Page Updated
28 April 2012

Signalling Record Society

Some Items in British Railways Illustrated

British Railways Illustrated is published by Irwell Press Ltd. Follow this link to visit their web site.

The magazine specialises in short, themed, generally (but not limited to) non-technical articles with few words and several photographs, and more lengthy articles again with good photographic accompaniment. The period covered is nominally the 1950s and 1960s, but also includes material from pre-Grouping days up to about the 1980s. Often the style is to collect together some photographs linked to a theme and then to write some footnotes on each. Irwell Press invites contact from any SRS member interested in writing an illustrated article on British railway signalling topics (with the emphasis being very much on well illustrated). Possible articles might be related to say, signal boxes of a certain style or the signalling at a particular location. Contact George Reeve at the magazine.

Issue Items
2012 May
Volume 21
Issue 8		 Article: “Signalling at St Pancras” by SRS member Michael Back is a series of pictures with good length captions explaining the signalling arrangements in force in the 1950s when semaphores ruled the day. Pictures of St Pancras SB exterior and interior, the gantrys of signals and, for comparison, one from c1900. (MR001)

Photos including SBs: Doncaster South (GN270), Holloway North Down (GN001 1953), Holloway North Up (GN001 1953).
2012 April
Volume 21
Issue 7		 Article: “On Track” Part 2 by Peter Coster sets out the changes to the ECML with the Potters Bar widening in 1956 (GN030). Includes pictures of SBs: Greenwood (GN030 1959).

Article: “Signalling Days : Darwen Diversion” by SRS member Michael Back deals with the SB at Lower DarwenEngine Shed (LY100) and a view of the lever frame; also close up of one of the block instruments in Lower Darwen (Station) SB (LY100).

Photos including SBs: Busby Junction (GB001 1967), Didcot Chester Line Junction (GW 1962), Melton Constable East (MG010 1959).
2012 March
Volume 21
Issue 6		 Photos including SBs: Chard Junction (SW140), Derby Junction* (MR200 1955), Derby Station North* (MR205 1955), Engine Sidings* (MR205 1955), Hinksey North (GW100 c1961), Seaton Junction (SW140 1962). * all in one picture.
2012 February
Volume 21
Issue 5		 Article: “On Track” Part 1 by Peter Coster sets out the changes to the ECML with the Potters Bar widening in 1956 (GN030).

Photos including SBs: Carlisle No.4 (CJ003 1966), Frinton (GE235 1943), Poole Station LC GF (SW100 1964).
2012 January
Volume 21
Issue 4		 Photos including SBs: Bath Green Park (MR344 1956), Exeter West (GW250 1964), Feltham (SW030 1958), Grantham North (GN130 1955), Grantham Yard (GN130 1955), Stechford No.1 (NW320 1959,1960), Stechford No.2 (NW320 1959).
Issue Items
2011 December
Volume 21
Issue 3		 Photos including SBs: Grantham North (GN130 1950), Leeds City Wellington (MR880 1955).
2011 November
Volume 21
Issue 2		 Photo Article: “Signalling Days” by SRS member Michael Back shows an interesting bracket signal at Castle Cary (GW190).

Photos including SBs: Aldersbrook (GE001 1947), Petterill Bridge Junction (MR930 1953), Standish Junction (MR290 1952), Three Bridges (LB070a).

Photos including signals: Princes Risborough (GW050 1968).
2011 October
Volume 21
Issue 1		 Photos including SBs: Arlesey (GN040 1961), Dumpton Park (SE064 1958).
2011 September
Volume 20
Issue 12		 Photo Article: “Signalling Days” by SRS member Michael Back covers Small Heath & Sparkbrook and the picture shows the Small Heath North (GW730) down main starting signal which was of a quite unique design.

Photos including SBs: Carstairs (CA030 1962), Girvan (GS013 1957), Girvan Junction (GS110 1957).
2011 August
Volume 20
Issue 11		 Article: “Ponders End” by SRS member Michael Back features an exterior picture of Ponders End (GE020 196x).

Article: “Tallington” by Brian Bailey features an exterior picture of Tallington (GN120 1961).

