The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 11 (January 1, 1939)
Signalling Improvements
Signalling Improvements.
The remodelling of city passenger stations, and the electrification of the tracks in and out, affords an opportunity for introducing signalling betterments of the greatest value. The Southern electrification works were accompanied by elaborate resignalling schemes, involving new signal boxes at Waterloo (309 levers), London Bridge (311 levers), Charing Cross (107 levers), and Cannon Street (143 levers). On the L. & N.E. system, two interesting resignalling schemes just completed are those between Shenfield and Chelmsford, on the former Great Eastern section; and between Shenfield and Southend—the nearest seaside resort to the capital. In both cases modern colour-light signals have been installed, with three and four-aspect signals of the searchlight type, controlled by d.c. track circuits. The same company has also recently completed new power signalling at the east end of Waverley Station, Edinburgh. The former mechanical signal-box at this point comprised 260 levers. This, and a second signal-cabin some 1,056 yards distant, have been replaced by a new box with 207 miniature levers.
Multi-unit type, colour-light signals have been installed, with track-circuiting throughout. On the L.M. & S. line, we have an important new signalling scheme in hand at Wigan, in Lancashire. Two big stations are involved, one on the main-line between London and Scotland, consisting of five through platform roads and five terminal bays, handling over
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400 trains daily; and the other, situated on the Manchester-Southport tracks, handling about 300 trains daily. Three new signal boxes are replacing the twelve existing cabins.