Signal Box Visits

[sem34090]

Hi all,

A first post, and a bit of an obscure and weird one! I may have been seen by some of you on other forums, but figured this query may be more at home here.

Is it possible, in any way, to visit Network Rail signalboxes? This would be in connection to a research project that I may soon be undertaking. I know that there must be a way somehow of arranging it as a group (I've visited Arundel 'box and Three Bridges ROC in this way), but is there any way of arranging it on an individual basis? If it makes any difference (I doubt it does) then the boxes I would be most interested in visiting would be:

Littlehampton
Bognor Regis
Hastings
Haslemere
Petersfield
Barnham ('New' centre)
Any other Mechanical boxes in the South really!
​

As I say, an obscure first posting and I highly doubt that such visits can be arranged on an individual (or very small group) basis but I figured it was worth asking how I could at least try to go about arranging them.

Basically this is a long and waffling way of asking "Who do I need to contact to ask about signal box visits?" !

sem34090

 

[2HAP]

You could try e-mailing Network Rail directly. explaining why you are requesting such visits. Would heritage railways fit the bill?

 

[sem34090]

That seems obvious enough! Why, oh why, did I not think of that...

Thanks!

One question though - which bit of NR do I email to?

Heritage railways will fit part of the bill, but for the purposes of the project some experience of how traditional boxes fit on the modern railway (or don't? Do they need replacing or not?) would be very helpful, along with some experience of more modern signalling installations.

 

[Muzer]

I've *very occasionally* had Network Rail signallers (no, I'm not going to share where on a public forum!) just invite me into their boxes having seen me hanging around the area taking photos etc., but bearing in mind how many boxes I've visited externally in this manner it really isn't that many who have done this, so don't count on it!

On heritage railways, on the other hand, you can usually just ask, and assuming it isn't a particularly busy day they'll probably let you in.

 

[sem34090]

Hmm - I'd rather try and arrange something officially if I can.

And heritage railways -one in particular- are less of a problem for me on account of my volunteering on one!

 

[DelW]

Have you visited St Albans South, as regularly mentioned by John Webb on these forums?
http://www.tlr.ltd.uk/sigbox
NEXT OPENINGS:
Sundays 2-5pm
September 23rd

October 14th

October 28th

November 12th

December 9th

 

[Highlandspring]

Use the online contact form on the Network Rail website, they will forward your enquiry to the right people. Be aware though that it's unlikely individual visits would be considered (professional groups are a bit different) especially as TRANSEC are really clamping down on who has access to critical infrastructure on the railway.

 

[ArchieWoodbine]

Unfortunately this is probably becoming harder to do - signallers are under increased scrutiny and preassure so even if one did want to let someone have a gander of the box, they probably wouldn't take the risk.

As mentioned, your best bet would be to contact Network Rail generically stating your request & reasons. If you're lucky, this'll get forwarded to a local operations manager, who controls a number of boxes in an area. From there, it entirely depends on whether that individual is amenable to it. I wouldn't get one's hopes up I'm afraid!

Do you mind if I ask what sort of information/research you're interested in? It might be that there are other avenues available to getting it.

 

[John Webb]

Have you visited St Albans South, as regularly mentioned by John Webb on these forums?
http://www.tlr.ltd.uk/sigbox
NEXT OPENINGS:
Sundays 2-5pm
September 23rd

October 14th

October 28th

November 12th

December 9th

Thanks for the mention - 2019 dates are being put together at the moment.

 

[DPWH]

It does depend on what you mean by "research". If you've got academic credentials, a detailed research proposal and a professor and university who can vouch for you, that's only going to strengthen your case. If you want to do research for your OO gauge loft layout, that might not go down so well.

 

[ArchieWoodbine]

If you want to do research for your OO gauge loft layout, that might not go down so well.

What's more, I doubt there are many signal box diagrams or layouts that haven't been saved and made available somewhere in one format or another.

 

[John Webb]

What's more, I doubt there are many signal box diagrams or layouts that haven't been saved and made available somewhere in one format or another.

Try https://signalbox.org/diagrams.php - both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis in 2000 and 1999 respectively are available in the list the OP has in post #1.

 

[sem34090]

Firstly, I have visited St Alban's South and must say what a fantastic museum it is!

Secondly, the research project is an academic research project, provisionally titled "The Development of (British) Railway Signalling" so will be including details of that development, and will also be looking at how signalling is changing, and how mechanical technology is still able to cope, etc, etc.

There's definitely an element of my mind which, as an enthusiast, wants to visit the boxes for their own sakes, but I'm also looking to ask questions and almost make a record of some of the traditional 'boxes still in operation. I also mention modern panels/ROC's because they also have their place in the project. Some of what I see and record will doubtless be useful for railway modelling purposes, but that isn't the main aim of the project.

The general specification for the project is as follows and hopefully answers a few questions:

The Extended Project will develop and extend from one or more of the student’s study areas and/or from an area of personal interest or activity outside their main programme of study. It will be based on a topic chosen by the student(s) and agreed as appropriate by the centre.

