List of signal boxes and Kidderminster Station signal box (c.1873-1973): Difference between pages

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[[File: Kidderminster_Pre_Preservation.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Kiderminster Station circa 1880]]'''Kidderminster Station signal box''' (not to be confused with the SVR's present day [[Kidderminster signal box]], which now bears its nameplate) was located at the southern end of the Down (to Birmingham) platform on [[Kidderminster mainline station]].
Of the signal boxes on the SVR, three survive in their original form from GWR days - the two Bewdley boxes and Highley. Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade signal boxes were both partially demolished on the line's closure and were later rebuilt, using parts from both the original boxes and from others. Arley is a former LNWR box, originally located at Yorton (near Whitchurch). Kidderminster was built from scratch, to control the new SVR terminus adjacent to the BR main line.


The box was built to a McKenzie & Holland type 1 design and opened circa 1873.<ref name=SVR131>SVR News 131, "''Signal Box 'Movements'''", Keith Beddoes</ref> On 5 February in that year the GWR had authorised the interlocking of points and signals at Kidderminster, the first mention of such interlocking in the district.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 127.</ref> By 1893 the box had a 21-lever frame.<ref name=SRS>Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref>
== List of current SVR Signal Boxes ==


In 1877-78 a footbridge was built connecting the two platforms. Although its positioning obscured part of the view from the signal box, thus contravening the Board of Trade requirements that "''the signalman should have the best possible view of the railway and be able to see the arms and lights of signals and working of the points''", the situation was allowed to remain unchanged.<ref name=KDAHS>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2eAFhE-m0yheVp4QUw1cGN3aVk/edit Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society Building Record of Kidderminster Railway Station.]</ref>
* [[Kidderminster signal box | Kidderminster Station]]
* [[Bewdley South signal box | Bewdley South]]
* [[Bewdley North signal box | Bewdley North]]
* [[Arley signal box | Arley]]
* [[Highley signal box | Highley]]
* [[Hampton Loade signal box | Hampton Loade]]
* [[Bridgnorth signal box | Bridgnorth]]


The main picture (top right) dates to around 1880<ref name=SVR131/> and shows the original location of the box relative to the new footbridge; the Comberton Road Bridge is just visible in the distance between it. The closer view of the same scene below reveals an earlier type of name plate on the box, with "Kidderminster Station" and "Signal Box" on separate boards.
== List of current SVR Ground Frames ==


<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Kidderminster_Station_Signal_Box_1.jpg | The original Kidderminster Station signal box
* [[Eardington ground frame | Eardington]]
</gallery>
* [[Bridgnorth Boiler Shop ground frame | Bridgnorth Boiler Shop]]


The visibility issue was made worse in 1900 by the extension of the Down platform north of the Comberton Road Bridge (the "Excursion Platform") with its associated signalling. The signal box was therefore dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt nearer to the running lines.<ref name=KDAHS/> Much of the existing material was retained, although differences included the shape and size of the locking room windows, the addition of five courses of facing bricks around the base, two ventilation pipes in the roof for the oil or gas lamps, and a timbered walk-way instead of a trap door covering where the signal wires and point rodding exited the locking room, as seen in the view below.<ref name=SVR131/>
== List of historical Signal Boxes and Ground Frames ==


<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Kidderminster_Station_Signal_Box_2.jpg | The relocated and rebuilt signal box
=== Severn Valley Railway===
Kidderminster Plan 1905.png| GWR Worcester Division Station Plan of Kidderminster, 1905.
</gallery>


