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Bournemouth
The spruce interior of Bournemouth signal box.
The SR Type 11C box opened on 8 July 1928 and was situated above the station canopy. It replaced two older L&SWR boxes at each end of the station, and housed this 60-lever Westinghouse A2 frame.
The box remained in use until 13 December 2003, when along with the box at Branksome, closed under a new re-signalling scheme for the Bournemouth area.
The signal box is listed and is still in situ (as of May 2015) above the staion canopy on Platform 4.
1 January 1997
The SR Type 11C box opened on 8 July 1928 and was situated above the station canopy. It replaced two older L&SWR boxes at each end of the station, and housed this 60-lever Westinghouse A2 frame.
The box remained in use until 13 December 2003, when along with the box at Branksome, closed under a new re-signalling scheme for the Bournemouth area.
The signal box is listed and is still in situ (as of May 2015) above the staion canopy on Platform 4.
1 January 1997
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Poole
The L&SWR Type 4 signalbox at Poole, opened circa 1897.
In a distance no greater than three-quarters of a mile Poole originally boasted three signalboxes and a manned crossing box, these being (from east to west); Poole 'A' - located at Poole High Street, Towngate Crossing - located at the east end of Poole station, Poole 'B' - this box to the west of Poole station, and finally Holes Bay Junction located a couple of hundred yards west of Poole 'B'.
The box closed at 01:20 hrs on 17 May 2014 by long standing signalman Mark Cooper.
29 August 2013
In a distance no greater than three-quarters of a mile Poole originally boasted three signalboxes and a manned crossing box, these being (from east to west); Poole 'A' - located at Poole High Street, Towngate Crossing - located at the east end of Poole station, Poole 'B' - this box to the west of Poole station, and finally Holes Bay Junction located a couple of hundred yards west of Poole 'B'.
The box closed at 01:20 hrs on 17 May 2014 by long standing signalman Mark Cooper.
29 August 2013
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Poole
The illuminated diagram in Poole signalbox.
The red light on the right-hand side indicates the presence of a train occupying a track circuit. This is a down train between Branksome and Parkstone.
24 July 2012
The red light on the right-hand side indicates the presence of a train occupying a track circuit. This is a down train between Branksome and Parkstone.
24 July 2012
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Poole
From the 'low end' the lever frame in Poole box. Some of the spare levers were recovered after the 1995 locking overhaul and re-used elsewhere.
24 July 2012
24 July 2012
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Poole
The 51-lever Stevens frame in Poole box with 20 levers in use - painted red or black.
24 July 2012
24 July 2012
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Hamworthy
A pile of redundant levers lye on the ground awaiting recovery.
18 November 2014
18 November 2014
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Hamworthy
Some of the 59 levers stacked up ready for removal, the structure reduced to not much more than the brick base..
18 November 2014
18 November 2014
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Hamworthy
Most of the frame has been now removed.
18 November 2014
18 November 2014
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Hamworthy
Not much remains of Hamworthy signalbox as Dyer & Butler's staff continue with the demolition work.
Because of its location on the down platform, which is an island platform with the Down Main on one face, and the Hamworthy Goods line on the other, demolition work has probably taken longer than normal as the only access onto the platform is via the subway and steps linking the platforms.
18 November 2014
Because of its location on the down platform, which is an island platform with the Down Main on one face, and the Hamworthy Goods line on the other, demolition work has probably taken longer than normal as the only access onto the platform is via the subway and steps linking the platforms.
18 November 2014
Hamworthy
With the wooden top now fully removed work turns to the scrapping of the 59-lever Stevens frame.
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
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Hamworthy
With the wooden top now fully removed work turns to the scrapping of the 59-lever Stevens frame.
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
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Hamworthy
With the wooden top now fully removed work turns to the scrapping of the 59-lever Stevens frame.
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
The main contractor for this work is Dyer & Butler.
14 November 2014
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Hamworthy
The Stevens & Sons makers end plate of the lever frame exposed to the elements for the first in 121 years.
14 November 2014
14 November 2014
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Hamworthy
Best described as a"broken back" it is quite evident here that Hamworthy box suffered from structural problems, and certainly inside it was obvious a spirit level bubble was never going to sit between the lines, either length ways, or width ways.
