Signalboxes

1st January 1985

Since my initial interest in railways from the age of about 5, one sphere of operation that I have always held in fond regard is that of signalling, or at least 'proper' signalling from a manually operated box with levers connected to wires and pulleys and maybe with a huge wheel to operate the crossing gates. I am no fan of the soulless Signalling Control Centres that control hundreds of route miles from a featureless, nondescript building, with unlucky signallers (no longer signalmen), glued to monitors. They no longer witness the flashing, passing taillamp to confirm train complete, or the cheery drivers wave as he passes by early, having been given an advantageous path.
Moving to Bognor Regis in 1976, I have early memories of the former Southern Railway signalbox guarding the level crossing with its wooden gates at the north end of the station. The crossing only survived a few more months before being replaced by a road bridge, but I can remember standing on the footbridge overlooking the old crossing site, jotting the numbers down of 4-CIG, 4-BIG, 4-CEP and 4-VEP units. Early warning of their approach came in the form of activity in the 'box and the pulling 'off' of nearby signals.
With family in Radlett, frequent excursions from St Pancras were the norm. In seventies the Midlands former line out of London was a delight, before the routes electrification saw the removal of traditional signalling methods, and the destruction of many of the stations. Radlett was a gem. Lofty semaphore signals were everywhere, with the quaint Midland 'box to the north of the station overseeing all activity. Sadly I have no photos of Radlett station and 'box in their final years, only memories that fade a little more each year.
I present this compilation of signalbox images as a tribute to the art and skill of mechanical signalling!
Please note that my early photographic equipment comprised of a Kodak Disc Camera, and later a basic 126 roll film camera. Please excuse the poor quality of some of my earliest photos.

Abbey Foregate Signalbox Shrewsbury 2008 Buy Print	Aberthaw Signalbox 2006 Buy Print	Acton Canal Wharf Signalbox 1994 Buy Print	Acton Wells Junction Signalbox April 1994 Buy Print
Ancaster Signalbox 1992 Buy Print	Appleby North Signalbox (view 1) 1991 Buy Print	Appleby North Signalbox (view 2) 1991 Buy Print	Aylesbury South Signalbox 1989 Buy Print
Bamford Signalbox 1988 Buy Print	Banbury South Signalbox 1990 Buy Print	Bargoed Signalbox 2006 Buy Print	Barkston East Junction Signalbox 1992 Buy Print
Barnetby East Signalbox (view 2) 1992 Buy Print	Barnetby East Signalbox (view 1) 1989 Buy Print	Barnham Signalbox (view 1) 1986 Buy Print	Barnham Signalbox (view 2) 1993 Buy Print
Barnstaple Town Signalbox 1990 Buy Print	Barry Signalbox (view 1) 2006 Buy Print	Barry Signalbox (view 2) 2006 Buy Print	Bedale Signalbox 1992 Buy Print
Bellwater Junction Signalbox 1992 Buy Print	Bestwood Park Signalbox 1990 Buy Print	Bingley Signalbox 1992 Buy Print	Blackpool North No.2 Signalbox 1992 Buy Print
Blea Moor Signalbox (view 1) 1990 Buy Print	Bognor Regis Signalbox 2007 view 1 Buy Print	Bognor Regis Signalbox 2007 view 2 Buy Print	Bopeep Junction Signalbox 1986 Buy Print
Bransty Signalbox 1993 Buy Print	Broad Street No.2 Signalbox - Final Day - 27 June 1986 Buy Print	Brundall Junction Signalbox (view 1) Buy Print	Brundall Junction Signalbox (view 2) Buy Print
Carmarthen Junction Signalbox (view 1) 2006 Buy Print	Carmarthen Junction Signalbox (view 2) 2006 Buy Print	Cattal Signalbox 2006 Buy Print	Clacton Signalbox 1994 Buy Print