Hampton Loade signal box

Hampton Loade Signal Box

Hampton Loade Signal Box (HL) is a McKenzie and Holland-style signal box, situated on the UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) end of the main platform at Hampton Loade station. It works to Bridgnorth and Highley using ETT regulations.

History

The original signal box was brought into use in 1883 in conjunction with the addition of a loop and second platform, with Board of Trade approval of the new arrangements being granted in June of that year. The section to Highley latterly contained two ground frames released by the token, Alveley North and Alveley South, allowing access to the coal sidings at Alveley. An intermediate token instrument was also provided.

On the closure of the line in 1963, the box was largely dismantled, with parts reportedly being used to build a chicken coop in the garden of the station house. The box was rebuilt, starting in 1971, using parts from the original box and that at Stourport, incorporating the lever frame from Ledbury North End. Having been built around the original frame of the building, it is a facsimile of the original box. The new box and signalling was recommissioned on 19 May 1973, initially working to Bridgnorth using One Engine in Steam, and then Electric Token Block a few weeks later after the commissioning of the token instruments. The ETTElectric Train Token section to Highley was signed into use on 2 March 1974, with the token releasing Alveley South ground frame.

The box gained the ability to switch out by Whitsun in 1975, and the down and up distants were brought into use in 1981 and 1982. Several overhauls of the box equipment have been carried out, including point rodding in 1982, rewiring in 1983, the mechanical interlocking in 1992, and a second rewiring in 2012/2013. The latter was done in conjunction with the resiting of the token instruments, which had previously been sited on the brick support for the fireplace, which was not rebuilt in 1973. A replacement fireplace and chimney were brought into use on 27 December 2014.

Operation and Equipment

Lever Frame

Hampton Loade contains a 16-lever GWRGreat Western Railway 5-bar vertical tappet frame dating from 1938, replacing the original which was removed and scrapped on the closure of the line. It was originally in Ledbury North End Signal Box, with 15 working levers, no spares, and one space.

Block Sections

The box works in both directions using Electric Token Block regulations, has two Tyer's No. 9 token instruments, and is able to switch out. The adjacent signal boxes are Highley (up) and Bridgnorth (down), which work directly to each other when Hampton Loade is switched out. The intermediate siding at Eardington can only be accessed on the long section token.

Signalling diagram

Levers and Lever Leads

Signalling controlled from the box

All signals are of late GWRGreat Western Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W) steel tubular post and enamel arm design. Signal 16, the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Distant, is motor worked.

See Also

• List of signal boxes

References

Also

• "Hampton Loade". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&TSignals & Telegraph Department (unofficial) website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
• "Highley". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&TSignals & Telegraph Department (unofficial) website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
• "Hampton Loade Railway Station". Wikipedia article. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
• "Hampton Loade Signal Box". Informational handout for signal box visits during a special event on 25/07/2004. Text transcribed by Dave Rowley, and available on his website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.