Banbury railway station: fog, semaphore signals and trainspotters

[davesgcr]

Coming out of the woodwork now , arent we.?

Check out John Hinsons site on mechanical signalboxes , historical development and so on - www.signalbox.org (I think)

(something very logical in operation , and very pleasing aesthetically in "proper" signalling. One of the best times of my life from a work perspective was learning signalling operations in the winter of 1979/80 in the BR Cardiff Division - it was really busy before Xmas with lots of extra coal and parcels trains to places like Pontypridd (!) - if I had a time machine , I would go back to a cosy and busy late turn at Walnut Tree Junction , Taffs Well in a flash - 64 levers , 2 branches to regulate , a 15 min passenger service and lots of freight trains - we didnt stop from 1600 - 2000 hrs was pulling levers and responding to bell signals almost continually.

 

[Crispy]

how the hell are you supposed to read that?

 

[_pH_]

how the hell are you supposed to read that?

The top lot repeat the bottom lot. The ones in the middle with the round bits on the signal arms are probably shunting signals. Then on the left there's a stop signal and a distant for the main route and a diverging route to the left and one to the right (the stepped signals). Same on the right hand side. Then there's 2 stop signals on the far right.

Something like that anyway.

 

[davesgcr]

Read the bottom ones - top ones are repeaters for distance sighting

"top to bottom , left to right" - count across accordingly (highest arm for the main / principal route) - 4 rights of way there (though a half bottle of red wine may impair slightly) - there are both right and left routes of the main route on at least 4 of the main arms.

Extreme case - you can see how how colour light signalling made things so much easier in locations like this !

 

[bi0boy]

I'm wondering what advantages semaphores have over lights (if any).

 

[editor]

I'm wondering what advantages semaphores have over lights (if any).

They look and sound w3ll k3w1.

 

[davesgcr]

Semaphores = mechanical linkages , long wire / rodding runs to work them (very hard to pull one off in cold weather , wires expand in hot weather , take a fair bit of looking after. - but simple and fairly cheap in first cost) Long lasting , elegant. Need seperate lighting system for the signal shades - often oil lamps ! Distance from controlling signal box 400 yards max , so lots of boxes in busy areas.

Colour lights = much greater visibility in the dark , little maintenance once installed and cable run out , train detection through track circuits / axle counters.

We have a superb , restored mechanical SB at St Albans - open to visitors - well worth a trip out on open days.

 

[bi0boy]

Reading. They're adding platforms, swapping lines round and all sorts.

Some well massive bridge moving equipment being used: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-12102741

 

[BlueSquareThing]

Got down to Somerleyton today - 3 semaphores (one going the other way) *and* the swing bridge over the Yare at the back.



Need to get back in weather that's less shit really to get some decent stuff.

 

[Crispy]

A rail swing bridge?! Neat!

 

[BlueSquareThing]

A rail swing bridge?! Neat!

I think it's broken still - iirc one of the swinging bits broke and they've been arsing around failing to fix it for a while - the red flag that's in the sunny shot was still there today. I *think* you can illegally walk down the side of the track and get pretty close to it - there's a well worn path anyway. I'll be checking the timetable first mind...

 

[Crispy]

God Norfolk's flat

 

[moose]

One of the best times of my life from a work perspective was learning signalling operations in the winter of 1979/80 in the BR Cardiff Division - it was really busy before Xmas with lots of extra coal and parcels trains to places like Pontypridd (!) - if I had a time machine , I would go back to a cosy and busy late turn at Walnut Tree Junction , Taffs Well in a flash - 64 levers , 2 branches to regulate , a 15 min passenger service and lots of freight trains - we didnt stop from 1600 - 2000 hrs was pulling levers and responding to bell signals almost continually.

I think I love you

 

[Isambard]

FABULOUS THREAD!

 

[BlueSquareThing]

To resurrect this thread for a moment, simply to add that it looks like that swing bridge at Somerleyton is now fixed and working - was down there in shirt sleeves yesterday for lunch and a walk and, well...