9 November 2014
9 November 2014
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Hamworthy
One final sunset on Hamworthy signalbox before demolition commences.
9 November 2014
9 November 2014
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Hamworthy
The porch, toilet, and staircase has been removed to make way for the scaffolding in preparation for demolition.
9 November 2014
9 November 2014
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Hamworthy
The rear of Hamworthy Junction signalbox, an L&SWR Tpe 3B box of 1893 vintage.
The line in the foreground is the goods line that runs from here for two miles to Hamworthy Goods on Poole Quay.
The box finally closed at 02:38 hrs on 15 May 2014 by Mark Salmon.
6 August 2012
The line in the foreground is the goods line that runs from here for two miles to Hamworthy Goods on Poole Quay.
The box finally closed at 02:38 hrs on 15 May 2014 by Mark Salmon.
6 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The interior of Hamworthy signalbox. The vast majority of levers are spare - painted white - a symbol of once greater times here when the signalbox controlled far more signalling equipment than it did towards the end.
6 August 2012
6 August 2012
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Hamworthy
Once an important junction Hamworthy was provided with a 59-lever Stevens frame to control the four-way junction and signalling that originally existed here.
6 August 2012
6 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The illuminated diagram in Hamworthy signalbox.
To the lower right is the double-track line from Poole leading off to the centre-left to Wareham. The goods line to Hamworthy Goods is lower left.
Once a four-way junction the long closed line from Broadstone would have been show leading off from the centre out towards the upper right.
6 August 2012
To the lower right is the double-track line from Poole leading off to the centre-left to Wareham. The goods line to Hamworthy Goods is lower left.
Once a four-way junction the long closed line from Broadstone would have been show leading off from the centre out towards the upper right.
6 August 2012
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Hamworthy
Unlike other regions diagrams the Southern Region's were very detailed and comprehensive, including notes on the particulars and workings of each location. Just about everything the signalman needs to know about what his signalbox does could be found on the diagram.
6 August 2012
6 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The standard 3-Position block instrument in Hamworthy, this one working with Poole.
Other trappings on the blockshelf include the block bell associated with the instrument, a couple of lever-collars - marked 'Line Blocked' - brass signal repeaters and plunger.
Of all the remaining boxes Hamworthy certainly boasted the finest selection of traditional features.
1 August 2012
Other trappings on the blockshelf include the block bell associated with the instrument, a couple of lever-collars - marked 'Line Blocked' - brass signal repeaters and plunger.
Of all the remaining boxes Hamworthy certainly boasted the finest selection of traditional features.
1 August 2012
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Hamworthy
Brass plunger for operating the Wareham end block bell.
Although Holton Heath box closed as long ago as 1968 the enamel name badge was never replaced for 'Wareham'.
1 August 2012
Although Holton Heath box closed as long ago as 1968 the enamel name badge was never replaced for 'Wareham'.
1 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The tapper in Hamworthy working to Wareham. Like the plunger the enamel name badges were never replaced to 'Wareham' when Holton Heath signalbox closed.
1 August 2012
1 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The standard Southern Region closing switch in Hamworthy signalbox.
1 August 2012
1 August 2012
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Hamworthy
The platform bell may have been removed a long time ago put the plunger remained.
This harked back to an age before computers, mobile phones, radios and such like, and the approach of a train to station staff was warned by the signalman ringing a sequence of bells by pushing the plunger. So as an example, an up train stopping at Hamworthy the plunger would be pushed in once (generally for a couple of seconds) sounding once on the platform, alerting staff of an approaching stopping service. Two bells would indicate a down train, and three a non-stopping train, and so on. Details would be published locally so all staff were familiar with the arrangements.
1 August 2012
This harked back to an age before computers, mobile phones, radios and such like, and the approach of a train to station staff was warned by the signalman ringing a sequence of bells by pushing the plunger. So as an example, an up train stopping at Hamworthy the plunger would be pushed in once (generally for a couple of seconds) sounding once on the platform, alerting staff of an approaching stopping service. Two bells would indicate a down train, and three a non-stopping train, and so on. Details would be published locally so all staff were familiar with the arrangements.
