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See also [[Sutton_Bridge_JunctionFile:Sutton_Bridge_Junction_Signal_Box_Front_20210507.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Sutton Bridge Junction Signal Box (2021)]]'''Sutton Bridge Junction Signal Box''' is an operational signal box on Network Rail. It is located approximately &frac34; of a mile south of [[Shrewsbury|Shrewsbury station]], and controls [[Sutton Bridge Junction]]. It originally controlled the connection between the Severn Valley Branch and the rest of the network at Shrewsbury, and still controls the junction between the Shrewsbury & Hereford line and the Cambrian line to Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. It also controls access to [[Shrewsbury#Shrewsbury Shed|Coleham Yard]], and has an Up goods loop, which is the truncated 'Up Avoiding' goods only line which originally ran from Bayston Hill signal box to the south (now closed). The Up direction is towards Shrewsbury for the Cambrian and Hereford lines,<ref group="note">Up is the direction towards the principal terminus, which in the case of the S&H was Shrewsbury.</ref> whilst Up was to the south on the Severn Valley line.

Sutton Bridge Junction Signal Box ==Construction and design==The present box was built in 1913 to replace earlier signalling installations at the junction, and is a still open signal box on Network Rail located approximately 2/3 built to conventional GW style of a mile south the time all in brick. However, because of Shrewsbury station, which controls Sutton Bridge Junction, and originally its location in connection with the Severn Valley's junction with line, it has full height windows on the operating floor around the whole northern end, an amendment to the mainline at Shrewsburystandard design. It still controls the junction between Originally, it had nameplates mounted both front and rear facing the Shrewsbury & Hereford line and Severn Valley lines respectively, but the Cambrian line to Machynlleth, Aberystwyth rearmost one has at some point been removed and Pwllheli, and access to Coleham yardits whereabouts is unknown. It also has an Up goods loopIn the main picture (right), which is the truncated somewhat unusual choice of acronym of 'Up AvoidingSUB' goods only line which originally ran from Bayston Hill signal box to the south (now closedfor '''SU'''tton '''B'''ridge Junction). The Up direction is towards Shrewsbury for can be seen underneath the nameplate; the Cambrian and Hereford lines, whilst Up was more logical 'SBJ' having been applied to the south on the nearby Severn Valley lineBridge Junction.<ref>[https://www.roscalen.com/signals/Shrewsbury/SuttonBridge. htm Adrian the Rock, Signals at Sutton Bridge Junction]</ref>

The box was built in 1913 to replace earlier signalling installations at the junction, and is built to conventional GW style of the time all in brick, although because of its location in connection with the Severn Valley line it has full height windows on the operating floor around the whole northern end. Originally, it had a nameplate mounted on both the front and rear, to allow it to be identified from all lines, but the one on the rear's whereabouts is currently unknown. It Box has a standard GW design 61 lever 3-bar vertical tappet frame which is , original to the box and is therefore from the date of the same vintageconstruction. Three of the levers retain brass lever leads (the plate indicating the lever's purpose and what levers must be reversed to enable it to be worked), whilst the others all have the later rectangular traffolite 'Traffolyte' style. <ref group="note">Traffolyte, sometimes spelled Traffolite, was the brand name and later generic term for a type of multi-layered plastic suitable for engraving.</ref> Interestingly, the original lever leads related to the Severn Valley line referred to 'To' or 'From' Worcester, for example 'From Worcester Safety' for a lever which worked a trap point for any runaway train coming from Berrington.

==Location==The box is built on the eastern side of the Shrewsbury & Hereford line (sometimes in conjunction with the Hereford and Newport referred to as the North & West), and originally . Originally the SVR joined this line immediately to the north of the box, coming Severn Valley Branch came in from the southeast. The junction and where the line passed under a road bridge can still be readily seen. Until 1988, a stub of passing behind the Severn Valley line remained in use, providing via a reverse move access box to join the site S&H line immediately north of Shrewsbury Abbey station (Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway), which remained in use as a fuel terminalit.

In The box is situated just north of an angled road bridge which allows two roads to cross over the 1960s present and former railway lines. The junction and route by which the Shrewsbury & Hereford line came Severn Valley Branch passed under the control of road bridge can still be readily seen. Three lines ran behind the London Midland Region (LMR) of British Railways as far south as Craven Armsbox, meaning two forming the GWR design box Severn Valley Branch itself and frame underwent some notable changesa third leading to the station's three road carriage shed. It now has standard BR bakelite block instrumentsThe Severn Valley Branch became single track at the far end of the carriage shed. Until 1988, a LMR style block shelf - which bears LMR style lamp and arm indicators and stub of the modern diagram - and electric lock releases actuated by catch handles on most electrically locked leversSevern Valley line remained in use, rather than providing via a reverse move access to the GWR/BRsite of Shrewsbury Abbey station (WShropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway) style block shelf plunger, which remained in use as a fuel terminal. Today the route of the Branch south of the road bridge is now occupied by a housing estate.

