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[[File:Highley Signal Box in 2013Highley_Signal_Box_20170618.jpg |thumb|200px300px|right| Highley Signal Box (Wikimedia Commons)]]'''Highley Signal Box ''' (HY) is an original McKenzie and Holland Type 3 signal box, built in 1883. It is situated opposite [[Highley|Highley station]]. It works to [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]] and [[Arley signal box|Arley]] on short section working, and to [[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] and [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] on the long sections using [[Single line working using tokens|ETT regulations]].

The box was built in its current position in 1883, and has not changed significantly in that time, with the exception of modifications to the interlocking of the lever frame. The box previously controlled access to Highley's [[Collieries served by the Severn Valley Railway#Highley Colliery|colliery exchange sidings, the site of which is now the ]] where [[The Engine House]] now stands. Two ground frames once existed were commissioned on 30 January 1939 in the section to Hampton Loade, allowing access to [[Alveley Sidings]], namely [[Alveley North Sidings (South) ground frame|Alveley Sidings (South)]] and [[Alveley South Sidings (North) ground framesframe|Alveley Sidings (North)]]. An intermediate token instrument was provided to allow trains to be locked in to these sidings. The North ground frame was taken out of use in 1974, whilst the South ground frame survived until an unknown later date, released on the Highley-Hampton Loade token.

The box was closed by BR in 1969 with the cessation ending of coal traffic from Alveley. BR were already aware of the SVR's intention to Alveleytake on the southern section of the line, so in December 1972 the SVR acquired "''...a virtually intact and working box together with all the original signals and associated track and point work''".<ref name=SVR29>SVR News 29</ref> The outside of the box was repainted in traditional GWR colours, while Arley’s Barry Geens carried out a meticulous restoration of the wood and brass work on the block instrument shelf.<ref name=SVR29/> The box was brought back into use on 02/032 March 1974<ref>SVR News 31</1974 ref> with the commissioning of ETT working to Hampton Loade, in time for passenger services to Highley to begin in April 1974. Passenger services were extended to Arley and Bewdley the following month, although without ETT working. Long section working to Bridgnorth was brought into use in 1975, and ETT working to Arley and Bewdley North was commissioned on 10/04/April 1976.

The interior was used for filming in 1974 of the atmospheric TV film [[The Signalman]], starring Denholm Elliot and closely following Dickens' work of the same title. It also featured in an episode of [[Survivors]].

== Operation and Equipment equipment ==

=== Lever Frame frame ===Highley retains its original 14 lever McKenzie and Holland 1873 patent lever frame, with 11 working levers, 3 spare, and no spaces. The interlocking was replaced with GWR 5-bar vertical tappet interlocking in 1947. <ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9" /><gallery>File:Highley box interior 2.jpg | Interlocking mechanismFile:Highley box interior 1.jpg | Point rodding and bell cranks</gallery>

Highley retains its original 14 lever McKenzie and Holland 1873 patent lever frame, with 11 working levers, 3 spare, and no spaces. The interlocking was replaced in 1903 with more standard tappet interlocking by the GWR. === Block Sections sections === The box works in both directions using Electric Token Block regulations, and is fitted with four Tyer's No. 9 token instruments. In the Up direction, Highley works to either [[Arley signal box|Arley]] (short section) , or [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] (long section)when Arley box is switched out. The Highley-Bewdley North long section token unlocks Arley signal box so it may operate as a ground frame, allowing for access to the yard when that box is switched out. An intermediate token instrument is provided to allow trains to be locked in. In the Down direction, the section is to [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]] (short section) , or [[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] (long section)when Hampton Loade is switched out. The Highley-Bridgnorth long section token unlocks a 2-lever ground frame at [[Eardington]], allowing access to the siding located there. Although passenger services cannot cross at Highley, Highley box itself cannot be switched out when these are operating.

{| class="wikitable"! style= See Also "text-align:left;" | No. !! style="text-align:left;" | Colour !! style="text-align:left;" | Description !! style="text-align:left;" | Lever Sequence|-| 1 || White || Spare || |-| 2 || Red || Up Main Home || 4|-| 3 || Red with white band || Up Main Starting || |-| 4 || Blue || FPL for 5 |||- | 5 || Black || Up Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding |||-| 6 || White || Spare || |-| 7 || Red with white band || Down Disc for 5 || 5|-| 8 || Red with white band || Up Disc for 10 || 10|-| 9 || White || Spare |||-| 10 || Black || Down Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding || Nil or 11|-| 11 || Blue || FPL to 10 || Nil or 10|-| 12 || Red with white stripe || Down Main Starting |||-| 13 || Red || Down Main Home || 11|-| 14 || Red || Down Disc to No. 1 Siding Home || 10 11 |}

== See also ==* [[List of signal boxes]]