Modern Signalling Methods.

At King's Cross Station, London, the great jumping-off point for the north, all-electric colour-light signals have been installed by the L. and N.E. Railway, controlling, from one central tower, the whole of the traffic movements within the depot. The new installation includes a battery of 232 miniature levers to work 63 colour-lights, 81 shunting-signals to control engines and empty trains, 9 route indicators, 69 motors to move points, and 86 track circuits, the power used throughout being electricity. The whole of the lines and signals are reproduced upon a chart in the signal-box, and every engine and train movement is indicated by means of tiny spotlights.

Colour-light signalling is by degrees being introduced at many points on the Home railway system. In the case of the King's Cross installation, the new arrangements will enable considerable economy to be effected, for a single new signal-box takes the place of the two mechanically-worked cabins which, for the past forty-five years, have guided trains to and from their platforms. It is interesting to recall that the first British electric track-circuit was installed in the tunnels just outside King's Cross so long ago as 1894.