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Bridgnorth signal box

286 bytes added, 08:20, 19 December 2015
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A signal box at [[Bridgnorth]] that works to [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]] (short section) or [[Highley signal box|Highley]] (long section) using [[Single line working using tokens|ETT regulations]].
Bridgnorth has had a number of signal boxes during its existence. Initially construction of two boxes was authorised in 1891 and these were brought into use in October 1892. Bridgnorth North signal box was situated north of the station on the Down side, where the two lines converged into the single line. The foundations can still be made out on the embankment side. Bridgnorth South Signal Box was at the south end of the station on the Up side, opposite [[Bridgnorth#Pan Pudding Hill | Pan Pudding Hill]] where it could control access to the goods yard<ref>[[Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p131]]</ref>. A photo of the latter box circa 1900 appears in SVR news edition 44. In 1923 both boxes were replaced by a large single central signal box<ref>[[Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p134]]</ref>. It was far larger than Bridgnorth Station layout really required with many spaces in the lever frame. This was future-proofing for alterations required for the planned line to Wolverhampton that was never constructed. This was closed by BR on 2 December 1963, and the upper structure was demolished in 1965 just before the arrival of the SVR Society<ref>[[Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p166]]</ref>.
The masonary masonry base of the former central signal box was originally slightly longer than it is today. Evidence of this truncation may be found by inspection of the brickwork towards the northern end on the front wall. The upper timber section was replaced by an ill-fitting box originally built in 1925 which was relocated from Pensnett in December 1968 and erected during the following year. The frame originated from Windmill End Junction signal box<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9">Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref>, with parts of the interlocking and signalling instruments taken from [[Arley signal box]], which would later require that box in turn to be re-equipped when the SVR extended southwards<ref>[[Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p200]]</ref>.
The signal box suffered a fire on the night of 1 January 1977. This initially started in the mains electricity switch-gear under the staircase; the staircase and surrounding floorboards were well alight before the fire brigade arrived. Structural damage was mainly confined to the south end of the box, but smoke and water damage was caused to much of the equipment. The burnt woodwork had been replaced by mid-February, and the burnt wiring replaced on a "make do and mend" basis in time for the 1977 running season<ref>SVR news 43</ref>. Further work was done to the box as part of a major re-laying of track at Bridgnorth which began at the end of 1977<ref>SVR News 46</ref> and was completed in autumn 1978<ref>SVR News 49</ref>.
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