The GWR Station Plan above shows the layout in 1905. In addition to the Station's signals, the Station box controlled the points adjacent to it which gave access to the carriage sidings and the [[Kidderminster mainline station#Locomotive shed|original Engine Shed]] north of the main line<ref group="note">The Station's small engine shed was closed in February 1932 and replaced by a new [[Kidderminster Shed|larger depot]] built on the south side of the line between [[Hoo Road Bridge]] and [[Worcester Road Bridge]].</ref> and to the [[Carriage Repair Works|Goods Shed]] siding to the south. It also controlled the points beyond the Comberton Road bridge which gave access to the carriage cleaners siding. The [[Kidderminster Junction signal box | Kidderminster Junction Signal Box]] controlled access to the [[Kidderminster mainline station#Goods yard|main goods yard sidings]] and to the Severn Valley Branch itself.
{| class="wikitable"
! Location !! Opened !! Closed !! Notes
|-
| [[Hartlebury]] Station || June 1876<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9">Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref> || 24 August 2012 || McKenzie & Holland type 2 box. Originally 21 levers, renewed with 30 lever GWR frame August 1910, frame removed and replaced with switch panel 7 November 1982.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| Hartlebury Junction || June 1876 || 15 April 1977 || McKenzie & Holland type 2 box. Originally 20 levers, renewed with 27 lever GWR frame 1912.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Leapgate Private Sidings|Leapgate Siding G.F.]] || 28 August 1939 || 12 January 1981 || Single track junction facing Stourport serving Regent Oil Co. depot. Two sidings on either side of a gantry, space for 17 20-ton wagons.<ref name="RailwaysInWorcsSVR">[http://www.miac.org.uk/severnvalleyline.html Railways in Worcestershire, Severn Valley Line], accessed 30 Nov 2015</ref><ref name="BranchLinesOfWorcs">[[Bibliography#Books | Maggs ((2009)]]</ref> Released by token.
|-
| [[Wilden Sand Siding|Sand Siding G.F.]] || || || Single track junction facing Stourport serving a large sand quarry. Points worked by a ground frame locked by the section token.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 87.</ref>
|-
| [[Stourport]] South || 1885 || 1 April 1951 || Originally 18 levers (14 working, 4 spare). Double-line block working between the two Stourport boxes was authorised in 1887<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989)]], p129</ref>. New frame circa 1923. Renamed "Stourport on Severn South" in 1934. On closure, control of layout went to Stourport North.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| Stourport North || Before 1885 || 3 May 1970 || Great Western Type 5 brick signal box. Originally a 20 lever frame, extended to 24 (18 working 6 spare)<ref>Marshall (1989)</ref> by March 1907, new 34 lever GWR frame 1914. Box extended by 6 feet 8 inches and new 43 lever frame installed April 1951, signal box then taking control of whole station. Renamed "Stourport on Severn North" in 1934, apparently kept the name until closure.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Parts used in rebuilding of Hampton Loade SB.
|-
| [[Burlish Branch|Park Street G.F.]] || || || Controlled connections at north end of Stourport to coal sidings and [[Burlish Branch|Steatite Branch/Burlish Branch]], which serviced the Steatite and Porcelain Products Co. factory near Burlish crossing.<ref name="BranchLinesOfWorcs" /><ref name="RailwaysInWorcsSVR" /> Three? levers, electrically released from Stourport (North) S.B. <ref name="StourportDiagram">SRS diagram for Stourport-on-Severn SB</ref>
|-
| [[National Cold Stores Siding | Brindley Street G.F.]] ||1941 || || Served National Cold Stores.<ref name="BranchLinesOfWorcs" /> Two? levers and an intermediate token machine, released by token.<ref name="StourportDiagram" />
|-
| [[Bewdley South signal box|Bewdley South]] || 1878 || 3 May 1970 || McKenzie and Holland Type 3 brick signal box. Originally 28 levers, extended to 31 September 1901, new 32 lever GWR frame circa 1923. Reopened and extended to 34 levers in preservation.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] || 1878 || 3 May 1970 || McKenzie and Holland Type 3 timber signal box. Original frame of unknown length, new 37 lever GWR frame 25 June 1908. Reopened in preservation.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Folly Point|Folly Point Siding G.F.]] || 16 September 1899 || 1906 || Siding laid in connection with the construction of the [[Elan Valley Aqueduct]]<ref name="RailwaysInWorcsSVR" />. Access controlled by two ground frames each with two levers, locked by a key on the electric train staff for the section<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989)]], p95</ref>.
|-
| [[Arley signal box|Arley]] || June 1883 || 28 June 1964 || McKenzie and Holland signal box, brick/timber construction. 14 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Demolished, replacement preservation-era box in same location
|-
| [[Kinlet and Billingsley Sidings signal box | Kinlet Sidings South G.F.]] || After 9 October 1895 (1st), March 1943 (2nd) || December 1913 (1st) || Replaced by S.B. in 1913, replaced S.B. in 1943. Intermediate token instrument in second incarnation. Released by token.
|-
| [[Kinlet and Billingsley Sidings signal box | Kinlet and Billingsley Sidings]] || December 1913 || March 1943 || Replaced G.F.s in 1913, itself replaced by G.F.s in 1943. 38 lever frame (32 working, 6 spare), manned 08.00-16.00 and the only box on the line able to switch out<ref>Marshall (1989), p132</ref>.
|-
| [[Kinlet and Billingsley Sidings signal box | Kinlet Sidings North G.F.]] || After 9 October 1895 (1st), March 1943 (2nd) || December 1913 (1st) || Replaced by S.B. in 1913, replaced S.B. in 1943. Intermediate token instrument in second incarnation. Released by token.
|-
| [[Highley signal box|Highley]] || June 1883 || 3 May 1970 || McKenzie and Holland signal box, brick/timber construction. 14 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Reopened in preservation, virtually unchanged since construction.
