Difference between revisions of "Bridgnorth signal box"
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Revision as of 15:09, 21 June 2016
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 DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) 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 UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) side, opposite Pan Pudding Hill where it could control access to the goods yard[1]. A photo of the latter box circa 1900 appears in SVRSevern Valley Railway news edition 44. In 1923 both boxes were replaced by a large single central signal box[2]. 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 BRBritish Rail or British Railways on 2 December 1963, and the upper structure was demolished in 1965 just before the arrival of the SVRSevern Valley Railway Society[3].
The 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[4], 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 SVRSevern Valley Railway extended southwards[5].
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[6]. 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[7] and was completed in autumn 1978[8].
Signalling diagram
Signalling diagram in Bridgnorth as of October 2015.
Levers and Lever Leads
List of levers
No. | Colour | Description | Lever Sequence |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main Home | 11 |
2 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To No. 1 Platform Line Inner Home | 12 11 |
3 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To No. 1 Platform Line Calling On | 12 11 |
4 | Red | No. 1 Platform Line To Hollybush Road Siding Starting | 29 |
5 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To No. 2 Platform Line Inner Home | 13 11 |
6 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To No. 2 Platform Line Calling On | 13 11 |
7 | Red | No. 2 Platform Line To Hollybush Road Siding Starting | |
8 | SPACE | ||
9 | SPACE | ||
10 | Red | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To Engine Shed Sidings Inner Home | 14 13 11 |
11 | Blue | F.P.LFacing Point Lock, equipment that physically locks points so that they cannot move.. For 12 | 13 or 12 |
12 | Black | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main To No. 2 Platform Line Facing / No. 1 Platform Line | |
13 | Blue | F.P.LFacing Point Lock, equipment that physically locks points so that they cannot move.. For 14 | |
14 | Black | No. 2 Platform Line Facing / Engine Shed Sidings | |
15 | Red | Engine Shed Sidings To UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Starting | 14 |
16 | Red | Engine Shed Sidings Starting (Disc) | |
17 | SPACE | ||
18 | Red | No. 1 Platform Line To Carriage Siding Starting | 19 |
19 | Black | Carriage Siding Safety | |
20 | Red | No. 2 Platform Line To UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Calling On | |
21 | Red | No. 1 Platform Line To UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Calling On | 12 |
22 | Red+White Band | UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Advanced Starting | |
23 | Red | No. 2 Platform Line To UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Starting | |
24 | Red | No. 1 Platform Line To UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Starting | 12 |
25 | Red | Disc For 19 | 19 |
26 | Blue/Brown | Interl'k'g Lever For Boiler Shop Ground Frame | |
27 | Black | Safety Points in Hollybush Road Siding (Slotted) | |
28 | Red | Disc For 27 | 27 |
29 | Black | Platform Lines / + Over | |
30 | Red | Disc For 27 | 27 29 |
Signalling controlled from the box
All signals at Bridgnorth are of late GWRGreat Western Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W) steel tubular post and enamel arm design. Signal 1, the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Home, is motor worked.
Possible replacement
No firm plans have been made, but consideration has been given to replacing the current Bridgnorth signal box. Its location is inconvenient for modern operations and also takes up space adjacent to the station that may better be used in one way or another to deal with the high flow of passengers the station now sees. A new signal box would likely be located on the opposite side of the line at the station throat, between the bracket carrying Nos.23 and 15 signals and the Cleobury Road Bridge. This would enable quicker token exchanges with incoming and outgoing trains, and the signalman would be able to see the tail lamp of all arriving trains rather than requiring affirmation of the train's complete state from the crew. The signalman would also be able to see most of the signals within the box's control rather than requiring their being repeated by block shelf instruments. Heavy resignalling would not be necessary, although the opportunity may be taken to reconnect George's siding, currently home to four Mk1 carriages in BRBritish Rail or British Railways(S) green and in use as staff accommodation, and make the easternmost road of the yard a through road with a connection to the running lines at the north end of platform two. If the box were to be replaced, there are no certain plans on what would happen to the current box. Demolition, retention as a visitor attraction or reuse of the box for another purpose are all possibilities.
See Also
References
- ↑ Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p131
- ↑ Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p134
- ↑ Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p166
- ↑ Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )
- ↑ Bibliography#Books Marshall (1989), p200
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway news 43
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 46
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 49