What was this signalbox?

[Western 52]

About 40 years ago I took the attached photo of a derelict signalbox located near Splott junction in Cardiff. At the time I recorded it as Splott Junction box, but on line I can't find reference to it. Does anyone know what this box was? There were derelict signals in the area too.

 

[Gloster]

Difficult to be certain. I think it may North East Junction, closed May 1980, which was down by Roath Dock. However, it could be Docks Storage South, closed October 1978; Docks Storage North is less likely as it was closed December 1973. North East Junction is recorded as having brickwork added, which is what appears to be the case here. Docks Storage North also had extra brickwork, but it is not recorded for Storage South, although that might be lack of records.

 

[Western 52]

The name North East Junction rings a bell for some reason, but I can't find a photo online to check. I guess the additional brickwork would have been a wartime strengthening measure?

 

[Adrian Barr]

The name North East Junction rings a bell for some reason, but I can't find a photo online to check.

Photo by Ray Viney on Flickr, location looks identical to me: https://www.flickr.com/photos/56639754@N02/26380376831/

I found this Signalling Railway Society online historical map of signal boxes just this morning (overlaid onto on OS map) which is very useful - https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/osMap.php

 

[Western 52]

Yes that is certainly the same one! Location problem solved, many thanks for the replies. My shot was taken about 1985 so it had deteriorated a lot in the 5 years since it closed. Probably a target for vandals.

 

[Adrian Barr]

To be more specific, both photos must have been taken from the bend on "Clipper Road" near EMR Cardiff, looking towards Splott Junction with the Eastern Bay Link Road in the background. The rusty rails in the foreground lead into the EMR scrapyard (which used to take scrap from Exeter a few years back) with the other track leading to the Castle Works of Celsa (Cardiff Rod Mill).

The two tracks are visible on the right in this 2019 picture (taken from the link road), with the 08 heading to Castle Works:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/turners_pics/48067454877/

The tree above the first wagon in that picture can be seen above the last wagon in this picture, which is looking towards Castle Works from Ocean Way above Splott Junction itself (track from the docks coming in bottom left). Same long blue shed in both pictures - I think the older building at the right of the 1991 picture has gone. https://www.flickr.com/photos/turners_pics/48067400998/

I spent ages finding pictures of Cardiff Tidal / Celsa / docks when compiling this 2022 post about Cardiff Celsa operations and the docks:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/timetable-for-cardiff-celsa-trips.256361/post-6498211

It covered contemporary operations, but I'd be interested to know more about the historical purpose of the junction - I thought it was purely a siding there, but looking at a map, it presumably accessed the north part of Roath Dock at some point (with current rail loading of steel slab taking place on the other side of the dock).

 

[Rescars]

Difficult to be certain. I think it may North East Junction, closed May 1980, which was down by Roath Dock. However, it could be Docks Storage South, closed October 1978; Docks Storage North is less likely as it was closed December 1973. North East Junction is recorded as having brickwork added, which is what appears to be the case here. Docks Storage North also had extra brickwork, but it is not recorded for Storage South, although that might be lack of records.

"Docks Storage South". Oh the poetry of GWR signal box names!