Unexpected Visitors To Signal Boxes

[MP33]

I have visited the signalling centre at Cambridge as part of a day out to Cambridge organised by Railtrack.

In one of the coarse series books. The art of coarse sailing, which describes a holiday on the Norfolk Broads full of disasters. Their sailing boat is stopped by a closed Railway swing bridge. After a long wait the skipper of the boat goes up to the signal cabin. The signalman tells him, you can't come in here, if you want to catch the train go down the station like anyone else.

The skipper returns to the boat and drafts a letter to British Railways addressed to Dear Filth.

 

[Welly]

I remember visiting Saxilby signal box with my Grandad way back when I was about 8. It was a diversion Sunday and there were more trains than usual that morning.

More recently I made friends with the crossing keepers at a very quiet LC not far along the line and sometimes had tea and a chat with them.

Sadly both the signalbox and the crossing box were closed and demolished a few years ago.

 

[kingqueen]

On the Settle and Carlisle stations have closed circuit phones for the use of passengers to contact the signaller to ask the status of late-running trains. The exception is Garsdale where no telephone is provided, presumably because the signal box is on the station. Signs on the signal box itself say passengers must not come near. The result is the paradox that one can communicate with the signaller from any station except those where the signaller is actually present.

Presumably telephones are easier to control when required than people are: phones can be hung up or left off the hook if necessary but there's less direct control over physical visitors.

 

[Welshman]

On the Settle and Carlisle stations have closed circuit phones for the use of passengers to contact the signaller to ask the status of late-running trains. The exception is Garsdale where no telephone is provided, presumably because the signal box is on the station. Signs on the signal box itself say passengers must not come near. The result is the paradox that one can communicate with the signaller from any station except those where the signaller is actually present.

Presumably telephones are easier to control when required than people are: phones can be hung up or left off the hook if necessary but there's less direct control over physical visitors.

Seveal years ago, when I sometimes used Heckington station, where the box is at the end of the platform, the signaller used to advise any waiting passengers of late trains - hence there was no need to approach the box.

 

[John Webb]

If anyone wants to sample life in a signal box, may I recommend coming along to one of our Open Days at St Albans South signal box, where visitors are most welcome. We can add bells and lever movements, plus, of course, the busy traffic on the Midland Main Line outside the box! See http://www.sigbox.co.uk for opening dates and times. There's even tea/coffee available and various signals in the garden you can work yourself.

 

[Deepgreen]

On the Settle and Carlisle stations have closed circuit phones for the use of passengers to contact the signaller to ask the status of late-running trains. The exception is Garsdale where no telephone is provided, presumably because the signal box is on the station. Signs on the signal box itself say passengers must not come near. The result is the paradox that one can communicate with the signaller from any station except those where the signaller is actually present.

Presumably telephones are easier to control when required than people are: phones can be hung up or left off the hook if necessary but there's less direct control over physical visitors.

How near?

 

[kingqueen]

How near?

I don't know and that isn't the terminology on the sign, I can't remember what it actually was.

 

[Shrimper]

Seveal years ago, when I sometimes used Heckington station, where the box is at the end of the platform, the signaller used to advise any waiting passengers of late trains - hence there was no need to approach the box.

Bare Lane was always like that; the signaller was usually pretty pro-active though sometimes people would go up to the box for information. In later years a whiteboard was attached to the box for information regarding train running.

 

[8A Rail]

I've visited many signal boxes within Merseyside / North Cheshire before most disappeared, mostly in the 1980's / 90's. Some were one to one official visits, some were not but all enjoyable visits regardless. The ones that stood out for me where Southport, Liverpool Lime St, Olive Mount Junction and Speke Junction. Interstingly there are still 3 boxes at least - still in existence that I still need to visit within the area, whether I do or not remains to be seen but probably unlikely.

 

[RichmondCommu]

On the Settle and Carlisle stations have closed circuit phones for the use of passengers to contact the signaller to ask the status of late-running trains. The exception is Garsdale where no telephone is provided, presumably because the signal box is on the station. Signs on the signal box itself say passengers must not come near. The result is the paradox that one can communicate with the signaller from any station except those where the signaller is actually present.

