Difference between revisions of "Highley signal box"

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Highley Signal Box (HY) is an original McKenzie and Holland Type 3 signal box, built in 1883. It is situated opposite [[Highley|Highley station]].
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[[File:Highley_Signal_Box_20170618.jpg |thumb|300px|right| Highley Signal Box]]
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'''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]].
  
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== Operation and Equipment ==
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== History ==
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[[File: Mile_Post_2.jpg |thumb|150px|right|Milepost at Highley Signal Box]]
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A [[Gradient profile and mileages#Milepost|milepost]] is situated at the foot of Highley signal box, showing that the location is exactly 143&frac14; miles from Paddington. The flat area of land which the box occupies was formerly the site of a stone quarry for which a [[Stone quarry siding opposite Highley Station|private siding]] was provided in 1880 but which closed within a year. In August 1882 the GWR Board approved the provision of additional sidings and the signal box, which were commissioned on 25 June 1883.<ref name=JM>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 99.</ref>
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<ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9">Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref> The box has not changed significantly since that time, with the exception of modifications to the interlocking of the lever frame.
  
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=== Lever Frame ===
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The box previously controlled access to Highley's [[Collieries served by the Severn Valley Railway#Highley Colliery|colliery exchange sidings]] where [[The Engine House]] now stands. Two ground frames were commissioned on 30 January 1939 in the section to Hampton Loade, allowing access to [[Alveley Sidings]], namely [[Alveley Sidings (South) ground frame|Alveley Sidings (South)]] and [[Alveley Sidings (North) ground frame|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.
  
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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.
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The box was closed by BR in 1969 with the ending of coal traffic from Alveley. BR were already aware of the SVR's intention to take 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 2 March 1974<ref>SVR News 31</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 April 1976.
  
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=== Block Sections ===
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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]].
  
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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]] (AY, short section) or [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] (BN, long section). The HY-BN long section token unlocks Arley as a ground frame, allowing for access to the yard when that box is switched out. In the Down direction, the section is to [[Hampton Loade signal box|Hampton Loade]] (HL, short section) or [[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] (BH, long section). The HY-BH long section token unlocks a 2-lever ground frame at Eardington, allowing access to the siding located there.
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== Operation and equipment ==
 +
 
 +
=== Lever 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" />
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<gallery>
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File:Highley box interior 2.jpg | Interlocking mechanism
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File:Highley box interior 1.jpg | Point rodding and bell cranks
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</gallery>
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=== Block sections ===
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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.
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=== Signalling diagram ===
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[[File:HYDiagram.jpg|400px|thumb|none|The diagram in Highley signal box]]
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[[File:Highley box diagram.gif|800px|thumb|none|Diagram from the SVR Unofficial S&T Department website]]
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Note there are inaccuracies in both diagrams: the original diagram is missing the siding behind the signal box, and the S&T website diagram shows number 7 signal as a red disc, when it has been replaced by a yellow one.
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 +
==Signalling controlled from the box==
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The down starting signal is a rare GWR concrete post signal, as used fairly extensively on the Cambrian Coast line, and the down fixed distant is a standard GWR wooden post design, otherwise all signals are of late GWR/BR(W) steel tubular post and enamel arm design.
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== Levers & lever frames ==
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{| class="wikitable"
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! style="text-align:left;" | No. !! style="text-align:left;" | Colour !! style="text-align:left;" | Description !! style="text-align:left;" | Lever Sequence
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|-
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| 1 || White || Spare ||
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|-
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| 2 || Red || Up Main Home || 4
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|-
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| 3 || Red with white band || Up Main Starting ||
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|-
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| 4 || Blue || FPL for 5 ||
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|-
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| 5 || Black || Up Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding ||
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|-
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| 6 || White || Spare ||
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|-
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| 7 || Red with white band || Down Disc for 5 || 5
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|-
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| 8 || Red with white band || Up Disc for 10 || 10
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|-
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| 9 || White || Spare ||
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|-
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| 10 || Black || Down Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding || Nil or 11
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|-
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| 11 || Blue || FPL to 10 || Nil or 10
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|-
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| 12 || Red with white stripe || Down Main Starting ||
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|-
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| 13 || Red || Down Main Home || 11
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|-
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| 14 || Red || Down Disc to No. 1 Siding Home || 10 11
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|}
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== See also ==
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*[[List of signal boxes]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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<references/>
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* "Hampton Loade". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&T Department (unofficial) website. [http://www.svrsig.org/svr/Frame7.htm Link]. Accessed 05/01/2015.
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* "Highley". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&T Department (unofficial) website. [http://www.svrsig.org/svr/Frame6.htm Link]. Accessed 05/01/2015.
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* Minnis, John (2012). "Railway Signal Boxes, a Review". English Heritage Research Report Series no. 28-2012. [http://services.english-heritage.org.uk/ResearchReportsPdfs/028-2012WEB.pdf Link]. Accessed 05/01/2015.
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* Waugh, Andrew. "McKenzie & Holland 1873 Patent Frames". [http://www.highleystation.co.uk/frame.pdf Link]. Accessed 05/01/2015.
  
