Signal Boxes in Birmingham/West Midlands area

[Robinson102]

I am just wondering if anyone happens to know, if there are any surviving (i.e. still intact - whether open or closed) signal boxes on the following lines/between the stations listed?

New Street - Rugeley Trent Valley
New Street - Blake Street (on Lichfield Trent Valley line)
New Street - Coventry
New Street - Longbridge (on Redditch/Worcester lines)
New Street - Wolverhampton

Snow Hill/Moor Street - Dorridge (on Leamington Spa line)
Snow Hill/Moor Street - Earlswood (on Stratford upon Avon line)
Snow Hill/Moor Street - Stourbridge Junction/Stourbridge Town (on Kidderminster/Worcester lines)


I am aware of the power box at New Street (hard to miss, to be fair), and I am aware of boxes such as Droitwich, Worcester etc outside of the above areas.

I am just curious if any survive within these areas, or if it is all under the control of New Street now?

 

[DesignerMatt]

Snow Hill/Moor Street - Dorridge (on Leamington Spa line)
Snow Hill/Moor Street - Earlswood (on Stratford upon Avon line)

I believe that both of these are under West Midlands SC now. Leamington Spa is (according to the Sectional Appendix I have) still under Leamington Spa SC although I believe that is changing to WMSC under the resignalling of the Chiltern Lines over the coming months.

 

[NSEFAN]

There's not much left now in operation. The lines to Rugeley and Stratford-upon-Avon were resignalled in the past few years. I believe that the only boxes remaining are those between Droitwich Spa/Worcester and Ledbury, which are due to be resignalled to WMSC in 2020.

As a side note, the West Midlands Signalling Centre is based at Saltley, not New Street.

 

[The Planner]

Mostly controlled by the WMSCC at Saltley as already mentioned. Saltley power box still controls the Cross City South but closes in November when Bromsgrove gets re-signalled. New St closes fully in Dec 18 and in stages up until then from Dec 17. Aston box which controls the Cross City north has been deferred to CP6. Lichfield Trent Valley HL and Alrewas are the only old boxes left.

 

[Robinson102]

Mostly controlled by the WMSCC at Saltley as already mentioned. Saltley power box still controls the Cross City South but closes in November when Bromsgrove gets re-signalled. New St closes fully in Dec 18 and in stages up until then from Dec 17. Aston box which controls the Cross City north has been deferred to CP6. Lichfield Trent Valley HL and Alrewas are the only old boxes left.

Thank you all for the information given.

Am I correct in thinking the WMSCC at Saltley is the huge glass fronted thing, near the entrance to the Freightliner container terminal?

If this is correct, wondering if someone might be able to tell me the locations of Saltley power box, and Aston box?

Thanks

 

[ac6000cw]

As you mentioned 'intact but closed' boxes as well, I think Stourbridge Junction box is intact - it probably still houses some signalling and/or telecomms equipment, even though control has been transferred to WMSSC.

Also there may be one or two 'shunt frames' (ex-boxes) still around - Bescot yard certainly used to have one. I think there is also one at the entrance to Tysley DMU depot.

Saltley PSB is in the same area as WMSCC (a 1960s wide and low-ish brick/concrete structure with a pitched roof on the west side of the line)

 

[matt]

Coventry Signal Box still exists now being used as an S and T depot for Network Rail.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

As you mentioned 'intact but closed' boxes as well, I think Stourbridge Junction box is intact - it probably still houses some signalling and/or telecomms equipment, even though control has been transferred to WMSSC.

Also there may be one or two 'shunt frames' (ex-boxes) still around - Bescot yard certainly used to have one. I think there is also one at the entrance to Tysley DMU depot.