|-
| [[Alveley South ground frame | Alveley South G.F.]] || 30 January 1939 || || Two levers, released by token, intermediate token instrument.<ref name="AlveleyOpeningDoc">Opening notice for Alveley Sidings: [[Media:GWR_Alveley_Colliery_2.jpg|Side A]] and [[Media:GWR Alveley Colliery 1.jpg|Side B]].</ref>
|-
| [[Alveley North ground frame | Alveley North G.F.]] || 30 January 1939 || || Two levers, released by token, intermediate token instrument.<ref name="AlveleyOpeningDoc" />
|-
| [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]] || May 1883 || 2 December 1963 || McKenzie and Holland brick signal box, 14 levers.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Partly demolished, replica preservation-era box build from structure of Hampton and Stourport boxes
|-
| [[Hampton Loade ground frame | Hampton Loade G.F.]]* || || || Preservation-era G.F. used to run round ca. 1970 before reopening of signal box
|-
| Eardington G.F.(s) || || || Existence assumed. The [[Eardington | station]] had a goods loop, reduced to a siding in 1959. The station had no signal box and was unstaffed after 1949.
|-
| [[Knowlesands Sidings#Knowlesands Sidings ground frames | Knowlesands Sidings G.F.s]] || || || North and South G.F.s. Released by token.
|-
| [[Bridgnorth|Bridgnorth South]] || October 1892 || 1923 || GWR Type 5 brick signal box. 21 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] (1) || || October 1892 || No further details known<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />, although Marshall's comment on Buildwas Station (1) below may also apply here as interlocking of starting signal and points was authorised at the same time.
|-
| Bridgnorth (2) || 1923 || 2 December 1963 || GWR Type 8A brick signal box. 54 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Partly demolished, shortened base re-used for 30 lever preservation-era box.
|-
| [[Bridgnorth|Bridgnorth North]] || October 1892 || 1923 || GWR signal box, identical dimensions (and construction?) to South. 23 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Coalport]] || ca. November 1895 || 2 December 1963 || GWR Type 5 brick signal box. 31 lever frame. Also controlled access to [[Coalport Brick & Tile Works Siding]].
|-
| Coalport G.F. || ca. 1895 || ca. 1930 || Two lever G.F., locked from the signal box, to work the loop points and FPL at the north end of the station<ref name = "Marshall131" />. Removed and replaced by motorised points around 1930.
|-
| [[Maw and Co's Siding|Maw and Co's Siding G.F.]] || 1877 || 18 October 1959 || Originally a McKenzie and Holland signal box, demoted to ground frame status 1893, replaced by an actual ground frame by 1945.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Jackfield Siding|Jackfield Siding G.F.s]] || || Up to three ground frames serving brick and tile factories at Jackfield
|-
| [[Ironbridge and Broseley]] || 1894 || 25 November 1956 || GWR Type 5 brick signal box. 31 lever GWR frame, replaced with new frame of same length but more modern design 1917<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />, although this may have simply been a replacement of the interlocking (5 1/4 inch lever pitch retained).
|-
| [[Bowers Yard Lime Kilns Siding]] (G.F.) || 1920s? || After 1934<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Vanns (1998/2013)]] Photo dated 1934 on p.85 shows siding</ref> || Historic lime kilns revived at some date in 1920s and rail siding added. Official name not known.
|-
| [[Buildwas]] Junction || circa 1864 || 4? November 1923 || New 32 lever installed 1913.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| Power Station Siding G.F. || ca. 1931 || || Access to CEGB sidings at Buildwas. Electrically released from S.B. <ref name="BuildwasDiagram">SRS diagram for Buildwas SB</ref>
|-
| Buildwas || 4 November 1923 || 15 March 1964 || GWR Type 7D brick signal box. 66 lever frame, extended by approx. 14 feet and new 113 lever frame 9 December 1931, in connection with Power Station opening.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| Buildwas Station (1) || By 1871|| 1888 || In August 1871, the GWR Board authorised 'connecting the down starting signal with the signal box'. Marshall suggests this was probably a small cabin covering a ground frame<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989)]], p127</ref>.
|-
| Buildwas Station (2) || 23 October 1888 || 4? November 1923 || New 49 lever frame 1906.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Sand Pit siding at Buildwas|Mileage Siding G.F.]] || || || Two? lever G.F. providing access to siding at north end of Buildwas. Electrically released from S.B. <ref name="BuildwasDiagram" />
|-
| [[Cressage]] || By 1890, replaced June 1894 || 2 December 1963 || Replacement box GWR Type 5 brick signal box, 23 lever frame<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />, (19 working, 4 spare), gate wheel for the level crossing<ref name = "Marshall131">[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989)]], p131</ref>.
|-
| Cressage G.F. || 1894 || ca. 1930 || Two lever G.F., locked from the signal box, to work the loop points and FPL at the north end of the station<ref name = "Marshall131" />. Removed and replaced by motorised points around 1930.
|-
| [[Berrington]] || By 1890, replaced June 1894 || 2 December 1963 || Original box reportedly able to switch out. Replacement box GWR Type 5 brick signal box, 19 lever frame<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />, (16 working, 3 spare)<ref name = "Marshall131" />.
|-
| Berrington G.F. || 1894 || ca. 1930 || Two lever G.F., locked from the signal box, to work the loop points and FPL at the south end of the station<ref name = "Marshall131" />. Removed and replaced by motorised points around 1930.
|-
| Burnt Mill Junction || Box ordered January 1894 || 14 February 1937 || 10 lever frame.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> End of short double track section from Sutton Bridge Jn
|-
| [[Sutton_Bridge_Junction_Signal_Box|Sutton Bridge Junction]] || 1913 || Open || Replacement box opened 1913.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /> Still open.
|-
|}


