Lines where semaphore signals are still used

[Peter C]

IIRC some of the semaphores on the Cotswold line were only installed around ten years ago, when sections of the route were redoubled.

I want to say that this one on the left-hand side of the picture (taken 2016) was probably installed at Moreton-in-Marsh in 2011 when the line between there and Evesham was redoubled?

IMG 1527 | Signalling Photos

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photos.signalling.org

Copyright Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND)
Author Danny Scroggins

Compared with this photo from 2009, it certainly looks like it is a relatively recent addition:

S7304719 | Signalling Photos

S7304719 - S7304719.JPG

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Copyright Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND)
Author Edward

Reminds me of the new semaphore signals (since removed) which were installed at Banbury some time in the 2010s I believe?
Ascott-under-Wychwood lost its semaphores in the 2011 redoubling, but the signal box retains some of the old absolute block signalling system, in order to interface with Moreton 'box, which is still wonderfully quaint and analogue!

-Peter

 

[MarkyT]

Are there still semaphores at Hastings?

Yes, an impressive collection, along with some at the next box to the west, Bo Peep Junction. The layout at Ore to the east is all colour light signalled, fully track circuited and equipped with electrical point machines, but controlled by mechanical levers at Hastings signal box, using frame space liberated when the Hastings station layout was simplified.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Just to point out that the Marches and Chester Lines are by majority in England not Wales. Gobowen to Pontrilas including the biggest box in the world at Shrewsbury are all in England.

When did they move Gobowen over the border?

 

[8A Rail]

On the whole network there are hundreds of boxes with lever frames, some of which don't operate semaphore signals (Like the Stockport 5), or just small semaphore shunt discs (Like St Helens). Not sure what you class as "mainline" but off the top of my head I can think of the following locations:

In England:

• Glazebrook East on the Liverpool - Manchester Line

So there is no misunderstanding, that is located on Cheshire Committee Lines (CLC) route between those two locations and not to get confused with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (LMR) line which operates from Liverpool via Rainhill - Newton le Wiilows - Chat Moss to Manchester.

 

[merry]

Also Robin Hood line (Whitwell to Shirebrook), some nearly new motor-worked semaphores approaching Whitwell.
There are still mechanical boxes on the Sheffield-Worksop line, but mostly colour lights.

 

[Western 52]

On the whole network there are hundreds of boxes with lever frames, some of which don't operate semaphore signals (Like the Stockport 5), or just small semaphore shunt discs (Like St Helens). Not sure what you class as "mainline" but off the top of my head I can think of the following locations:

In England:

• The Tyne Valley Line (Blaydon to Corby Gates)
• The Cumbrian Coast (Wigton to Barrow-in-Furness)
• The Furness Line (Barrow-in-Furness to Carnforth Station Junction)
• The Bentham Line (Carnforth Station Junction to Settle Junction)
• The Settle to Carlisle (Howe & Co's Sidings - Hellifield South Junction)
• Bishop Auckland Branch at Shildon
• Windermere Branch at Burnside Higher
• Barton-upon-Humber branch at Barrow Road, Oxmarsh Crossing and Goxhill
• Skegness Line (Sleaford - Skegness) excluding Thorpe Culvert, Sibsey and Sleaford East
• Cornish Main Line (Lisekard to Penzance)
• Parbold on the Wigan to Southport Line
• Midge Hall on the Preston to Ormskirk line
• Rainford Junction on the Wigan to Kirby Line
• Ellesmere Port to Helsby
• Plumly West on the Stockport to Chester route
• Horrocksford Junction on the Clitheroe Line
• St Helens on the Liverpool to Wigan Line
• Ryde St Johns on the Isle of Wight
• Bopeep Junction and Hastings
• Worcester and Droitwitch Spa
• The Cotswolds Line at Moreton in Marsh and Norton Junction
• The Malvern Line (Henwick to Hereford)
• The Derby to Stoke Line (Eggington Junction - Caverswall Crossing)
• Parts of the Scarborough to York Line
• Gristhorpe on the Hull to Scarborough line
• The Harrogate Line (Poppleton to Harrogate)
• The Whitby Branch at Nunthorpe
• The Warrington Low Level Line (Fiddlers Ferry - Arpley Junction)
• The Peak Forest Area (Great Rocks Jct & Peak Forest South)
• The Buxton Line (Buxton - Furness Vale)
• Glazebrook East on the Liverpool - Manchester Line

In Scotland:

• The Stranraer Line (Kilkerran - Stranraer)
• The Dumfries Line (Annan - Kilmarnock)
• West Highland Line at the Pass of Brader (stone signals) and Fort William Junction
• Cupar to Tay Bridge South
• Stirling to Perth
• Dundee to Aberdeen (exclusive)
• Aberdeen to Keith Junction
• Perth to Aviemore (excluding Dunkeld)

In Wales:

• The Conwy Valley Line at Llanwrst
• Deganwy and Llandudno Station
• The North Wales Coast from Penmaenmawr to Holyhead
• The Borderlands Line at Penyfford and Dee Marsh Junction
• The Welsh Marshes Line between Gobowen North and Little Mill Junction
• The Maesteg Branch at Tondu
• Ferryside on the South Wales Main Line

I do appologise for the long post but I do hope that you find it somewhat informative!

Also Pembrey and Pantyffynnon in west Wales. Tondu and Park Junction too I think.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Also Pembrey and Pantyffynnon in west Wales. Tondu and Park Junction too I think.

Tondu does indeed retain semaphores

 

[Western 52]

Tondu does indeed retain semaphores

Possibly also a couple still at Neath and Brecon Junction?

