St Helens Signal Box

[Gathursty]

On my way back from New Brighton, I hopped out at St Helens Central and caught sight a little further north of the signal box.

Can anyone tell me:
Is it still active?
What does St Helens Signal Box control?
How many signallers were/are there?
Does Pilkington have any freight services to/from it?

I've always assumed that the Wigan-Huyton line is controlled by Lime Street or Preston as IIRC Wigan and Huyton don't appear to have signal boxes (unless Wallgate signal box is somehow involved in St Helens services..??) Forgive my ignorance.

 

[507 001]

It is indeed still active, it is now a fringe box to Manchester ROC towards Liverpool and Warrington PSB (?) towards Wigan.

Up until about 12 months ago it worked absolute block to Prescot (which could be switched out) and Huyton Box towards Liverpool. I can't remember why it wasn't abolished when the rest of the Line was Re-signalled.

There's also a box at Edge Hill BTW.

 

[The Planner]

St Helens was down to be resignalled around the same time as Huyton, it is designed and on plans but got canned for cash as far as I know.

 

[notlob.divad]

On my way back from New Brighton, I hopped out at St Helens Central and caught sight a little further north of the signal box.

Can anyone tell me:
Is it still active?
What does St Helens Signal Box control?
How many signallers were/are there?
Does Pilkington have any freight services to/from it?

I've always assumed that the Wigan-Huyton line is controlled by Lime Street or Preston as IIRC Wigan and Huyton don't appear to have signal boxes (unless Wallgate signal box is somehow involved in St Helens services..??) Forgive my ignorance.

It is still active as it also controls the crossover in the station for the occasions where it needs to be used.

Yes, Pilkington's does (once again) get freight services. If you look on google maps Arial view you will see a sand train being unloaded in the sidings at Ravenhead. It has happened a few times recently, but it is not regular yet. The sidings are also capable of taking oil deliveries, but it has been a while since that happened I believe.

 

[driver9000]

It is indeed still active, it is now a fringe box to Manchester ROC towards Liverpool and Warrington PSB (?) towards Wigan.

Up until about 12 months ago it worked absolute block to Prescot (which could be switched out) and Huyton Box towards Liverpool. I can't remember why it wasn't abolished when the rest of the Line was Re-signalled.

There's also a box at Edge Hill BTW.

Prescot closed in September 2013 when Pilkington to Huyton was converted to axle counter TCB. I have the notices for change somewhere. As I remember Prescot switched out after 18:00 and all day Sunday.

Yes it fringes to Warrington PSB towards Garswood and Wigan. St Helens Central control area was relatively small controlling from Gerard Bridge GF to Pilkingtons glass works. On the Up (from Liverpool) we picked up its outer distant just after Eccleston Park station before the cutting down into Scholes tunnel.

 

[8A Rail]

It is still active as it also controls the crossover in the station for the occasions where it needs to be used.

Yes, Pilkington's does (once again) get freight services. If you look on google maps Arial view you will see a sand train being unloaded in the sidings at Ravenhead. It has happened a few times recently, but it is not regular yet. The sidings are also capable of taking oil deliveries, but it has been a while since that happened I believe.

The crossover in the station is hardly ever used these days, partly as all trains (unlike the past) carry on to Wigan NW. Likewise, the cross over I've noted (unless I need better glasses) is not electrified either, strange it may seem.

The "sand trains" have over the last few months have been operating every Monday on a STP schedule (6Z81 / 6Z82), so I would suggest it is now a regular weekly service. HTH.