This book sets out the basic principles of how traditional semaphore signalling systems work on Britain’s railways. There are detailed explanations of signal box diagrams and bell signals, and the token system used for single line working. The last few chapters look at signal box design, starting with the LNER and LMS followed by Scotland, Wales and the GWR and, lastly, the Southern Railway.
Signalling on British Railways underwent massive change from Nationalisation in 1948 to privatisation in the 1990s, but throughout this period much of the network’s infrastructure dated from the era of the Big Four and the pre-Grouping companies. The variety of traditional signalling in use in the BR era, from the pre-Grouping infrastructure and mechanical signalling up to BR-built signal boxes prior to the conversion to colour-light signalling, is explored here.
At the back there is an appendix listing the various block codes used with the Absolute Block System. Well-illustrated throughout with colour and black & white photographs. 96 pages.