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Signalling query.

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83G/84D

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How many Network Rail signal boxes are left that still operate primarily Absolute Block (with either colour light or semaphore signals or both) rather than Track circuit block?

St Erth in Cornwall is absolute block in both directions on the main lines with one train working with staff on St Ives line.

I’m thinking maybe the Cumbrian Coast line boxes might qualify?
 
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The Planner

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How many Network Rail signal boxes are left that still operate primarily Absolute Block (with either colour light or semaphore signals or both) rather than Track circuit block?

St Erth in Cornwall is absolute block in both directions on the main lines with one train working with staff on St Ives line.

I’m thinking maybe the Cumbrian Coast line boxes might qualify?
There will be loads. Leicester to Peterborough, Marches, Settle and Carlisle, Cumbrian Coast, even Stockport is technically AB between the boxes.
 

zwk500

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You could count them in the sectional appendix if you had a lot of spare time. I doubt anybody has the exact number in a single place.

I'm not sure how you would count something like Hereford where it controls the section from Shelwick Junction to Hereford station as TCB but works AB either side to Moreton-on-Lugg and Tram Inn.
 

matchmaker

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Still some in Scotland. Stirling Middle to Hilton Junction is a mix of AB and TCB. North of the Forth through Fife as far as Stonehaven is a similar mix. Longest is I think Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie at about 23 miles with two IB sections in each direction.
 

WirralLine

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The following are AB, some have track circuit detection at signals however so the box can see where trains are on their simple panel. Any marked with * use some/most semaphore signals.

Mickle Trafford, Helsby*, Frodsham Jct on the Chester - Warrington line. I believe the line from Mickle Trafford to Stockport is also AB for most if not all. Cant remember.

Ellesmere Port* from Helsby.

North Wales Coast -Llandudno Junction, Deganwy*, Llandudno* - or toward Holyhead you've got Penmaenmawr, Bangor, Gaerwyn*, Ty Croes*, Valley*, Holyhead*.

Llandudno Jn to Blaenau Ffestiniog is single line working with a physical token. If i remember rightly the token is swapped over at Llanrwst?

Chester to Shrewsbury line. Croes Newydd (Wrexham), Gobowen*, Shrewsbury Crewe Junction*, Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Junction* (SBJ also being the largest mechanical signal box still in operation in the world I believe?). Continuing down the Marches to Cardiff is all absolute block i think but I cant remember them all.

Bidston-Wrexham line- Dee Marsh Junction, Penyffordd*, Wrexham Croes Newydd.

Chester to Crewe is absolute block, Beeston Castle&Tarporley* at the half way point.

There is a mix of TCB on some of the above.
 

SomeTrainboy

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I think Goxhill - Oxmarsh Crossing is still AB,
maybe Immingham Reception Sidings - West Jct is too,
Immingham East Jct - Pyewipe Rd is ETB.
 

Port Road

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Still some in Scotland. Stirling Middle to Hilton Junction is a mix of AB and TCB. North of the Forth through Fife as far as Stonehaven is a similar mix. Longest is I think Blair Atholl to Dalwhinnie at about 23 miles with two IB sections in each direction.
Also the G&SW; Holywood, Thornhill, Kirkconnel, New Cumnock all AB both ways - not sure about Mauchline Junction. Carlisle-Newcastle line still has some AB as well I think (Brampton etc). Girvan-Stranraer likewise although that's all single line with passing places and tokens.
 

Rail Ranger

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Re Mickle Trafford to Stockport, it is only Absolute Block between Plumley West and Mobberley and from Northenden Junction to Edgeley Junction No.1 and then to Edgeley Junction No.2, Stockport No.1, Stockport No. 2 and Heaton Norris Junction. Then TCB to Piccadilly.
 
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MadMac

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Also the G&SW; Holywood, Thornhill, Kirkconnel, New Cumnock all AB both ways - not sure about Mauchline Junction. Carlisle-Newcastle line still has some AB as well I think (Brampton etc). Girvan-Stranraer likewise although that's all single line with passing places and tokens.
Mauchline works AB to, technically, Hurlford but in reality, Kilmarnock as Hurlford is permanently switched out.
 
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