Workman Disconnected

[ExRes]

I was catching up on some recent auction results and came across a lot containing three "Workman Disconnected" badges, the other lots that were seemingly associated were all signalman/box related

Is anyone aware of the use of these badges? perhaps safety related items for use on box levers?

Thanks for any information

 

[Pinza-C55]

Yes they are lever collars to indicate that the signal lever is out of use. The various railway companies had different styles of lever collars, the most famous of which had cast letters "STOP AND THINK".

 

[ExRes]

Yes they are lever collars to indicate that the signal lever is out of use. The various railway companies had different styles of lever collars, the most famous of which had cast letters "STOP AND THINK".

Thanks very much for the information

 

[RustyRails]

I believe that the "Workman / Disconnected" enamel lever collars are of Great Western Railway origin. Most lever collars were to remind the signalman that he had a train waiting at an "out of sight" signal - these GWR ones seem to be specifically for use when a signal is out of action.
These turn up quite often (I have one!) but there doesn't seem to be any equivalent stating "Train Waiting" or "Stop" or anything like it.
Bit of a mystery!

 

[Ashley Hill]

These turn up quite often (I have one!) but there doesn't seem to be any equivalent stating "Train Waiting" or "Stop" or anything like it.

At least on AB lines there were Train at Signal flaps on the block instruments to remind the signalman.

 

[RustyRails]

Yes of course - the GWR "Spagnoletti" instruments had such flaps. The GWR always did things differently!

 

[Ashley Hill]

And the 1947 pattern!