[[File: Arley_Signal_Box_20150426.jpg |thumb|300px|right| Arley Signal Box in 2015]]
[[File:16998936 10209018257838938 3707299790826753434 n.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Arley in 1960 with the original signal box (Photo: Geoffrey Skelsey)]]
A signal box situated at [[Arley]] station, working to [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] and [[Highley signal box|Highley]] using [[Single line working using tokens|ETT regulations]] in both directions. It can be switched out if trains are not required to cross.
== Diagram Description==The current signal box was reconstructed from 1974 to 1976 approximately on the site of the original signal box, which had been demolished by SVR volunteers at a time when extension southwards from [[Hampton Loade]] seemed unlikely. The frame, which has 30 levers, is originally from [[Kidderminster_Station_signal_box_(c.1873-1973) | Kidderminster Station signal box]] (not to be confused with the post-preservation [[Kidderminster_Station_signal_box_(1987_onwards) | Kidderminster Station signal box]]), supplemented by specialist parts from Severn Beach and Gelli Las (Mid Glamorgan)<ref>SVR News 100, "Twenty years of Severn Valley signalling", John Phillips</ref>. The box superstructure was moved by road from Yorton, on the LNWR route between [[Shrewsbury]] and Crewe, to [[Hay Bridge]], from where it was moved by rail to Arley. The signal box was fully commissioned on 10 April 1976. At present 23 levers are in use, with 6 spaces and one spare lever. The repeater for signal number 6, the only stop signal not visible from the box, originates from the Didcot Newbury & Southampton branch of the GWR. ==Operational features==Arley is one of two signal boxes on the SVR that can be switched out, the other being [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]]. When the box is switched out the Down Loop cannot be used. Arley and Hampton Loade are also the only signal boxes on the SVR that are 'crossing places' as per the ETT regulations. Unusually, when the box is switched out the yard can still be accessed, by operating the signal box lever frame as a ground frame. An intermediate token instrument is provided inside the P.Way hut to enable trains to be locked into the yard. One side effect of this operation is that whilst the yard is being shunted, the Highley and Bewdley North signalmen are unable to communicate by bell signal. Arley is the only SVR signal box the electrically locked levers of which are operated by the lever catch handles, so the signalman does not have to push a separate release plunger. <gallery>File:Arley token instrument.jpg | The intermediate token instrument</gallery> == History ==Before preservation, the original signal box was a mirror image of the still-extant signal box at Highley, and had a 14-lever frame with no switching out facility.<ref>1960 Sectional Appendix for the WR Birmingham Traffic District</ref> Other minor changes include two stacked disc signals at the toe of the yard points as per normal GWR practice, and a bracket for entry to the yard at the up home signal. A diagram is available [http://www.signalbox.org/diagrams.php?id=669 on the signalbox.org website]. A major factor in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abermule_train_collision collision at Abermule in 1921] was that the tablet instruments which controlled the single line working were installed in the station building rather than the signal box, a practice condemned by the inspecting officer Colonel Pringle.<ref>Red for Danger, L.T.C. Rolt</ref> Despite this, the token instruments at Arley were installed in the station booking office, only being moved to the signal box by the SVR in preservation.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989), pp. 134-135.]]</ref>
Arley signal box closed under BR ownership on Sunday 28 June 1964. The Train Register recording the closure was formerly on display in [[The Engine House]] at Highley.<gallery>File:Arley box diagramTrain_Register_Arley_20090626.gifjpg |400px]]Arley Train Register</gallery>
== Description ==Following closure, parts of the lever frame and much of the other equipment was used to reinstate [[Bridgnorth signal box]] in 1969<ref>[[Bibliography#Books | Marshall (1989), p. 200.]]</ref>. An element of these parts' removal by SVR volunteers was, ironically, the demolition of the Box, meaning an entire new Box and frame had to be sourced when the SVR extended southwards (which seemed extremely unlikely in 1969 when demolition occurred). A fragment of the original interlocking is in the care of [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] and provides an interesting demonstration on the operation of tappet interlocking.
The current signal box was reconstructed from 1974 to 1976 on the site of the original signal box, which had been demolished. The frame, which has 30 levers, was previously used at the old Kidderminster Station signal box; the box superstructure was moved from YortonAfter preservation, on Arley became the LNWR route between Shrewsbury and Crewe. The first SVR signal box was fully commissioned on April 10th 1976with worked distant signals.