Photos including SBs: Archcliffe Junction (SE040 1948), Blackpool North No.3 (PY001 1966), Chelmsford (GE210 1943), Croft Spa (NE230 1958), Hest Bank (NW890 196x), Melton Junction (MR100 1957)
2011 July
Volume 20
Issue 10		 Article: “Signalling Days Return to Tebay” by SRS member Michael Back features an interior picture of Tebay No.2 (LNWR).

Article: “Southern Signal Box Development” part 5 by Jim Harper including photos of Balham (LBSCR 1952), East Croydon exterior and interior (LBSCR 1955), Gloucester Road Junction (LBSCR 1954), Norwood Junction exterior and interior (LBSCR 1954), Redhill 'A' (SECR 1979), South Croydon exterior and interior (LBSCR 1980), Swanley (SECR 1979), Three Bridges (LBSCR 1979).

Photos including SBs: Grantham South (GNR 1939).
2011 June
Volume 20
Issue 9		 Article: “Southern Signal Box Development” part 4 by Jim Harper including photos of Clapham Junction 'B' (LB001), Factory Junction interior & exterior (SE101), Forest Hill interior & exterior (LB040), Gloucester Road Junction interior & exterior (LB009), New Cross Gate interior & exterior (LB040), South Croydon interior & exterior (LB040); plus a letter from Michael Back.

Photos including SBs: Camelford (SW153), Stoke (GNR 1937).

Photos including prominent signals: Crowden (GC370 1933).
2011 May
Volume 20
Issue 8		 Article: “Southern Signal Box Development” part 3 by Jim Harper including photos of Gloucester Road (LSWR), Three Bridges (LBSCR c1980), Twickenham West (interior and exterior) (LSWR 1972), Wimbledon 'A' (LSWR 1959). Letters disputing statement in previous parts as well.

Photos including SBs: Bangor No.1 (LNWR c1963), Fowey (GWR 1954), Menai Bridge (LNWR 1964), Nottingham Goods Yard and Station (GNR 1945), Torside (GCR 1946).

Notes on the 'swing' of level crossing gates including one early picture of a gate post sitting in the middle of the four-foot of an over-run!
2011 April
Volume 20
Issue 7		 Photos of SBs: Boars Head Junction (LNWR 1963), Dainton (GWR 1951), Darlington South (NER 1953), Derby North Junction (MR 1957), Hadfield (GCR 1964,1966), Heaton South (NER), Preston No.5 (LNWR c1954).
2011 March
Volume 20
Issue 6		 Photo article by SRS member Michael Back: “Along The Shores of Loch Linnie” includes the lattice post departure signals at Ballachulish (CR 1964) and signals and SB at Mallaig Junction (NBR 1962).

Photos including SBs: Hest Bank (also track and signalling plan)(LNWR 1957), Luton East (GNR 1954), Retford South (GNR 1952), Romford (GER 1930).
2011 February
Volume 20
Issue 5		 Photos including SBs: Kings Cross (GNR 1948), Mottram No.2 (GCR 1966).
2011 January
Volume 20
Issue 4		 Article: “Southern Signal Box Development” part 2 by Jim Harper. Features Arundel (LBSCR 1968), Ascot 'B' (LSWR 1972), Horsham (LBSCR 1980), Redhill 'A' (interior)(SER 1969).

Photos of SBs: Kings Cross (from above)(GNR 1947), Palmers Green (GNR c1950), Sunderland (NER c1944), Swindon West (GWR 1965), Victoria Eastern (LCDR c1957).
Issue Items
2010 December
Volume 20
Issue 3		 Photos of SBs: Basingstoke West (LSWR), Brunswick (CLC 1960), Norwood Fork (LBSCR 196x), Pontop Crossing (NER 1964).
2010 November
Volume 20
Issue 2		 Photo of SB: Godley Junction (GCR 1952), Millers Dale (MR 1955), Rugby No.1 (LNWR 1950), Watford No.3 (LNWR 1958).

Photos of Signals: Ashchurch (MR 1959), Didcot East Junction (GWR 1957), Manchester London Road (LNWR 1953).
2010 October
Volume 20
Issue 1		 Article: Old Oak Common Engine Shed (GWR) including pictures from c1961.

Article: Southampton Central and Millbrook by J Harper (LSWR) including interior and exterior pictures from 1967.

Article: Signalling Days by Michael Back including pictures of Skipton Engine Shed and Skipton Station North SBs (MR 1967).

