Difference between revisions of "Arley signal box"
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[[File:Arley box diagram.gif|800px]] | [[File:Arley box diagram.gif|800px]] | ||
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| + | ==Adderbury Signal Box== | ||
| + | As noted above, the original Arley Signal Box was demolished. The somewhat larger signal box from Adderbury, on the 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 dismantled at Adderbury in April 1973, and transported to Arley where it was unloaded as a 'kit of parts'<ref>SVR News 28</ref>. However by the following year the process of installing the former Yorton box had begun. The fate of the Adderbury box is unknown. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[List of signal boxes]] | * [[List of signal boxes]] | ||
Revision as of 17:05, 20 November 2015
A signal box situated at Arley station, working to Bewdley North and Highley using ETT regulations in both directions. It can be switched out if trains are not required to cross.
Description
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 by road from Yorton, on the LNWRLondon & North Western Railway route between Shrewsbury and Crewe, to Hay Bridge, from where it was moved by rail to Arley. The signal box was fully commissioned on April 10th 1976.
At present 23 levers are in use, with 6 spaces and one spare lever.
Operational Features
Arley is one of two signal boxes on the SVRSevern Valley Railway that can be switched out, the other being Hampton Loade. When the box is switched out the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Loop cannot be used. Arley and Hampton Loade are also the only signal boxes on the SVRSevern Valley Railway that are 'crossing places' as per the ETTElectric Train Token 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 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 SVRSevern Valley Railway signal box whose electrically locked levers are operated by the lever catch handles, so the signalman does not have to push a separate release plunger.
History
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 GWRGreat Western Railway practice, and a bracket for entry to the yard at the up home signal. A diagram is available on the signalbox.org website.
Arley signal box closed under BRBritish Rail or British Railways ownership on Sunday 28 June 1964. The Train Register recording the closure is on display in The Engine House at Highley.
Arley Train Register
Following closure, the lever frame and much of the other equipment was used to reinstate Bridgnorth signal box in 1969.
The signal post of the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Home signals was originally the signal post of the UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) From Shrewsbury Home signals at Bewdley North. It was originally located at the south end of Wribbenhall Viaduct, somewhat further south than its modern replacement.
After preservation, Arley became the first SVRSevern Valley Railway signal box with worked distant signals.
Diagram
Adderbury Signal Box
As noted above, the original Arley Signal Box was demolished. The somewhat larger signal box from Adderbury, on the former GWRGreat Western Railway to Kingham branch, was donated to the SVRSevern Valley Railway in early 1973 as a potential replacement[1][2]. It was dismantled at Adderbury in April 1973, and transported to Arley where it was unloaded as a 'kit of parts'[3]. However by the following year the process of installing the former Yorton box had begun. The fate of the Adderbury box is unknown.
