THE SIGNAL BOX |
PHOTO GALLERY |
Great Eastern Railway |
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Opened: 1904 |
Closed: 2019 |
Location code: E31/19 |
The lines east from Norwich towards Yarmouth or Lowestoft diverge at Brundall, but it is also possible to continue along the Lowestoft line and cut across to Yarmouth from Reedham Junction. The Down Starting signal for the two routes is seen to the left of this general view. Alongside the signal can be seen a tablet dispensing device, to avoid the signalman having to stand there while the train passes. On the adjoining (Up) line, corresponding catching equipment can be seen. The box itself is of standard Great Eastern post-1885 design, like Wroxham, and contains a 60 lever frame of McKenzie & Holland manufacture. At the foot of the stairs is a modern signalman's privy. |
Towards Lowestoft, the section is signalled with Sykes Lock and Block instruments. The next box is Reedham Swing Bridge, and the GE always provided Lock and Block at swing bridges to reduce the chances of a train falling into one of the Norfolk Broads. The two instruments seen here are for the Down Line. The left hand one controls the piece of line up to the Advanced Starting signal, and reads 4 FREE (or LOCKED) TO ADVANCE. The right hand instruments controls the block section (being released by Reedham Swing Bridge) and reads DOWN LINE 6 LOCKED (or FREE) TO REEDHAM BRIDGE. Mounted above it is the block indicator. Sykes instruments mechanically locked the levers, and therefore had to be mounted above the levers that they locked; the corresponding instruments for the Up Line were therefore to be found at the opposite end of the block shelf. |
Tablet operation was between Reedham Junction and Breydon Junction without involving Berney Arms at all, but to allow more than one train between the boxes a rare Tyer Permissive Tablet instrument was provided. It was therefore possible to withdraw several tablets from the machine at once. |
Whether or not Berney Arms box was switched in, it was necessary to signal each train on two instruments - the tablet and the block. Reedham Junction box closed in 2019. |
All photographs copyright © John Hinson unless otherwise stated