If there was a delay then there is nothing to suggest that the signal man / woman wouldn't come out on to the platform to tell everyone.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was a regular visitor at any hour 24/7 to Blea Moor, Dent, Garsdale, Ais Gill, Mallerstang and other signalboxes on the S & C at from January 1966 until September 1968.
The three regular men and relief at Blea Moor all had 20 years plus and more working on the line and living locally. Two walked to work from Salt Lake Cottages. I have no memory of anyone telling me of any ghostly phone calls or other unexplained events.

I'm very envious! By all accounts the signal box at Mallerstang was quite a walk from the the nearest road which must have been something of an adventure!

Just out of interest did the two signal men who lived at Salt Lake walk to work along the line? I only ask as it would have obviously saved a lot of time.

 

[Scouse77]

Struck up a friendship in the late 80's with a signalman in the box at Kensington Olympia. I used to spend all the school holidays down in London at my oldest sister's house. She used to make me a packed lunch everyday and give me £1.20 for an all zone travelcard which I'd then spend all day going up and down to the extremities.

Knocked at the box door at Kenny O one afternoon to ask to look around and the signaller let me in. I used to make a point of going there at least once a week and spending the shift with him.

 

[DarloRich]

on my visits to rural signal boxes - all unplanned & invited by the signal man when I have been working in the area - I have been warmly welcomed and offered tea and biscuits followed by a decent chat about our jobs and our work.

TOP TIP - always bring the biscuits and you will be very popular. Signal men like kit kats

 

[Llanigraham]

on my visits to rural signal boxes - all unplanned & invited by the signal man when I have been working in the area - I have been warmly welcomed and offered tea and biscuits followed by a decent chat about our jobs and our work.

TOP TIP - always bring the biscuits and you will be very popular. Signal men like kit kats

Cough!!!
Cream cakes!!!

 

[contractor1]

i have visited many signal boxes on pre site visits for when line blockages have been booked, mainly to introduce myself, check paperwork and just a general chat.
very rarely have i been given the.....OUT!

 

[Foxcote]

Thank you RichmondCommu for your comments. I used one of two routes to Mallerstang box. One was to walk straight up the fell side from the Church in Outhgill. The downside was that it was tough going on the rough fell and often very windy, which left me gasping for breath and often stumbling over sheep in the dark. The signalman used this route as he lived in the white cottage opposite. In my time the box was open 2200 - 0600 Mon -Fri only. Mallerstang was needed as the S & C was busy on nights with freight traffic. As an example, on the Down line, should a steam train take water at Appleby when not scheduled in the WTT to do so, (say 15 minutes at 0200) trains would be often delayed until after 0700 waiting block to block back to Blea Moor.

The second route would be to park the BR car, an Austin A95, at the north end of Birkett tunnel (264m 23ch) and walk along the line. I cannot find the Mallerstang box mileage, but hopefully, a forum member can oblige me with the details. A much better route, but further.

The men living at Salt Lake Cottages often walked along the line to work, sometimes getting a lift back home on an Up freight if it had been in the Up loop. Forum members may find it interesting that these men used to walk to Blea Moor on Christmas Day to spend a part shift keeping the braziers stocked up with coal and a good fire burning to ensure that the water columns at the end of both loops did not freeze up.

I was ASM at the time, and our area was from New Biggin to Ribblehead inclusive. I also used to work vice the District Signalman's Inspector, whose area was from Long Meg to Settle inclusive. I was often Pilotman for SLW and worked most of the sections in this area.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Thank you RichmondCommu for your comments. I used one of two routes to Mallerstang box. One was to walk straight up the fell side from the Church in Outhgill. The downside was that it was tough going on the rough fell and often very windy, which left me gasping for breath and often stumbling over sheep in the dark. The signalman used this route as he lived in the white cottage opposite. In my time the box was open 2200 - 0600 Mon -Fri only. Mallerstang was needed as the S & C was busy on nights with freight traffic. As an example, on the Down line, should a steam train take water at Appleby when not scheduled in the WTT to do so, (say 15 minutes at 0200) trains would be often delayed until after 0700 waiting block to block back to Blea Moor.

