Signal T2865 questions

[Charlei]

Hi,

Im new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could help with some questions I have for a university project. I am looking into the failure of signal post T2865 and would like to find out the dimensions of the base plate and gussets. I would also like to find out how many cable entry holes there are in the signal post, the diameter of these holes and how high above ground level the cable entry holes are.
If anyone could provide some insight into these questions I would be most grateful.
I have already read the RAIB's report on the incident.

Kind regards
Charlie Carter

 

[Annetts key]

There isn't a single design of signal post. The different regions of British Rail each had their own ideas. And these designs often changed over the years. Including bespoke designs. Indeed, some signal structures are more than 50 years old.

Some signal posts have cable entry/exit holes on both front and back because some had dis.boxes for cable terminations on one side and the SPT (signal post telephone) on the other side.

Some have cable entry holes near the base, plus near the top (at the side). I've seen birds nesting in the cable holes near the top for example.

A lot of the 1960s to 1980s signal posts on Western are either mounted directly in a concrete base, so don't have a bottom baseplate, or in a metal base.

A base like in this examples:


Here's a different design:


The photos show a mixture of as installed original signal heads on original posts and retained signal posts from a 1970s scheme that have been reused for new signal heads and used for a more modern signalling scheme.

 

[Charlei]

Thank you for the detailed reply. I know the post I’m look at has a base plate as there is an image of the corroded plate on the RAIB report.

I think I’m going to have trouble finding the information I’m looking for unless I can get a response to my information request from the RAIB. And I can probably estimate. But as the post I’m investigating corroded from sitting water on the inside of the post I’m hoping to be as accurate as possible when designing an FEA model with the ability to drain as any stress raisers or changes in second moment of area will effect the model.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post

 

[John Webb]

Out of curiosity, which incident are we referring to in this query, please? Just that I can't recall a RAIB report dealing with corrosion in a signal post

 

[swt_passenger]

Out of curiosity, which incident are we referring to in this query, please? Just that I can't recall a RAIB report dealing with corrosion in a signal post

Newbury 2015, an HST hit a fallen signal.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/56011734ed915d14f3000020/R152015_150923_Newbury.pdf

 

[John Webb]

Newbury 2015, an HST hit a fallen signal.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/56011734ed915d14f3000020/R152015_150923_Newbury.pdf

Thanks!

 

[Annetts key]

There are various BR mechanical drawings, some of which do provide details of signalling equipment. However, finding the correct diagram would take a lot of time. It's one of those things where if you already know the document number, it shouldn't be difficult to narrow it down. But if you don't know...

I have never needed to go looking for a diagram for a signal post, and currently will not be in a position to do so anytime soon. Sorry.

One other point, under BR WR the signal structure itself was the responsibility of the structures department, not the Signalling & Telecommunications (S&T) department.

Maybe The Signalling Record Society (https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/) can help.

 

[Charlei]

There are various BR mechanical drawings, some of which do provide details of signalling equipment. However, finding the correct diagram would take a lot of time. It's one of those things where if you already know the document number, it shouldn't be difficult to narrow it down. But if you don't know...

I have never needed to go looking for a diagram for a signal post, and currently will not be in a position to do so anytime soon. Sorry.

One other point, under BR WR the signal structure itself was the responsibility of the structures department, not the Signalling & Telecommunications (S&T) department.

Maybe The Signalling Record Society (https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/) can help.

Thank you, this is really helpful.