<gallery mode=packed heights=300px style="text-align:left">OS_Sutton_Bridge_Junction_1927.jpg|1927 OS map showing the area south of the Box which is immediately north of the road bridge. South of the bridge the S&H and Cambrian lines diverge to the south west while the Severn Valley Branch and Carriage Shed lines turn to the south east.OS_Coleham_Yard_1927.jpg|1927 OS map showing the area north of the Box including Coleham Yard with its engine shed and turntable.</gallery> <gallery mode=packed heights=300px style="text-align:left">Sutton_Bridge_Junction_Signal_Box_Rear_20210507.jpg|The rear of the Box seen from the road bridge looking north. The concrete walking route roughly follows the line the SVR would have taken in its divergence from the main line. Shrewsbury station is approximately 2/3 of a mile northwards, to the left of this picture as the mainline takes a leftward curve.Sutton_Bridge_Junction_Signal_South_20210507.jpg|A view from the road bridge looking south. The Cambrian line branches to the right while the S&H line continues straight ahead.Sutton Bridge Junction SVR View.JPG|This view is taken from the trackbed of the SVR. The signal box is on the right, and the line passed under the central arch of the bridge. It can be seen that significant earthworks have been put up inside the arch and beyond, which is totally built over.</gallery> In the 1960s the Shrewsbury & Hereford line came under the control of the London Midland Region (LMR) of British Railways as far south as Craven Arms, meaning the GWR design box and frame have since then undergone some notable changes. It now has standard BR bakelite block instruments, a LMR style block shelf - which bears LMR style lamp and arm indicators and the modern diagram - and electric lock releases actuated by catch handles on most electrically locked levers, rather than the GWR/BR(W) style block shelf plungers. Most of the test date stickers on the instruments and indicators date from 1966 suggesting the replacement of the shelf and equipment thereon occurred in 1966 or 1967. <gallery mode=packed heights=300px style="text-align:left">Sutton Bridge Junction Interior.JPG|An interior view of Sutton Bridge Junction Signal Box. Many of the white levers once controlled access to and from the SVR.</gallery> The layout of the junction and access to Coleham Yard and other ancillary sidings and loops has over time been extensively remodelled since the late 1960s/70s which has caused many levers to be taken out of or change use. This means for example that lever 5, which was originally the inner home signal reading off the Severn Valley line, is now the Up starting signal and therefore in continuous use. The box was thoroughly measured in the 1980s by an SVR volunteer to ensure accuracy in the plans for [[Kidderminster_Station_signal_box_(1987_onwards)|Kidderminster Station signal box]]. Current published plans indicate the box will be closed in 2025 with its area of control passed to Cardiff Rail Operating Centre (ROC), although it remains to be seen if this target will be achieved.

As part of The box works to Absolute Block regulations to the significant redesign of the layout at Sutton north and south, working to Severn Bridge, many of the original GWR/BR(W) design signals were replaced with standard BR(LMR) upper quadrant signals, unusually resulting in a GWR box controlling LMS style signals. The Up inner home on Junction to the Cambrian branch north and Dorrington to the Down home bracket remain GWR/BR(W) lower quadrant design however. On the lattersouth, the space can be made and Marshbrook when Dorrington is switched out that originally controlled the junction onto the Severn Valley line. The box also controls colour light signals in It works to Machynlleth Signalling Centre under Track Circuit Block regulations as far as the form commencement of its Up distant signals Cab signalling board on both the Hereford and Cambrian lines, and beyond which the Up home in-cab signalling system European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) comes into effect. Controls on the Hereford line is a 3-position colour light, which only shows green when the Up inner home communication between Sutton Bridge and starting signals Machynlleth are clearedmounted on the diagram. It will show Unusually for a yellow when reversedbox of its size, only once the home berth track circuit immediately in rear of it Sutton Bridge Junction has occupied, effectively checking the train down capacity to a low speed in accordance with what was (switch out and still is does so on the SVR) Rule 39(a)daily basis, causing Severn Bridge to work to Dorrington or Marshbrook.

The box works to Absolute Block regulations to the north and south, working to Severn Bridge Junction to the north and Dorrington to the south (and Marshbrook when Dorrington is switched out). It works to Machynlleth Signalling Centre under Track Circuit Block regulations as far as the commencement of Cab signalling board on the Cambrian, beyond which the in-cab signalling system European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) comes into effect. Controls on communication between Sutton Bridge and Machynlleth are mounted on the diagram. Unusually for a box of its size, Sutton Bridge Junction has the capacity to switch out and does so on a daily basis. Originally the box worked by Absolute Block to the now closed Coleham and Bayston Hill boxes to the north and south respectively, to Hookagate signal box towards Machynlleth, and to Burnt Mill Junction box on the Severn Valley Line, all by absolute block. HoweverAll of those boxes have now closed, this box closed Burnt Mill in 1937 resulting in Electric Train Token working from Sutton Bridge to Berrington, Coleham and Bayston Hill boxes in the 1960s, and communication Hookagate in the 1980s when Electric Train Token was introduced between Sutton Bridge and Welshpool. This then by gave way to Radio Electric Train Token Block on the Cambrian line, managed from Machynlleth Signal Box, which in turn gave way to Berrington signal boxthe current ERTMS.

* ==References==<references/> ==Links==  [[List of signal boxesCategory:Featured articles]]