Photos of SBs: Clapham Junction 'B' (LBSCR 1964), Dunfermline Lower (NBR 1963), Dunfermline Upper (NBR 1964), Haresfield (GWR 1961), Retford South (GNR 1963), Rugby Central (GCR 1965), Thrumpton (GCR 1963).
2010 September
Volume 19
Issue 12		 Article on Retford including photos of crossing at South SB, also views of North & South SBs.

Photos of SBs: Clapham Junction A (LSWR 1961), Northampton No.2 (LNWR 1950s), Northampton No.3 (LNWR 1960).
2010 August
Volume 19
Issue 11		 Article: "Signalling Days" by Michael Back including views of signals at Barry Island (BR), Torrington (LSWR), Wigan North Western (LNWR 1975).

Photos of SBs: Dewsnap Sidings, Farrington Junction (LNWR 1960), Preston No.1 (LNWR), Ryhope Grange Junction (NER 1967), Yeovil Town (GWR-LSWR 1962).
2010 July
Volume 19
Issue 10		 Photos of SBs: East Leake (GCR 1969), Kings Cross (GNR 1953, 1961), Rickmansworth (GCR-MR 1957).
2010 June
Volume 19
Issue 9		 Photos of SBs: Basingstoke (LSWR 1964), Decoy No.1 (GNR 1965?), Honiton Incline (LSWR 1964), Kensington Middle (WLL 1956), Kensington North Main (WLL 1956), Leicester South Passenger (GCR 1966), Rugby Central (GCR 1966), Salisbury C (GWR 1973), Seaton Junction (LSWR 1964), Yeovil Junction B (LSWR 1964).
2010 May
Volume 19
Issue 8		 Photos: Ashford D (SECR), Clapham Junction A (LSWR), Ilfracombe (LSWR), Sighthill Junction (NBR 195x).
2010 April
Volume 19
Issue 7		 Article: "Finsbury Park No.7" (GNR) including an exterior photo.

Article on Preston (LNWR) includes photos of SBs: Preston No.1A (captioned wrongly as Ribble Sidings, Preston No.3 (captioned wrongly as No.2).

Photos of SBs: Ordsall Lane No.1 (LNWR), Ordsall Lane No.2 (LNWR), Manchester Central Viaduct (CLC).
2010 March
Volume 19
Issue 6		 Article: "Killin Junction" (CR) by SRS Member David Stirling. Includes photos.

Article "Kensington Olympia" (WLR) including photos of Middle and North Main SBs.

Photos of SBs: Preston No.1 (LNWR), Preston No.2A (Strand Road) (LNWR), Stockport Junction (GCR), Weston-super-Mare East (GWR), Wetmore Sidings (MR)
2010 February
Volume 19
Issue 5		 Part 2 of article and photos (11) on empty stock working to/from London, Paddington station during early 1960s. Photos show several MV-GRS model 5A points machines, some partial views of searchlight and ground position light shunt signals, and Old Oak Common’s Carriage Line Ground Frame. Also included is an extract from Railway Gazette showing 1933 new layout of approach lines to the terminus, together with a part of the track plan and numbering of points, signals and track circuits in the Old Oak Common PSB (OO) and North Pole Junction (NP) area; article includes description of the working areas of some of the earlier S.Bs.

Photos (3), London, Victoria station, 19.03.67, elevated views of station yard approach including Victoria S.B., WB&S Co. style M points machines and power operated ground Disc signals.

Photo, Tewkesbury S.B., 12.08.61, close, staircase end view of this ex-Midland 4d box, showing lady signaller exchanging tokens with an engineman.

Photo, Wadebridge (West?) (Cornwall) station, 31.08.54, view from footbridge looking east showing track layout, four U.Q. Stop arms mounted on four lattice dolls upon L & R hand cantilever bracketed lattice post, and ground Disc signal. Distant, staircase end view of S.B.

Part 5 of an article on the Manchester to Woodhead route (ex-G.C.), with photos and maps of the Guide Bridge area. Maps include 1934 O.S. of track layout Ashton Junction/Dukinfield Junction/Guide Bridge East Junction area. Photos (13, 1945 to 1969) include near, staircase end and limited corner views of Stockport Junction. (1945) S.B., part views of Ashton Junction (c1952) and Cock Lane (1951) S.Bs. Several shots of air operated L.Q. Stop and Distant arms in evidence, plus one with two point operating mechanisms.