Aston box is close to the station of the same name, Saltley PSB is in the same area as WMSCC (a 1960s wide and low-ish brick/concrete structure with a pitched roof on the west side of the line)

Stourbridge Junction still exists as a staff room but holds no active S&T equipment. Aston SCC is the former Vauxhall Shunt Frame and is just New Street side of Duddeston station but does not control the railway it overlooks. Saltley PSB and WMSC are opposite sides of Duddeston Mill Road, the PSB overlooks the entrance to the container sidings with WMSC.

 

[The Planner]

Aston signal box is actually at the Birmingham end of Duddeston station and is not easily accessed. You have the Saltley location correct.

 

[ac6000cw]

Stourbridge Junction still exists as a staff room but holds no active S&T equipment. Aston SCC is the former Vauxhall Shunt Frame and is just New Street side of Duddeston station but does not control the railway it overlooks. Saltley PSB and WMSC are opposite sides of Duddeston Mill Road, the PSB overlooks the entrance to the container sidings with WMSC.

Thanks for the corrections - I used to live in the area but am only an occasional visitor these days.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Thanks for the corrections - I used to live in the area but am only an occasional visitor these days.

You are most welcome.

 

[the sniper]

Wolverhampton PSB is another one that still stands but doesn't signal trains. I think it's still used by NR staff, maybe S&T or the local MOM?

Walsall PSB was demolished and replaced with portacabins when signalling ceased there.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Clearly its now been demolished but in the 1990's there was a signal box located on the approach lines to Washwood Heath yard. I was always amazed that it had lasted into the 1990's and I'm interested to know when it closed if anyone can help

 

[The Planner]

Sounds like Washwood Heath No.1, that went under the Water Orton corridor re-signalling a few years back.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I think there is also one at the entrance to Tysley DMU depot.

Yes, Tyseley box is still going strong. It will probably still be there in fifty years. You can easily see it from the window of passing trains going into New Street and into Snow Hill. I doubt you can get close to it on foot anywhere without trespassing though, it's completely surrounded by railway lines and woodland.

 

[RPM]

Is Watery Lane box at Tipton still there? I photographed it in 2008 but not sure of its current status.

 

[The Planner]

Went as part of Wolves re-sig.

 

[Robinson102]

It appears that Watery Lane crossing was removed completely, looking at satellite view. It is shown as being in two separate stretches now.


Thank you all for the information regarding surviving signal boxes. It looks, to me, as though both Tyseley and Bescot boxes would likely only be possible to photograph from onboard a passing train.

I can't see any way to get near them on foot.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

It appears that Watery Lane crossing was removed completely, looking at satellite view. It is shown as being in two separate stretches now.


Thank you all for the information regarding surviving signal boxes. It looks, to me, as though both Tyseley and Bescot boxes would likely only be possible to photograph from onboard a passing train.

I can't see any way to get near them on foot.

In it's latter days Watery Lane only existed as a gate box for Tipton Owen Street with a CCTV link to the cameras. As part of a project to remove level crossings from the "Birmingham Loop " of the WCML the crossing it was replaced by a bridge taking the road under the railway, a major job that received little publicity outside the local area. Berkswell, Tile Hill and Canley crossings went under the same strategy.

 

[the sniper]

Went as part of Wolves re-sig.

It went years ago, long before the recent resignalling! According to Wikipedia the crossing went in January 2010, so I assume the box was demolished then or within a couple of years of it closing.

EDIT: After Googling, found a post on the signal box forum that says it was demolished in early December 2011.

 

[The Planner]

Was it that long ago? mind you the length of time Wolves re-sig took it probably was part of it!

 

[XCTurbostar]

Coventry Signal Box still exists now being used as an S and T depot for Network Rail.

Correct, it is grade listed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, Tyseley box is still going strong. It will probably still be there in fifty years. You can easily see it from the window of passing trains going into New Street and into Snow Hill. I doubt you can get close to it on foot anywhere without trespassing though, it's completely surrounded by railway lines and woodland.

Currently scheduled to go in 2048. I've been in that signal box and it's been retro fitted with so much kit it's not even funny.
Thanks,
Ross