At present 23 levers are in use, with 6 spaces and one spare lever.== Diagram ==
== Operational Features ==[[File:Arley box diagram.gif|800px]]
== Levers and Lever Leads ==<gallery>File:Arley is one of two signal boxes on the SVR that can be switched out, the other being [[Hampton Loade signal boxlevers 1 to 6.jpg |Hampton Loade]]Levers 1 to 6File:Arley levers 10 to 15. When the box is switched out the Down Loop cannot be usedjpg | Levers 10 to 15File:Arley levers 14 to 19. jpg | Levers 14 to 19File:Arley and Hampton Loade are also the only signal boxes on the SVR that are 'crossing places' as per the ETT regulationslevers 23 to 27.jpg | Levers 23 to 27</gallery>
Unusually, when the box is switched out the yard can still be accessed, by operating the signal box lever frame as a ground frame{| class="wikitable"! style="text-align:left;" | No. An intermediate token instrument is provided to enable trains to be locked into the yard!! style="text-align:left;" | Colour !! style="text-align:left;" | Description !! style="text-align:left;" | Lever Sequence|-| 1 || Yellow || Down Main Distant || 2 3 6 |-| 2 || Red || Down Main Home || 11 10|-| 3 || Red || Down Main Start'g || |-| 4 || Red || Down Main To Down Loop Home || 10|- | 5 || Red || Down Loop To Down Main Start'g || 16|-| 6 || Red with white band || Down Main Adv'c'd Start'g || |-| 7 || || (space) |||-| 8 || || (space) |||-| 9 || || (space) |||-| 10 || Blue || F. One side effect of this operation is that whilst the yard is being shunted, the Highley and Bewdley North signalmen are unable to communicate by bell signalP.L. For 11 || NIL or 11|-| 11 || Black || Down Main To Down Loop Facing / Down Main |||-| 12 || Blue/Brown || Switch'g Out Lever || 11 10 15 17; Notch 3: 1 25|-| 13 || Red || Disc for 14 || 14|-| 14 || Black || Up Main Facing / Sidings || |-| 15 || Blue || F.P.L. for 14 || NIL or 14|-| 16 || Black || Up Main Facing / From Down Loop |||-| 17 || Blue || F.P.L. for 16 || 15 or 16|-| 18 || Red || Disc at 14 || 15|-| 19 || Red || Up Main To Sidings Home (Disc) || 14 15 17 18|-| 20 || || (space) |||-| 21 || || (space) |||- | 22 || || (space) |||-| 23 || Red with white band || Up Main Start'g || 11|-| 24 || Red || Up Main Home || 15 17 18|-| 25 || Yellow || Up Main Distant || 24 23|-| 26 || White || (spare) |||-| 27 || Blue/Brown || Release Lever For 14 When Switch'd Out || 12|-| 28 || || (space) |||-| 29 || || (space) |||-| 30 || || (space) |||}
Arley ==Signalling controlled from the box==The Down Home signals post, bracket and assemblies were originally the Up From Shrewsbury Inner Home signals at Bewdley North. It was originally located at the south end of [[Wribbenhall Viaduct]], somewhat further south than its modern replacement, but was removed from there on 4 January 1976 due to rot in the lower part of the post.<ref>\SVR News 40</ref> These are wooden post GWR design signals as is the Up distant. The Up distant (signal 25 on the diagram above) is the only signal on the SVR signal box whose electrically locked levers are operated by included in the lever catch handles, so [[Wyre Forest District Council Local Heritage List]].<ref>[http://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/planning-and-buildings/conservation-areas-and-listed-buildings/listed-buildings/local-heritage-list/local-heritage-list-for-the signalman does not have to push a separate release plunger-severn-valley-railway.aspx WFDC Local heritage list]</ref>
== History ==All other signals at Arley are of late GWR/BR(W) steel tubular post and enamel metal arm type. Signal 23, on the up platform, was originally the up starting signal at Llangollen, and removed by SVR volunteers before preservation efforts commenced there. Signal 1, the Down Distant, is motor worked.
Before preservation, the original signal box had a 14-lever frame with no switching out facility. Other minor changes include two stacked disc signals at the toe of the yard points as per normal GWR practice, and a bracket for entry to the yard at the up home signal. A diagram is available [http://www.signalbox.org/diagrams.php?id=669 on the signalbox.org website].=Gallery==
The <gallery>File:Arley Up Distant front.JPG|Arley Up Distant (signal post of the Down Home signals was originally the signal post of the 25)File:Arley Up From Shrewsbury Home signals at Bewdley North. It was originally located at the south end of [[Wribbenhall Viaduct]], somewhat further south than its modern replacementDistant.jpg|Arley Up Distant (signal 25)</gallery>
After preservation==Adderbury Signal Box==As noted above, the original Arley became Signal Box was demolished. The somewhat larger signal box from Adderbury, on the first former GWR to Kingham branch, was donated to the SVR in early 1973 as a potential replacement.<ref>SVR News 26</ref><ref>[http://www.arleystation.org.uk/ashistory2.html Arley Station website history page]</ref> It was a GW type 27C box, built in about December 1905.<ref>[https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gws/S2803.htm Adderbury, The Signalling Record Society] (Retrieved 24 April 2023)</ref> It was dismantled at Adderbury in April 1973, and transported to Arley where it was unloaded as a 'kit of parts'<ref>SVR News 28</ref>. It was carefully stacked in the station yard adjacent to the original signal box with worked distant signalsbase and close to the boundary. The stack consisted of wooden sectional panels and a roof. The roofing slates had been removed at Adderbury before transfer and were stacked close by.
== See Also ==However by the following year the process of installing the former Yorton box had begun. Adderbury Signal box never left Arley Station. It remained there, untouched, until it was time to relay the sidings, when it was found to be in the way of the back road. By then much of it had already been cannibalised for other SVR projects. The sad remains of Adderbury Signal Box, by now starting to rot, were scrunched-up with the Drott and burned.
==See also==
* [[List of signal boxes]]
==References==
<references />
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