1 August 2012
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Hamworthy
An essential piece of equipment in any signalbox, the gradient chart for the area of control.
1 August 2012
1 August 2012
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Wareham
The Southern Railway Type 4A box at Wareham, opened 25 March 1928, making it the newest of the boxes to be closed. After a mere 86 years in use it closed at 02:03 hrs on 15 May 2014 by James 'Jim' Bain.
Unlike the boxes at Poole, Hamworthy and Wool which are planned for demolition, Wareham will see further use with Swanage Railway taking over responsibility and using it as an outpost for.
13 February 2014
Unlike the boxes at Poole, Hamworthy and Wool which are planned for demolition, Wareham will see further use with Swanage Railway taking over responsibility and using it as an outpost for.
13 February 2014
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Wareham
A nice wintry scene from Wareham station crossing.
The crossing is pretty self-explanatory but was still open to abuse from the locals making it one of Network Rail's highest risk crossings on the network. An article in the Bournemouth Echo appeared here.
2 February 2009
The crossing is pretty self-explanatory but was still open to abuse from the locals making it one of Network Rail's highest risk crossings on the network. An article in the Bournemouth Echo appeared here.
2 February 2009
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Wareham
The beautifully kept interior of Wareham was a credit to the resident signalman, with polished brass and steel, and a well kept appearance.
8 August 2012
8 August 2012
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Wareham
The illuminated diagram in Wareham signalbox.
8 August 2012
8 August 2012
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Wareham
A fine selection of hand sign written lever plates in Wareham dating back to when the box was opened in 1928.
8 August 2012
8 August 2012
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Wareham
The train staff for the Worgret Junction to Motala Ground Frame section, Motala being the boundary between Network Rail and Swanage Railway.
8 August 2012
8 August 2012
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Wareham
Long out of use, but still in situ, is Wareham East Ground Frame which controlled the Up Sidings.
Curiously, and presumably for sighting purposes, the ground frame was on the opposite side to the sidings to which it controlled meaning there was an open line - the Down Main - between the operator and the line to which he controlled - the Up Main.
28 August 2012
Curiously, and presumably for sighting purposes, the ground frame was on the opposite side to the sidings to which it controlled meaning there was an open line - the Down Main - between the operator and the line to which he controlled - the Up Main.
28 August 2012
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Wareham
The original enamel lever plates from 1928 still on Wareham East Ground Frame, 84 years after its introduction.
28 August 2012
28 August 2012
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Wareham
An atmospheric feeling to Wareham with the lights down low.
5 March 2014
5 March 2014
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Worgret Junction
The junction off the Waterloo to Weymouth mainline for Furzebrook Sidings, and Swanage Railway, known as Worgret Junction.
The facing points in the Down Main lead to a single line curving away to the right controlled by the covered ground frame.
The junction is a mile west of Wareham with the ground frame electrically released by Wareham.
21 July 2012
The facing points in the Down Main lead to a single line curving away to the right controlled by the covered ground frame.
The junction is a mile west of Wareham with the ground frame electrically released by Wareham.
21 July 2012
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Worgret Junction
No. 1 ground signal worked by Worgret Ground Frame. Although worked by the ground frame the operator could not pull the lever to clear the signal, which was electrically locked, until Wareham pulled an interlocking lever - No. 14 - this locked all down line signals and allowed a train to then be signalled in the up direction of the down line for the one mile from here to Wareham station.
Prior to 2005 several freight trains per day traversed the single line section from here to Furzebrook which has since ceased operation.
21 July 2012
Prior to 2005 several freight trains per day traversed the single line section from here to Furzebrook which has since ceased operation.
21 July 2012
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Worgret Junction
The five-lever Stevens knee-frame at Worgret.
21 July 2012
21 July 2012
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East Stoke No. 32 Crossing
Nowhere near as attractive as the original crossing keepers hut that existed here, but functional, and certainly bigger than its predecessors.
