Longest surviving redundant signal structures

[Sun Chariot]

Where is it exactly? I don't recall seeing any semaphores at Newhaven since resignalling. I know there is a rusty post just north of Newhaven Town which I believe was a colour light many moons ago

It used to be sited adjacent to what I think was Newhaven Town + Marine signal box. Its purpose was to protect the junction from traffic leaving the Marine spur toward Town.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

If it was on a bracket, and is between Newhaven Harbour and Newhaven Town on the "up" side (towards Lewes), that used to be CCO37 signal from memory. The semaphore was taken down when an IFS panel was installed in Town signal box in (2015?)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2025 ==

It used to be sited adjacent to what I think was Newhaven Town + Marine signal box. Its purpose was to protect the junction from traffic leaving the Marine spur toward Town.

If it was at the end of the Marine platform, that was NH35 semaphore. Is it really still there!???

 

[Sun Chariot]

If it was at the end of the Marine platform, that was NH35 semaphore. Is it really still there!???

Not to my knowledge. April 29th 2023, Branch Line Society's "Class 313 Farewell" tour used the erstwhile Marine spur and the semaphore was not evident.

 

[androdas]

There is still a signal post and 3 aspect head (Off railway land and not connected) just north of Killingworth level crossing in the what is now woodland. It was the exit signal for the old Weetslade Colliery exchange sidings and it can be seen if you walk on the footpath north from the crossing. The colliery closed in 1960s but was used as a washing plant until 1980ish.

Edit: its 2 aspect and can be seen on google streetview here in 2023 probably 45 years since it last signalled a train! https://maps.app.goo.gl/BLqRFAzHNhZrhw3VA

 

[satisnek]

Back in the 2000s the old distant signal posts at Berwick and Polegate remained, having been replaced by colour light distants further out, and the junction signal structure for the erstwhile Stone Cross Junction survived. I'm not sure if they're still there now, bearing in mind that the line has been resignalled since then.

 

[TheHovisKid]

Is the signal for coming off the Longridge branch in Preston still there? The bushes have expanded....

 

[starlight73]

There's a fairly well known one in urban Weymouth, on the abandoned connection to the quayside. It has indeed been explained that it has to be maintained and lit, as the current signalling system needs it to be proved as working, despite no train having approached it for many years.

this might be DR205 which can be seen at this location on street view? But maybe I’ve got the wrong one and this is a permanent red light

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttTtrmtsFnn8uKDi6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

alt text - attachment shows a single aspect signal labelled DR205 on a rusty single track that is near a supermarket car park.

 

[RichardAsh1981]

The list of signals buried in vegetation includes the exit signal for the siding at Port Sunlight (formerly headshunt for access to Lever Brothers works railway). This last carried traffic in about 1989, although a crippled TEA tank wagon sat there for many years after. The signal is still there and lit despite the siding being full of trees. Occasionally a short length in front of the signal gets felled - but not the triangle between the signal and the main line!

 

[a good off]

I think there's a semaphore on the Glascoed branch at Little Mill Junction. A while since that line was last used.

The stub of the branch can be used to stable tampers.

 

[Zomboid]

I don't know if it's still there, but certainly until fairly recently there was a signal post adjacent to the cutting where the central line approaches Leyton station on the central line, I always thought it was a relic from before the tube took over the route.

 

[Melancholia]

There's an old distant semaphore signal inside Box tunnel on the Up Main line, just near the exit of the tunnel. It's only just about visible from a driver's POV.

 

[Ashley Hill]

There's an old distant semaphore signal inside Box tunnel on the Up Main line, just near the exit of the tunnel. It's only just about visible from a driver's POV.

Corsham’ former up distant. Here’s a photo of it. I thought it would have been taken out when the track was lowered for electrification.

Not my photo.