The second route would be to park the BR car, an Austin A95, at the north end of Birkett tunnel (264m 23ch) and walk along the line. I cannot find the Mallerstang box mileage, but hopefully, a forum member can oblige me with the details. A much better route, but further.

The men living at Salt Lake Cottages often walked along the line to work, sometimes getting a lift back home on an Up freight if it had been in the Up loop. Forum members may find it interesting that these men used to walk to Blea Moor on Christmas Day to spend a part shift keeping the braziers stocked up with coal and a good fire burning to ensure that the water columns at the end of both loops did not freeze up.

I was ASM at the time, and our area was from New Biggin to Ribblehead inclusive. I also used to work vice the District Signalman's Inspector, whose area was from Long Meg to Settle inclusive. I was often Pilotman for SLW and worked most of the sections in this area.

Many thanks for all of this information. Indeed its this kind of information which makes this forum so compelling. I've often thought that walking across Ribblehead viaduct must have been almost impossible on a stormy night unless you were prepared to crawl!

I've got a book on Settle and Carlisle structures which I'm pretty certain contains the mileage figures for Mallerstang but unfortunately I'm away from home tonight.

I'm pretty certain (without checking) that Dent Head signal box had closed by 1966 as that would have been another signal box involving a bit of a walk from the road and an isolated one at that.

Dent signal box is another one that fascinates me, mainly because of the characters that worked there. By all accounts a long standing signal man there cut hair and repaired radio's in his spare time, not to mention catching fish as he walked up beside the beck on his way to work.

 

[Foxcote]

Many thanks for all of this information. Indeed its this kind of information which makes this forum so compelling. I've often thought that walking across Ribblehead viaduct must have been almost impossible on a stormy night unless you were prepared to crawl!

I've got a book on Settle and Carlisle structures which I'm pretty certain contains the mileage figures for Mallerstang but unfortunately I'm away from home tonight.

I'm pretty certain (without checking) that Dent Head signal box had closed by 1966 as that would have been another signal box involving a bit of a walk from the road and an isolated one at that.

Dent signal box is another one that fascinates me, mainly because of the characters that worked there. By all accounts a long standing signal man there cut hair and repaired radio's in his spare time, not to mention catching fish as he walked up beside the beck on his way to work.

Thanks for the comments Richmondcommu. I have now found my Mallerstang box mileage, 263m 21ch, 1 mile 2 chains walk along the cess from Birkett tunnel. I never knew Dent Head to be open, closure shown as 1966.
I understood that if it had to be opened, then the S & T would require to be in attendance. I cannot recall their location, but it could have been Hellifield, - covering up to Ais Gill? Some forum member may know their location and area. As time passed, any opening became less likely, although in theory it could have reduced delays when I was Pilotman working SLW from Dent to Blea Moor. I must agree that it was a very poor location for access

Dent, like many boxes had some characters, usually those with many years service. I can agree with you on the hair cutting, as for repairing radios, I'm not sure, -but catching fish? I can't say it didn't happen, but I don't recall anyone walking to work at Dent. Those familiar with the location will know that there are hardly any dwellings in walking distance and there is a very steep hill up from the valley. (Coal Road) I could only ever drive the A95 up the hill in second gear at best.

Weather on the S&C always had to be taken into account. One day at Dent a strong wind blew up and thick fog formed bringing visibility down to a few yards. Fog working was put into operation. Conventional wisdom has it that the wind will blow the fog away. But on this day, the wind swirled the fog around and did not clear. I was not able to drive away for about two hours.

I never walked over Ribblehead viaduct in windy weather. The station was a weather reporting point and gave weather reports hourly to an RAF station, can't recall which one, but they collated all reports for the area and passed them on to The Met Office. Reports were given under headings such as type of clouds, area of sky obscured, distance visible, cloud base, rain/snow in past hour, wind speed direction etc. All were given a number 0 to 9 for the report, which took less 30 seconds to give. Weather balloons had ceased to be used and the anemometer dial was in the Booking Offce recording up to 90 knots. The station phone was xdirectory and paid for by the Met Office. The SM was paid for giving every reading, hourly on weekdays and two hourly on Sundays. This put the SM in what was called at the time, "the super tax bracket." Perhaps somebody can say at what level that started in 1966?