Remaining operation semaphore signals on the U.K. Railway Network

[EcsWhyZee]

The original thread has been locked:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/remaining-operational-semaphore-signals-on-the-network.75577/

and the state of play has changed dramatically since. Where, if anywhere, still uses semaphore signals on the U.K. rail network?

D

 

[Norther Monkey]

The original thread has been locked:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/remaining-operational-semaphore-signals-on-the-network.75577/

and the state of play has changed dramatically since. Where, if anywhere, still uses semaphore signals on the U.K. rail network?

D

See this thread which asks a slightly different, but relevant, question. It shows there's still plenty of semaphore out there.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/trivia-all-semaphore-routes.201585/page-2#post-4480088

Up here there's plenty between Aberdeen and Edinburgh/Glasgow, most (I believe) of the Highland Main Line and Keith to Insch between Inverness and Aberdeen (this route has lost a lot recently with the dualing to Inverurie and various improvements between Inverness and Elgin.

 

[30907]

Most of the Cumbrian Coast, Skipton to Carlisle (both exclusive), Knatesborough to Poppleton (still?), Stamford to Melton M, Shrewsbury and thence towards Newport, Cornwall (?)...
Think Bognor is about the last on the ex SR.

 

[NoMorePacers]

There's a fairly sizeable gantry at Bridlington, which is the only one left in Northern Humberside to my knowledge.

 

[Neil Polo]

The Southport Manchester line has semaphore signals on it. I’ve noticed them at Appley Bridge and Parbold.

 

[Elecman]

Quite a large portion of the Buxton line, and the Hope Valley Line too

 

[Ianno87]

Ely-Peterborough, Peterborough-Leicester

 

[BarryD]

Worcester Shrub Hill.

 

[Bobdogs]

Ferryside.
Pembrey and Burry Port.

 

[40129]

Warrington Bank Quay to Chester (both exclusive) retains traditional boxes and some semaphore signals. Also Wrexham General (exclusive) to Shrewsbury

 

[Nippy]

Still a few around Greenford, Dudding Hill to Neasden

 

[woolos]

Still a few around Greenford, Dudding Hill to Neasden

Park junction newport

 

[Right Away]

Marchwood.
Yeovil Pen Mill.

 

[iantherev]

Tondu.
Abergavenny - Shrewsbury (excluding Hereford area).

 

[Class172]

Worcester Shrub Hill.

In addition to Shrub Hill, Tunnel Junction and Henwick boxes are in operation in Worcester. Droitwich Spa and Malvern Wells are still open too.

 

[Marton]

Nunthorpe on the Esk Valley is still semaphore Homes with fixed distants.

 

[markindurham]

Much of the Blyth & Tyne is still signalled with semaphores.

 

[Deepgreen]

As alluded to by 'Nippy', a 'hidden' section is the Dudding Hill line near Cricklewood which still has a few semaphores and which are now the closest to central London. I say "hidden" because it has no scheduled passengers workings, only freight and occasional charters. The section was recently the subject of another thread in that it had one or two new (replacement) semaphores installed recently.

There is also Littlehampton - the station platform starters (two gantries of two each).

 

[py_megapixel]

Is Manchester to Sheffield still semaphore?

 

[edwin_m]

Is Manchester to Sheffield still semaphore?

Yes, there are boxes with semaphores at New Mills South, Chinley, Edale, Earles, Grindleford and Totley Tunnel East. However there are colour light intermediate signals to break up the sections between most (all?) of these boxes and (like many other semaphore routes) all the distants are colour lights. Hazel Grove has a signal box but I think no semaphores, and the lines into Manchester and Sheffield are controlled by power boxes.

 

[markymark2000]

Warrington Bank Quay to Chester (both exclusive) retains traditional boxes and some semaphore signals. Also Wrexham General (exclusive) to Shrewsbury

I think it's only Mickle Trafford to the Halton Curve junction now. around the Halton Curve Junction and up to Warrington is under a single aspect signal.

 

[Tomnick]

Yes, there are boxes with semaphores at New Mills South, Chinley, Edale, Earles, Grindleford and Totley Tunnel East. However there are colour light intermediate signals to break up the sections between most (all?) of these boxes and (like many other semaphore routes) all the distants are colour lights. Hazel Grove has a signal box but I think no semaphores, and the lines into Manchester and Sheffield are controlled by power boxes.

Chinley’s been a panel for many years now (as has Hazel Grove), and Totley Tunnel East hasn’t got any semaphore main signals. Stockport’s worth a special mention, of course - exclusively, I’m sure, power operated kit on the ground, but all worked from lever frames with absolute block and some incredibly short sections!

For completeness, there’s IB sections in each direction between Edale and Earles, and between Earles and Grindleford

 

[Iskra]

Gainsborough Central

 

[apinnard]

Is there still a semaphore and mechanical shunting discs at Clacton on Sea?

 

[Cowley]

There’s a fair bit in Cornwall still I think, although I haven’t been down there for a while so I’m not certain about what’s left?
Hopefully heading that way next month so I’ll be able to have a look.

 

[Pinus contorta]

Barrow to Carlisle is about 2h 20 journey time. Apart from the signal box controlling the single line section at Park South, I can only remember colour light signals at Silecroft station platform , Drigg Station platform and Whitehaven station platform being non semaphore (these 3 are all adjacent to level crossings / tunnels.) The rest of the route is semaphore I believe all the way north as far as Maryport.

 

[Harbon 1]

Egginton, Tutbury & Hatton and Scropton boxes still going strong on the Derby-Stoke line, Scropton and Tutbury at least still have their full compliment of semaphores.

 

[High Dyke]

Ancaster - Skegvegas, apart from Rauceby, Sleaford (East & West), Sibsey and Thorpe Culvert, with the odd signal at Boston.

 

[Bedpan]

Think Bognor is about the last on the ex SR.

These were at Hastings at the end of July 2019.

And by pure coincidence this is my 1066th message!!

 

[Cowley]

These were at Hastings at the end of July 2019.View attachment 75439

And by pure coincidence this is my 1066th message!!

Nicely done!