 

[Crossover]

this might be DR205 which can be seen at this location on street view? But maybe I’ve got the wrong one and this is a permanent red light

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttTtrmtsFnn8uKDi6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

That would be protecting access to the Quay branch and I presume all traffic on the branch had to be talked passed it. There would likely be one "pointing" the other way and I can only assume it is still there.

Not sure equally if that stub (up to DR205) could still be used for stabling (though on Traksy, it shows as blocked in the berths)

EDIT: Another quick look suggests DR194 protects the mainline from trains exiting the Quay branch - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YMrTtmoaSyx1KxTB8

 

[androdas]

That would be protecting access to the Quay branch and I presume all traffic on the branch had to be talked passed it. There would likely be one "pointing" the other way and I can only assume it is still there.

Not sure equally if that stub (up to DR205) could still be used for stabling (though on Traksy, it shows as blocked in the berths)

EDIT: Another quick look suggests DR194 protects the mainline from trains exiting the Quay branch - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YMrTtmoaSyx1KxTB8

DR196 appears if you go back in time a little on street view, before the bushes grew https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vGL7MGYxwBSupWv5
Assume it is still there but in the undergrowth!

 

[Crossover]

DR196 appears if you go back in time a little on street view, before the bushes grew https://maps.app.goo.gl/6vGL7MGYxwBSupWv5
Assume it is still there but in the undergrowth!

Ah yes - actually shown on OTT maps as well


DR196 does appear on the latest Streetview, if you shuffle along the road a bit so you can see side on.

I presume it'll still be there, but equally, I'm not sure if it is one that could be "failed" without any adverse affects on the signalling in the area - DR194 would be the signal that controls access to the mainline, but there could also be double blocking in place or similar that requires DR196 proved.

 

[Brent Goose]

It can be seen in the following photo shown on google maps as ‘The track’. The section running by B&Q has gone now along which much of that used to run along the quay.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UHM3snLq5LDGa4Y18

(link to a rather forlorn signal in the bushes)

 

[Monkeyhead]

Nah, it's still there, was up having my lunch last week and it's still standing

Just to confirm, guarding against mega expensive flats these days!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Just to confirm, guarding against mega expensive flats these days!

That nas to rank as one of the most surreal railway-related sights I've ever seen.

 

[Monkeyhead]

Yeah, when did Leeds Central close, 1960-something, left up there for half a century, and now a feature of a massive development surrounding the viaduct. Kind of wild that it lasted this long without any care!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Yeah, when did Leeds Central close, 1960-something, left up there for half a century, and now a feature of a massive development surrounding the viaduct. Kind of wild that it lasted this long without any care!

I'm rather surprised that a "collector" hasn't driven a vehicle and lifting gear onto the old viaduct and taken it.
Where there's a will, and all that...

 

[DJ_K666]

There are a few old semaphore signal posts along the West Coastway Line out of Brighton, at least two at Portslade.

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Portslade Station starting signal post.

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Old post on the approach, seen from Olive Road bridge. Was this a Distant signal or a repeater due to the curve? This one is difficult to spot as there's not really any nearby road access.

 

[4COR]

I'm reminded of an old signal post to the south side of the Up Caterham line just down from the junction at the south end of Purley station where the Caterham and Tattenham Corner lines join. You can just about see this in the below shot from Google Streetmap - the post is right next to the Higher Drive overbridge.

It looks (see below) that the signal used to possibly be for the Up line rather than being for a down direction move along the up line, but is now replaced by a four aspect with position 1 feather on the other side of the bridge - it was never in use when I lived down there, and the video capture below is from 1989, so it's stood there some time. Anyone know when that post was last used? (possibly 1984 remodelling of the Brighton Main?)



Here's the view from a cab video from a 455, taken 1989 (Mac's Tracks on Youtube:

):

 

[Crossover]

Just to confirm, guarding against mega expensive flats these days!

Been up there a few times, but only on Leeds Light Night, so its always been too dark for me to have spotted this! Looks like I need to revisit during the day