Delivery of the Extended Project Qualification in centres will involve some teaching of the necessary skills, supervision and assessment of the student’s progress. It will involve extended autonomous work by the student. It will require in total 120 guided learning hours.

Students are required, with appropriate supervision, to:

• choose an area of interest
• draft a title and aims of the project for formal approval by the centre
• plan, research and carry out the project
• deliver a presentation to a non specialist audience
• provide evidence of all stages of project development and production for assessment.

Our EPQ allows each student to embark on a largely self-directed and self-motivated project. Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea and decide on their finished product.

We encourage creativity and curiosity. A project topic may be directly related to a student's main study programme, but should look beyond the specification. A finished product may take the form of a:

• research based written report
• production* (eg charity event, fashion show or sports event etc)
• an artefact* (eg piece of art, a computer game or realised design).

*A written report must accompany these options.

Students must also record their project process in their Production Log. The process of recording and completing a project is as important as the finished product. Both the Production Log and Product will be assessed.

What your students need to do

• Choose an area of interest and draft their project title and aims.
• Plan, research and carry out their project.
• Keep a production log of all stages of the project production, reviewing and evaluating their progress.
• Complete the project product.
• Prepare and deliver a presentation.
• Review the outcome of their project and presentation.

 

[LowLevel]

Have you considered joining the Signalling Record Society?

https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/home.php

I've hosted their visits before and they're certainly a very committed bunch.

Apparently they have visits to Hastings, Bo Peep Junction and Robertsbridge on the 3rd November.

My own visits to boxes have either been on duty or somewhat informal (rather a while ago generally). In some areas the signaller might welcome a bit of company/interest, others perhaps not.

 

[sem34090]

I am certainly considering it - I see they have a Hastings visit planned in November, but unfortunately I already have another commitment that weekend. I think it'll be worth joining for the project regardless, and could be helpful for arranging individual visits as group visits may not be at times or places that I can get to.

 

[nickswift99]

I'd encourage you to use the resources of the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers and their excellent library which is hosted by the IET in Savoy Place

 

[sem34090]

I'd encourage you to use the resources of the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers and their excellent library which is hosted by the IET in Savoy Place

That sounds interesting, and certainly worth looking into more - thanks!
I may, if/when the title of the thread is answered, as it were, rename this and make it about the research project in general.

 

[sem34090]

If it's any help, and broadening to Heritage Railways, I intend to visit the following in the course of the project. Bearing in mind the aims and intentions, any other suggestions are gratefully accepted:

- All Mid Hants Railway 'boxes* ** (should be able to be covered with relative ease - I am a volunteer on said railway).
- Bognor Regis/Littlehampton/Hastings/Miscellaneous others (Mechanical 'boxes in the modern South East)
- Barnham Signalling Centre (A modern centre controlling an area of only one mechanical 'box)
- Chichester (A Mechanical 'box converted to a panel)
- Haslemere/Petersfield (Mechanical 'boxes, with frames, controlling modern equipment)
- Frome Mineral Junction/Radstock North** (Mechanical Boxes showcasing a variety of heritage GWR equipment going as far back as disk & crossbar)
- St Alban's South*/Romsey** (Mechanical boxes as museums)
- Dorking (SR Westinghouse Miniature frame - Early power-signalling installation)
- Somerleyton/Reedham Swing Bridge ('boxes with non-railway function)
- Severn Tunnel Junction, Shrewsbury (Largest 'box still in operation)
- Three Bridges ROC (The future!)
- An LT 1930s installation! (If that isn't possible anymore then Acton will have to do!)
- An IECC.
​

*Heritage site.
**Relocated.

As can be seen, the list is admittedly biased in favour of mechanical 'boxes, so I would gratefully accept some more modern suggestions! Some of the above will also require a fair bit of travelling! I'm also interested in 'pockets' of mechanical signalling, where there are still multiple mechanical 'boxes communicating with one another.

I am still highly doubtful that I'll get to visit any NR 'boxes, but I figured that posting a list with reasoning would at least be a better start. Some 'boxes may be easier to gain visits to than others.

 

[krus_aragon]

- Severn Tunnel Junction, Shrewsbury (Largest 'box still in operation)​

They'd have to be pretty big levers to control Severn Tunnel Junction from Shrewsbury: the name you want is Severn Bridge Junction.

 

[DarloRich]

Contact the nr press office with a letter of support from your university outlining the purpose of your thesis and ask them if visits are possible.

It will take some doing but a bona fida academic should have more luck than a random.

 

[alastair]

The Branch Line Society https://www.branchline.uk/home.php regularly arrange signal box visits in small groups. You have to be a member.

 

[sem34090]

Contact the nr press office with a letter of support from your university outlining the purpose of your thesis and ask them if visits are possible.

It will take some doing but a bona fida academic should have more luck than a random.

I'm not yet at University I'm afraid! But I have dropped them an email explaining my aims, purposes and leaving details of the college.

 

[sem34090]

Well, an email was sent to Network Rail, and appears to have been forwarded to the appropriate people.