There was once a resident crossing keepers position here, the house being to the right of the green hut. During periods of leave or rest days the resident crossing keeper would be covered by relief staff, and for this purpose a small hut was provided. With the demise of resident crossing keepers crossings at places such as East Stoke the houses would either be sold off, or in this case demolished.
The manned crossing closed at 01:00 hrs on 15 May 2014 by Carol Jamieson.
5 August 2012
There was once a resident crossing keepers position here, the house being to the right of the green hut. During periods of leave or rest days the resident crossing keeper would be covered by relief staff, and for this purpose a small hut was provided. With the demise of resident crossing keepers crossings at places such as East Stoke the houses would either be sold off, or in this case demolished.
The manned crossing closed at 01:00 hrs on 15 May 2014 by Carol Jamieson.
5 August 2012
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East Stoke No. 32 Crossing
The interior of the crossing keepers hut, which was manned 24-hours a day, seven days per week.
The hut was provided with intermediate block indicators and block bell, the line between Wareham and Wool being worked under Absolute Block regulations. No protecting signals were provided worked by the crossing, nor did the crossing keeper have anything such as slots on signals worked from the boxes either side. With only the block indicators and bell to rely on for the warning of approaching trains the crossing was as basic at it gets.
1 August 2012
The hut was provided with intermediate block indicators and block bell, the line between Wareham and Wool being worked under Absolute Block regulations. No protecting signals were provided worked by the crossing, nor did the crossing keeper have anything such as slots on signals worked from the boxes either side. With only the block indicators and bell to rely on for the warning of approaching trains the crossing was as basic at it gets.
1 August 2012
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East Stoke No. 32 Crossing
A period of transition at East Stoke with the wooden gates still in operation for a few more weeks, and the new four-boom full barrier CCTV crossing installed awaiting commissioning.
13 April 2014
13 April 2014
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East Stoke No. 32 Crossing
A very frosty to the start of the morning at East Stoke, seen here looking west towards Wool.
8 December 2008
8 December 2008
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Wool
L&SWR Type 3B Wool signal box opened circa 1890. Other events from that opening year can be found here.
The oldest signal box under the resignalling scheme, and possibly one of the oldest on Network Rail, it signalled its final train after 124 years with signalman David Edwards closing out at 01:15 hrs on 15 May 2014.
15 May 2013
The oldest signal box under the resignalling scheme, and possibly one of the oldest on Network Rail, it signalled its final train after 124 years with signalman David Edwards closing out at 01:15 hrs on 15 May 2014.
15 May 2013
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Wool
Final sunset on Wool signalbox.
27 March 2014
27 March 2014
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Wool
The interior of Wool was certainly compact, presumably when it opened though it was deemed more than suitable for the task in which it was created for.
25 July 2012
25 July 2012
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Wool
Stevens & Sons makers plate on Wool frame.
1 September 2012
1 September 2012
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Wool
The 19-lever Stevens frame in Wool signalbox.
1 September 2012
1 September 2012
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Wool
A once common feature in London & South Western Railway signal boxes was the use of Push / Pull levers, this was an economy measure by the company, with two signals worked from one lever.
Wool originally had three such levers, but over time was reduced to just one, and quite possibly the final one of its type in the country. With the closure of the signal box the Push / Pull lever has become another signalling curiosity consigned to history on the national network.
1 September 2012
Wool originally had three such levers, but over time was reduced to just one, and quite possibly the final one of its type in the country. With the closure of the signal box the Push / Pull lever has become another signalling curiosity consigned to history on the national network.
1 September 2012
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Wool
Located on the sleeper end of No. 11A points at Wool is this enamel identification plate for No. 12 Push ground signal.
28 August 2012
28 August 2012
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Wool
A portion of Wool's diagram to illustrate No. 12 Push / Pull and how one lever worked two signal.
By this stage No. 11 crossover had been secured out of use and under re-signalling was to be replaced by a new facing crossover.
1 September 2012
By this stage No. 11 crossover had been secured out of use and under re-signalling was to be replaced by a new facing crossover.
1 September 2012
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Wool
The compact locking room at Wool.
29 October 2012
29 October 2012
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Wool
Locking controllers in Wool.
29 October 2012
29 October 2012
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