Great Western Signalling Set A 10 6x4 COLOUR Prints

This set of ten 6x4 Colour prints looks at a number of former Great Western signal boxes. The earliest GW designed boxes to types 1-3 appeared on the Southern Division, the first Northern Division boxes being type 4 in the 1880s.  Ascott-under-Wychwood, seen on 19 March 1972, is on the OW&W section and opened in 1883. It is a type 4b brick box with a timber porch, toilet and gable ends. The two exterior views show the front and back and both ends, a rare treat for the modeller. An interior view covers the 25 lever frame and the GWR gate wheel, again a valuable help for modellers. Cowley Bridge Junction, where the GWR and LSWR main lines joined north of Exeter, is depicted on 10 July 1966. This type 5 box was to a design built between 1889 and 1902. Cowley Bridge Box was extended, so that the nameplate is no longer central. Henley-in-Arden, on the “North Warwicks” line, dated from the opening of this section in 1907, the box being seen on 2 August 1971. It is a GWR type 7d box in red brick with blue Staffordshire engineering brick footings and quoining, the type 7 being one of the most popular GWR designs amongst modellers as it was widespread. An interior photo depicts the frame, whilst a third view covers the signal box diagram with its connections to a bay platform for suburban workings which still had its run round loop in 1971. Bentley Heath Crossing Signal box was an all timber type 28b box installed in 1928 on the four track Birmingham main line just north of Dorridge station. With the institution of power box working on the former GW main line controlled from Saltley PSB, Bentley Heath ceased to be a block post, being retained for the level crossing, with slots on the signals.This winter scene in late afternoon sunshine captures the character of the 1920s GWR all timber boxes perfectly. A vuew of the BR signal box diagram shows how the line was reduced to two tracks, whilst a view of the VT5 locking which was converted from the original 1932 HT3 completes this set. A copy of these notes accompanies the set. These views are copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.