On 1 May 1913 the 21-lever frame was replaced by a larger 30-lever GWR 3-bar vertical tappet frame.<ref name=SRS/> The Station box worked directly to Kidderminster Junction Signal Box until 15th July 1973 when the former was closed and its area of control came under the Junction Box. The 30-lever frame was then transferred to the ex-LNWR box at [[Arley signal box|Arley]]. The Station Box was subsequently demolished; its name plate now adorns the SVR's [[Kidderminster Station signal box (1987 onwards)|Kidderminster signal box]] which opened in 1987.
===Tenbury and Bewdley Railway (at Bewdley)===


<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
{| class="wikitable"
Kidderminster signal box.jpg | The SVR's new signal box with the original nameplate
! Location !! Opened !! Closed !! Notes
</gallery>
|-
|Bewdley South ||1864 ||1878? ||Early McKenzie, Clunes & Co box situated between the Down platform and the [[Bewdley Down Yard | goods yard]]. 10ft x 12ft x 10ft in size, with 7 signal levers and 4 point levers<ref Name = "Beddoes">[[Bibliography#Books | Beddoes and Smith (1995)]], p27</ref>.
|-
|Bewdley North || 1864 || 1878? || McKenzie, Clunes & Co ‘signal box’ provided in 1864 for signals at the north end. Cost only £8 10s, suggesting probably a hut covering a ground frame<Ref name = "Beddoes" />.
|-
|}

=== Kidderminster Loop Line ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Location !! Opened !! Closed !! Notes
|-
| [[Kidderminster Station signal box (c.1873-1973) | Kidderminster Station]] || Ca. 1873 || 15 July 1973 || McKenzie and Holland brick signal box. 21 levers by 1893. Relocated closer to the running line in 1900. New 30 lever GWR frame 1 May 1913. Frame re-used in preservation-era box at Arley<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />, name plate used on current SVR box.
|-
| [[Kidderminster Junction signal box|Kidderminster Junction]] || By 1882 || 24 August 2012<ref>[http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/Kidderminster_junction_signal_box.html UK Railways 1970 Till Today], accessed 30 Nov 2015</ref> || Original box perhaps McKenzie and Holland, 35 lever frame, new 40 lever frame circa 1912. Replacement GWR Type 28B timber box 18 December 1937. Box demolished by derailed wagon on 7 June 1953, temporary SB until 25 October 1953 when new brick box with 66 levers built.<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" />
|-
| [[Kidderminster ground frame | Kidderminster G.F.]]* || || || Temporary preservation-era G.F. before commissioning of signal box.
|-
| [[H. Whitehouse's Sand Siding | H. Whitehouse's Sand Siding]] || || || Siding for 12 wagons, controlled by a ground frame.
|-
| [[Ground Frames at Foley Park | Foley Park Sidings G.F.]] || || || Provided access to British Sugar.
|-
| [[Ground Frames at Foley Park | Foley Park BR/SVR Boundary G.F.]]* || || || Two preservation-era G.F.s controlling SVR/BR boundary.
|-
|}