‘Signalling Days’ article by Michael Back with accompanying photos of items of signalling interest. Photos include Morar station (West Highland Extension), 1964, with L.C. gate box and two L.Q. Stevens Stop arms mounted on lattice signalposts; near view of Monkwearmouth’s North Dock Junction Up Home signals, April 1964, comprising U.Q. Stop and Distant arms mounted on formerly slotted post doll, with adjacent slotted doll supporting a L.Q. Stop arm to match the doll; Three photos at Esher (BR-SR), though to have been taken 1960s, showing 3 position (L.Q.) slotted post signal, with adjacent ¾ front staircase end view of S.B. and lattice post mounted L.Q. Stop arm; Two photos of unknown location and date, one showing two vertically mounted mechanically operated Disc signals and adjacent two-slide detector, with the other depicting a U.Q. splitting Stop signal mounted on tubular post with R.H. offset bracket and adjacent SGE steel apparatus cases; photo of Towcester (ex Stratford on Avon and Midland Junction Railway) station (1960s) showing S.B. in distance and near view of R.S. Company 3 doll wooden post bracket signal containing one Stop and one Miniature Stop arm, mid-distance view of more modern similar installation with U.Q. arms; undated photo of a signal gantry near Farnborough (Hants) comprising 4 dolls, each with an air operated Stop and Distant arm and Signal Post Telephone below at track level; photo of interior of Cholsey and Moulsford S.B. showing frame, block shelf and track diagram; lastly, a close-up photo of the U.Q. Stop and Distant arms of a lattice post signal at Menston Junction (nr Leeds), with the box just visible through an overline bridge.

Photo: Potters Bar (GNR 1962).
2010 January
Volume 19
Issue 4		 Article and several photos (15 of signalling interest taken between 1954 and 1961) on 1950s holidays in Cornwall. Photos include shots at various Cornish locations of L.Q. signals, ground discs, telegraph pole routes, fouling bar, rodding and wire runs, and varying views of S.Bs at Par, St Erth, Helston (2 near views) and Penzance.

Photos (3), London, Old Oak Common (BR-WR) Loco depot, April 1973, distant views of S.B and post and cantilever mounted L.Q. Stop arm.

Article (Part 4), photos and O.S. map on Fairfield and Audenshaw (Manchester to Woodhead route LNER/BR-ER). Photo, Manchester, Audenshaw Junction, 1930s, good, near, rear view of fabricated steel signal gantry comprising 5 tall lattice dolls each with air-operated L.Q. Stop, Distant and co-acting Stop arms; adjacent ground disc signal and 13 arm telegraph pole route with suspended cable. Mid-distance view of further post and bracket mounted L.Q. Stop and Distant arms. Other photos include Fallowfield Junction (16.04.54) showing near, rear, view of ground Disc signal F.P.Ls, cranks, rodding runs and cable route, and further shot of Audenshaw Junction (c1950) also showing 13 arm telegraph pole.

Photos (2), Norton Fitzwarren (BR-WR) station, 16.08.58, near view of channel rodding run, 2nd drive for points and part view of F.P.L. connections; mid-distance, blurred, view of switch-diamonds and disused signal doll on bracket.

Photos (2), Denham (Bucks., BR-WR) station, 02.05.65, near view of channel rodding run and 3 tubular signalposts each with L.Q. Stop arm.

Photos (3), Dundee Tay Bridge loco depot, 28.08.65, near part view of ground disc signals, mechanical compensator, channel rodding and signal wire runs; mid-distance view of angle telegraph pole with 13 arms for one route plus a further 11 arms at right-angle for second route.

Photos (2), London, Finsbury Park (BR-ER ECML) Diesel Depot, September 1976, distant views of C.L. signals, route indicators and steel apparatus cases.

Photos (4), Palmers Green & Southgate station (2 on 01.10.58), New Southgate station (1961/2), and Welwyn Garden City station (March 1963) (all BR-ER), various views of U.Q. Stop arms mounted on straight and bracketed signalposts, ground Disc signal and A.W.S. electro and permanent inductors.

Photo, Doncaster station, 09.08.56, near view of SGE style HB points machine and channel rodding run.

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