Star Bridge down section signal

[Colin1501]

Bit of a longshot this, but does anyone remember - or have a picture of - the down section signal at Star Bridge box, between Coulsdon South and Merstham?. I know it was a two-aspect colour-light at the northern entrance to Merstham tunnel. However, I have a distant recollection (1970s) of seeing it from a northbound train, and I'm sure the signal head was unusual. As I recall, the two lenses were quite a long way apart vertically, almost like the four-aspect 'searchlight' signals that were common on the Eastern Region.

It's such a long time ago that my memory may be playing tricks, but I'd be grateful if anyone can confirm, or else put me right!

 

[30907]

Can't help, but you could try joining https://sremg.groups.io/g/main where there are several members who might be able to help.

 

[big all]

You may get on better calling it Star Lane

Can't remember it having other than a normal 2 aspect, maybe a 3 aspect with plated over central aspect but cant remember it being much different or unusual other than being combined and on top of a location case I think?

star lane signal box at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[Colin1501]

You may get on better calling it Star Lane

Can't remember it having other than a normal 2 aspect, maybe a 3 aspect with plated over central aspect but cant remember it being much different or unusual other than being combined and on top of a location case I think?

star lane signal box at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Thanks for this - very helpful. But on the name, I do mean Star Bridge. Star lane box was on the parallel Quarry line.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Southern Railway Signalling society has the signal box diagram but its low res but does appear to show a colour light on the approach to Merstham Tnl

https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/src/R1971.htm

 

[Gloster]

Southern Railway Signalling society has the signal box diagram but its low res but does appear to show a colour light on the approach to Merstham Tnl

https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/src/R1971.htm

That is the Signalling Record Society, but they might be able to help. The question may take a few days to get passed to the right person.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

That is the Signalling Record Society, but they might be able to help. The question may take a few days to get passed to the right person.

Yoiks thanks for correcting me - it is a very good site though.

 

[30907]

Southern Railway Signalling society has the signal box diagram but its low res but does appear to show a colour light on the approach to Merstham Tnl

https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/src/R1971.htm

I don't think the symbol you presumably refer to - a circle "attached" to the track - is a signal at all. A treadle? The diagram for Merstham appears to show the down distant within the tunnel itself.
However, the diagrams are dated 1950 and 1953, so arent necessarily relevant for the 70s.

 

[36270k]

Star Bridge down IBS home shown on the link below

Track Diagram: Star Bridge (c1983)

signalbox.org

 

[Gloster]

The very last item shown on the Down line on the right-hand side of the diagram (beyond the bridge) - a small circle connected to the track by a short line - is, according to other SRS diagrams, a treadle. Unfortunately, I can’t go back in time to my signalling training course at Beckenham Junction, where there were lads from both Star Bridge and Star Lane.

 

[30907]

Star Bridge down IBS home shown on the link below

Track Diagram: Star Bridge (c1983)

signalbox.org

Thanks - hadn't thought to look there!

It's the box section signal (or starter in old money) and clearly 2-aspect as the OP describes.

It doesn't answer their question though - I wonder whether it was a 3-aspect head with the yellow blanked off, in anticipation of it taking over the role of Merstham down distant? Or would that not have been the procedure - these days I am sure the signal head would have been replaced? Just speculation, I am not a S&T engineer!

 

[36270k]

A cab view video from the 1970's/early 80's in the down direction will give the answer if it exists on u tube.

 

[edwin_m]

Comparing the two diagrams, the Section Signal in circa 1950 (lever 3) has become an IB signal with the same lever number, and the Home (? - lever 2) has become a 3 aspect colour light. This means that with a train in section beyond the overlap of signal 3, a following train can approach with signal 1 showing green and only brake on sighting signal 2 at yellow. Previously it would have to be cautioned at Signal 1 then brought nearly to a stand at Signal 2 before being allowed forward to Signal 3. So this is a minor increase in capacity.

I'm not sure when this section was fully re-signalled but it can't have been much after 1983 (and a search indicates Three Bridges power box opened that year). It seems to me quite possible that either the above change, or the replacement of Signal 3 by a three-aspect head with the yellow blanked out, was part of the stageworks for the full MAS scheme.

 

[Gloster]

Star Bridge closed on 26 February 1983 according to the Signalling Record Society’s Signal Box Register, Volume 4.