British Railways (North Eastern Region)

Opened: 1956

Closed: ——

Location code: NE31/24

Within the town of Northallerton, just a short distance off the East Coast Main Line, can be found Low Gates box. Opened in 1956 to take over control of Northallerton Low Junction, it has progressively increased in importance since.

This type of box replaced the range of styles used by the LNER up to 1944 (see Barton Hill) and had many common features with cabins constructed in the Eastern Region (see Sleaford South). Apart from the reversion to a gabled roof, the newer box at Balne has many common features, too.

Inside the box, a twenty lever McKenzie & Holland frame controlled the layout, working in conjunction with the switches on the console above. This hybrid arrangement allowed economy in the frame (and box) size as the main running signals (all colour-light) were worked by the switches and just the points and shunt signals mechanically worked by the levers.

Above the console is the statuary signalman's diagram, which is quite large in size through the size of the area controlled. The upper route at the junction connects with the main line at Northallerton High Junction, whilst the lower one (the Longlands Loop) bypasses the station and at one time gave access to the Leeds line without conflicting with important main line traffic.

Today the frame is gone; it was replaced by a panel in 1992. A further panel was added c1998 when the signalling between here and Stockton was rationalised.