Hampton Loade signal box
Hampton Loade Signal Box (HL) is a McKenzie and Holland-style signal box, situated on the Up end of the main platform at Hampton Loade station. It works to Bridgnorth and Highley.
Contents
History
The original signal box was built in 1883 (?), in conjunction with the addition of a loop and second platform to the station. 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. The new box and signalling was recommissioned on 19/05/1973, 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 ETT section to Highley was signed into use on 02/03/1974, 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 27/12/2014.
Operation and Equipment
Lever Frame
Hampton Loade contains a 16-lever GWR tappet frame, put together from a frame from Ledbury North End, 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
See Also
References
- "Hampton Loade". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&T Department (unofficial) website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
- "Highley". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&T 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.