 

[tomuk]

When did they move Gobowen over the border?

The border is the river Ceiriog at Chirk and has been since probably the 1500s when the marcher lordships were abolished.

 

[pdeaves]

I think the nearest to your part of the world is at Greenford - clearly visible from the platform - or has it fallen victim to HS2 construction work?

Still present. For various reasons, it's always ended up in the 'too difficult' bucket to replace them. One day, but not yet!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Presume Crewe to Shrewsbury is no longer semaphore-signalled?

 

[Sun Chariot]

I think both Bognor Regis and Littlehampton stations are still bastions of semaphore signalling.

You're absolutely right and those fabulous gantries appear on YouTube videos of 29-April's class 313 farewell tour "The Sussex Rambler". I really must get a few photos of those delightful semaphores

 

[Western 52]

Presume Crewe to Shrewsbury is no longer semaphore-signalled?

No it isn't, apart from Shrewsbury itself.

 

[tomuk]

Presume Crewe to Shrewsbury is no longer semaphore-signalled?

No it was all replaced by Siemens Modular signalling. Shrewsbury itself was not resignalled.
Here is the Siemens press release

Siemens Rail Automation Commissions Crewe to Shrewsbury Modular Signalling Scheme

Over the weekend of 12 – 14 October, Siemens Rail Automation successfully commissioned the Crewe to Shrewsbury Modular Signalling Pilot Programme, with control of the line now being undertaken from Network Rail’s Regional Operating Control Centre in Cardiff.

news.siemens.co.uk

 

[Watershed]

Lugton

I believe this has been abolished as part of electrification work to Barrhill, if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Railsigns]

I believe this has been abolished as part of electrification work to Barrhill [Barrhead], if I'm not mistaken?

No, it's still open.

 

[Whistler40145]

Are there any Semaphore Signals between Clitheroe and Hellifield?

 

[Llanigraham]

In Wales:

• The Conwy Valley Line at Llanwrst
• Deganwy and Llandudno Station
• The North Wales Coast from Penmaenmawr to Holyhead
• The Borderlands Line at Penyfford and Dee Marsh Junction
• The Welsh Marshes Line between Gobowen North and Little Mill Junction ABERGAVENNY
• The Maesteg Branch at Tondu
• Ferryside on the South Wales Main Line

I do appologise for the long post but I do hope that you find it somewhat informative!

See correction above.
Boxes controlling semaphores on the Marches:
Abergavenny
Pontrilas
Little Mill
Hereford
Moreton on Lugg
Leominster
Woofferton Junc
Bromfield
(Onibury all colour light)
Craven Arms
Marshbrook
Dorrington
Sutton Bridge
Severn Bridge
plus the other 2 Shrewsbury boxes

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Marches Line from Abergavenny to Shrewsbury.

And at Gobowen, with some on the Borders line, on the coast west of Conwy, and Deganwy/Llandudno.
Beeston Castle, Northenden, Plumley West (I think).

 

[apinnard]

Plenty of Semaphores in Scotland, Stranraer line south of Ayr, several locations on the Highland Main Line.

Don’t forget “Anderson’s Piano.”

Up and down home and sectional signals at Manea are in with a shout (the distants are colour light.) Whittlesea also.

Unless that’s all changed now. @dk1 should be able to confirm.

King’s Dyke is lever controlled but all colour light. Lovely little box that.

 

[NI 271]

Are there any Semaphore Signals between Clitheroe and Hellifield?

There are no signals of any type between Horrocksford Junction and Hellifield. It's one long section.

 

[MadMac]

No, it's still open.

One other Scottish location is Grangemouth, with numerous semaphores under the wires.

 

[Railsigns]

One other Scottish location is Grangemouth, with numerous semaphores under the wires.

One that's easily overlooked is the full-size semaphore arm at Annbank ground frame, between Mauchline and Newton-on-Ayr.

 

[snowball]

When did they move Gobowen over the border?

Further to @tomuk's historical reply, a crow flying from Chester to Welshpool (a direction slightly west of south, roughly following the A483) crosses the border three times. Gobowen and Oswestry come between the second and third so are in England.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Further to @tomuk's historical reply, a crow flying from Chester to Welshpool (a direction slightly west of south, roughly following the A483) crosses the border three times. Gobowen and Oswestry come between the second and third so are in England.

Had it in my head it was on our side of the border. No idea why

 

[midland1]

Much of the Syston to Peterborough including a Midland Railway one at Ketton.

 

[Killingworth]

Hope Valley line

 

[Mgameing123]

Greenford has some from what I know.

 

[Lucy1501]

Are there any Semaphore Signals between Clitheroe and Hellifield?

Horrocksford Junction just North of Clitheroe Station controls 3 semaphore signals - signal 1 (shunt disc) which reads from the Up Main to Down Sidings, and signal 4a and 4b (selected by the lie of the points) which read from the Down Siding (minature arm) or Down Main (shunt disc) to Up Main. The rest of the signals are all colour lights.

All three of the signals can be seen from the overbridge on Pimlico Road.

 

[Steveswan10]

See correction above.
Boxes controlling semaphores on the Marches:
Abergavenny
Pontrilas
Little Mill
Hereford
Moreton on Lugg
Leominster
Woofferton Junc
Bromfield
(Onibury all colour light)
Craven Arms
Marshbrook
Dorrington
Sutton Bridge
Severn Bridge
plus the other 2 Shrewsbury boxes

Moreton on Lugg is now colour light signal (was resignalled back in October last year) as I understand it, The down Main set of semaphores at Bromfield are to be replaced next.....not sure when though