Kidderminster Station signal box (1987 onwards)
A signal box at Kidderminster, working to Bewdley South. The box also communicates with Network Rail's West Midlands Signalling Centre (WMSC) at Saltley.
Kidderminster Town had no signal box when it opened in 1984, resulting in an 'only one engine in steam' restriction on operations which were controlled by a simple ground frame. The signal box was built during between July and December 1986, the design being based on a typical GWR medium-sized box. Extensive measurements of Abbey Foregate and Sutton Bridge Junction signal boxes at Shrewsbury ensure authenticity. Installation of the signalling equipment took place throughout 1987. The installation work involved an estimated 8,000 man hours. producing a fully assembled 62 lever frame complete with all mechanical locking, fitting to the frame of 35 electric locks and 5 combined locks and circuit controllers, and installation of a 22 ft long block shelf complete with instruments. The box was commissioned in December of that year following installation of the most vital piece of equipment, the signalman’s leather armchair.
Until 2012 Kidderminster Station Signal Box worked to Kidderminster Junction signal box, 'over the fence' and operated by BR, RailTrack and finally Network Rail. The connection between the SVR and national rail was somewhat limiting, requiring staff on the track for any movement between railways. This all changed when Kidderminster Junction signal box closed in 2012 and extensive work by Network Rail and SVR S&T technicians installed one of the most comprehensive connections between the national rail network and a private heritage railway in existence, with movements from the SVR onto the Down Main and movements from the Up & Down Mains onto Network Rail being completely locked and signalled movements overseen by the cooperative efforts of the SVR signalman and NR signaller at Saltley. This upgrade also saw the first non-GWR/BR(W) signal installed on the SVR, in the form of a colour light signal reading from the SVR's 'exchange' line onto the national network or into the SVR's North Star Carriage & Wagon Works.
During the morning of Saturday 3 March 2013, the signal box suffered a small fire in the roof at the point where the stove flue passes through the ceiling. The signalman was able to leave the box without injury. A small section of the roof was destroyed, and there was some damage to the telephone system and the domestic wiring caused by the water used by the Fire Brigade, although the signalling equipment was largely unaffected. Kiddermister station was initially closed. Once access to the box was regained, the water was mopped up to prevent it falling into the frame room and its electrics. By 4pm the debris had been cleared and the roof made weather-proof with a plastic sheet supplied by Bewdley C&W Department. Rapid work by the S&T and PW departments then saw normal service resumed by commencement of operations on the following day.
Signalling diagram
