling of the area.

 

[RailwayRookie]

I'd argue that a shunt disc is a part of semaphore signalling, especially if still cable pulled from a lever frame.
A ground position light would be its colour light equivalent.

And I can't remember who posted the list, but ad far as I recall, Kings Lynn only had one Semaphore signal left, controlling the entry to Middleton Towers

 

[Hornet]

Is the impressive gantry signalbox still at Waterford? I remember seeing it about 25 years ago, freshly painted in green. It looked amazing.

April 2019.

 

[Western 52]

April 2019.

Good to see the box is still there. A lot of rationalisation though! Here's what it was like in 1997.

 

[matchmaker]

There isn't a simple dividing line. What about miniature arm signals? And what about miniature arm signals that have had a disc bolted onto them, to make them look the same as disc signals? There is a miniature arm shunt signal in original form (without the bolted-on disc) at Llangollen. And at Shrewsbury there are some miniature-arm mechanisms with main arms bolted onto them, to make centre-pivot main arms! And the GWR also had big discs, used as main arms, to help sighting e.g. under canopies.

At one time there was a mechanical colour-light at Wimbledon - did that still count as a semaphore? It was a standard semaphore signal but without the arm fitted, as it was in permanent darkness under a large overbridge.

Are there still semaphore signals used as landslip protection warnings? I seem to recall there being some in Scotland. I assume that they would be within the control area of a signalbox, even though not actually controlled from it.

The stone signals - "Anderson's Piano" - are still in operation in the Pass of Brander on the Oban line. Anderson's Piano They have never been operated by a signal box, although there was once a signal box and loop inside the boulder screen - "Awe Crossing". There may have been some slotting arrangement here. Awe Crossing

Before the introduction of RETB, and after Awe Crossing closed, the stone signals were indicated in Dalmally and Taynuilt signal boxes.

Links provided to two excellent websites - Railsigns and Oban-line-info. Highly recommended.

 

[High Dyke]

Swinderby still survives between Newark and Lincoln, the box was due for replacement along with its semaphores but it's been delayed for a few more years...

Aye. Don't remind me...

 

[Islineclear3_1]

One of the biggest problems nowadays, or at least a couple of years ago, is apparently obtaining signal wire.

I never knew that! I know Bognor was renewed recently and I swear I saw new signal wire...

Not doubting you of course but I'd thought this was fairly easy to get hold of ... clearly not

 

[Gloster]

I never knew that! I know Bognor was renewed recently and I swear I saw new signal wire...

Not doubting you of course but I'd thought this was fairly easy to get hold of ... clearly not

That was a couple of years ago, so maybe they have solved the problem. I am fairly sure that I read somewhere that it was having to come from China.

 

[Rescars]

Portrush September 2018. Station was being rebuilt for the Open Golf Championship.

What splendid somersault signals! Are/were these the last survivors?

 

[D6130]

What splendid somersault signals! Are/were these the last survivors?

Yes. Castlerock also used to have a full set of somersault semaphores until a few years ago when the new - remotely-controlled and colour light-signalled - loop at Bellarena was opened. That split the very long Portrush-Derry/Londonderry section more evenly.

 

[Hornet]

This thread made me look back at my small collection of British and Irish Signal boxes that i've photographed since the 70's. Lists as attached. Also one of my favourites (long since gone), New Holland Town, taken in 1979.

 

[The exile]

Portrush September 2018. Station was being rebuilt for the Open Golf Championship.

Fairly certain that they are / it is no longer in use (2021).

 

[Hornet]

Fairly certain that they are / it is no longer in use (2021).

They were not in use in 2018. The branch was single line in effect. Don't know what arrangements were in place when the new platform was opened for the Open Golf Championship. It is likely that the new platform is used now only for any steam specials and the annual NW200 Road Races in May.

 

[Sunil_P]

Rainford, seen yesterday.

 

[RailwayRookie]

Rainford, seen yesterday.

I can't help but feel that the diamond plate for that signal is slightly redundant.

 

[Lucy1501]

I can't help but feel that the diamond plate for that signal is slightly redundant.

There is a signalpost telephone on Rufford signal 12. It's right outside the signal box. And the signaller is required to do a token exchange with the driver.

 

[Gloster]

It is a simple principle that has applied for years: if the Rule Book says that something, such as a diamond plate, should be applied, then it is. This avoids confusion and a possible situation where someone says, “We won’t bother with a plate here because the situation is obvious.” Then along comes someone to whom it is not obvious or changes are made and nobody realises that the situation is no longer obvious. That’s how accidents happen.

 

[D7666]

One could argue there are a number of LU 'signal boxes' (= cabins or control rooms) still with semaphore.

LU uses a lot of ground disc shunting signals. Any disc is a semaphore; does not matter how it is operated, manual or power.

Main line - I can't think of any right now - but I suggest /somewhere/ on NR there must surely be a box with only colour light running signals but with disc shunting signals ????

 

[Western 52]

Hereford is an example with colour light main signals plus wire worked shunting discs.

Picture shows disc signals at the south end of Hereford Station.

 

[D7666]

Hereford is an example with colour light main signals plus wire worked shunting discs.

Picture shows disc signals at the south end of Hereford Station.

ta

I was sure there had to be some somewhere I just not think of any.

 

[Belperpete]

Main line - I can't think of any right now - but I suggest /somewhere/ on NR there must surely be a box with only colour light running signals but with disc shunting signals ????

Bangor?

 

[Ken H]

Bangor?

Wasnt this done for west coast electrification with many smaller mechanical boxes retained. Stafford, Stockport, Litchfield TV maybe.