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* Minnis, John (2012). "Railway Signal Boxes, a Review". English Heritage Research Report Series no. 28-2012. [http://services.english-heritage.org.uk/ResearchReportsPdfs/028-2012WEB.pdf Link]
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[[Category:Featured articles]]
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* Waugh, Andrew. "McKenzie & Holland 1873 Patent Frames". [http://www.highleystation.co.uk/frame.pdf Link]
 

Revision as of 22:22, 5 October 2020

Highley Signal Box

Highley Signal Box (HY) is an original McKenzie and Holland Type 3The British Railways classification for diesel locomotives of 1500 bhp to 1999 bhp signal box, built in 1883. It is situated opposite Highley station. It works to Hampton Loade and Arley on short section working, and to Bridgnorth and Bewdley North on the long sections using ETT regulations.

History

Milepost at Highley Signal Box

A milepost is situated at the foot of Highley signal box, showing that the location is exactly 143¼ miles from Paddington. The flat area of land which the box occupies was formerly the site of a stone quarry for which a private siding was provided in 1880 but which closed within a year. In August 1882 the GWRGreat Western Railway Board approved the provision of additional sidings and the signal box, which were commissioned on 25 June 1883.[1] [2] The box has not changed significantly since that time, with the exception of modifications to the interlocking of the lever frame.

The box previously controlled access to Highley's colliery exchange sidings where The Engine House now stands. Two ground frames were commissioned on 30 January 1939 in the section to Hampton Loade, allowing access to Alveley Sidings, namely Alveley Sidings (South) and 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 BRBritish Rail or British Railways in 1969 with the ending of coal traffic from Alveley. BRBritish Rail or British Railways were already aware of the SVRSevern Valley Railway's intention to take on the southern section of the line, so in December 1972 the SVRSevern Valley Railway acquired "...a virtually intact and working box together with all the original signals and associated track and point work".[3] The outside of the box was repainted in traditional GWRGreat Western Railway colours, while Arley’s BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. Geens carried out a meticulous restoration of the wood and brass work on the block instrument shelf.[3] The box was brought back into use on 2 March 1974[4] with the commissioning of ETTElectric Train Token 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 ETTElectric Train Token working. Long section working to Bridgnorth was brought into use in 1975, and ETTElectric Train Token working to Arley and Bewdley North was commissioned on 10 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

Lever 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 GWRGreat Western Railway 5-bar vertical tappet interlocking in 1947. [2]

  • Interlocking mechanism

  • Point rodding and bell cranks

Block 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 UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) direction, Highley works to either Arley (short section), or 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 DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) direction, the section is to Hampton Loade (short section), or 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.

Signalling diagram

The diagram in Highley signal box
Diagram from the SVRSevern Valley Railway Unofficial S&TSignals & Telegraph Department website

Note there are inaccuracies in both diagrams: the original diagram is missing the siding behind the signal box, and the S&TSignals & Telegraph website diagram shows number 7 signal as a red disc, when it has been replaced by a yellow one.

Signalling controlled from the box

The down starting signal is a rare GWRGreat Western Railway concrete post signal, as used fairly extensively on the Cambrian Coast line, and the down fixed distant is a standard GWRGreat Western Railway wooden post design, otherwise all signals are of late GWRGreat Western Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways(W) steel tubular post and enamel arm design.

Levers & lever frames

No. Colour Description Lever Sequence
1 White Spare
2 Red UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Home 4
3 Red with white band UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Starting
4 Blue FPLFacing Point Lock, equipment that physically locks points so that they cannot move. for 5
5 Black UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding
6 White Spare
7 Red with white band DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Disc for 5 5
8 Red with white band UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Disc for 10 10
9 White Spare
10 Black DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main Facing / To No. 1 Siding Nil or 11
11 Blue FPLFacing Point Lock, equipment that physically locks points so that they cannot move. to 10 Nil or 10
12 Red with white stripe DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main Starting
13 Red DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Main Home 11
14 Red DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) Disc to No. 1 Siding Home 10 11

See also

References

  1. ↑ Marshall (1989) p. 99.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 29
  4. ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 31
  • "Hampton Loade". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&TSignals & Telegraph Department (unofficial) website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
  • "Highley". Signal box profile on the Severn Valley Railway S&TSignals & Telegraph Department (unofficial) website. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
  • Minnis, John (2012). "Railway Signal Boxes, a Review". English Heritage Research Report Series no. 28-2012. Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
  • Waugh, Andrew. "McKenzie & Holland 1873 Patent Frames". Link. Accessed 05/01/2015.
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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Eardington is situated on Eardington Bank, mid-way between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. In recent years, rebuilding the platform was completed in 2019 and the water tower was dismantled in 2021. Although the station no longer features in daily operations, it resumed use during gala events in 2023 more than 40 years since regular timetabled trains ceased. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks2.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


Query Corner

Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

In addition are a number of stub articles requiring further input.

Adding to this Wiki

This site, or "wiki", is a collaborative effort, and anyone who has any knowledge relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway should feel free to contribute. Once you have created a user account and logged in, you can modify any page by clicking the "Edit" button in the top right hand corner. For some tips on how to format pages, and some guidelines on how to make this wiki accessible can be found on Tips for contributing to the SVR Wiki.

Alternatively, if you don't feel confident editing this Wiki (although there is no reason you shouldn't!!), each article also has a "Discussion" page, which can be accessed by clicking the relevant button in the top left hand corner. This allows you to make additions, suggestions, or corrections to a page without making any change to the article itself.


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