<nowiki />* Installed during preservation but later removed as no longer required.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of signal boxes#Kidderminster Loop Line | List of signal boxes]]


==Notes==
[[Wrangaton Signal Box]] at [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]]
<references group="note"/>


==References==
==References==
<references/>


[[Category: Featured articles]]
<references />

== Links ==

[http://www.svrsig.org/ SVR Signals & Telegraph Department web site]

Latest revision as of 14:33, 29 January 2024

Kiderminster Station circa 1880

Kidderminster Station signal box (not to be confused with the SVR's present day Kidderminster signal box, which now bears its nameplate) was located at the southern end of the Down (to Birmingham) platform on Kidderminster mainline station.

The box was built to a McKenzie & Holland type 1 design and opened circa 1873.[1] On 5 February in that year the GWR had authorised the interlocking of points and signals at Kidderminster, the first mention of such interlocking in the district.[2] By 1893 the box had a 21-lever frame.[3]

In 1877-78 a footbridge was built connecting the two platforms. Although its positioning obscured part of the view from the signal box, thus contravening the Board of Trade requirements that "the signalman should have the best possible view of the railway and be able to see the arms and lights of signals and working of the points", the situation was allowed to remain unchanged.[4]

The main picture (top right) dates to around 1880[1] and shows the original location of the box relative to the new footbridge; the Comberton Road Bridge is just visible in the distance between it. The closer view of the same scene below reveals an earlier type of name plate on the box, with "Kidderminster Station" and "Signal Box" on separate boards.

  • The original Kidderminster Station signal box
    The original Kidderminster Station signal box

The visibility issue was made worse in 1900 by the extension of the Down platform north of the Comberton Road Bridge (the "Excursion Platform") with its associated signalling. The signal box was therefore dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt nearer to the running lines.[4] Much of the existing material was retained, although differences included the shape and size of the locking room windows, the addition of five courses of facing bricks around the base, two ventilation pipes in the roof for the oil or gas lamps, and a timbered walk-way instead of a trap door covering where the signal wires and point rodding exited the locking room, as seen in the view below.[1]

  • The relocated and rebuilt signal box
    The relocated and rebuilt signal box
  • GWR Worcester Division Station Plan of Kidderminster, 1905.
    GWR Worcester Division Station Plan of Kidderminster, 1905.

The GWR Station Plan above shows the layout in 1905. In addition to the Station's signals, the Station box controlled the points adjacent to it which gave access to the carriage sidings and the original Engine Shed north of the main line[note 1] and to the Goods Shed siding to the south. It also controlled the points beyond the Comberton Road bridge which gave access to the carriage cleaners siding. The Kidderminster Junction Signal Box controlled access to the main goods yard sidings and to the Severn Valley Branch itself.

On 1 May 1913 the 21-lever frame was replaced by a larger 30-lever GWR 3-bar vertical tappet frame.[3] The Station box worked directly to Kidderminster Junction Signal Box until 15th July 1973 when the former was closed and its area of control came under the Junction Box. The 30-lever frame was then transferred to the ex-LNWR box at Arley. The Station Box was subsequently demolished; its name plate now adorns the SVR's Kidderminster signal box which opened in 1987.

  • The SVR's new signal box with the original nameplate
    The SVR's new signal box with the original nameplate

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ The Station's small engine shed was closed in February 1932 and replaced by a new larger depot built on the south side of the line between Hoo Road Bridge and Worcester Road Bridge.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 SVR News 131, "Signal Box 'Movements'", Keith Beddoes
  2. ↑ Marshall (1989) p. 127.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society Building Record of Kidderminster Railway Station.

Severn Valley Railway

In reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR)

Great Western Railway

London & North Western Railway

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