Photograph by John Hinson, 1976
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THE SIGNAL BOX |
PHOTO GALLERY |
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Southern Railway |
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Opened: 1929 |
Closed: — |
Location code: S47/07 |
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Photograph by John Hinson, 1976 |
Reigate is a standard Southern Railway box of the late twenties. Like Mitcham Junction, it features hopper ventilators above the main windows - and this view shows that in some boxes they were glazed and really did open!
Reigate opened in 1929 to replace the original South Eastern Railway box
which had been located conveniently near the sidings but a long way from the
level crossing. The renewal exercise reduced the staffing costs as a crossing
keeper was no longer required.
 Photograph by John Hinson, 1976 |
The box was provided with a rear-mounted Westinghouse type A2 frame of
24 levers. Two ground frame release levers (18/19) are provided to control the
points at the furthest end of the yard, which were outside the reach for
operation directly from the box. The other levers with shortened handles
identify colour-light or power-operated signals.
 Photograph by John Hinson, 1976 |
A close study of the lever badges reveals that most are original
Westinghouse plates and only 17 (in this view) is a SR example. This indicates
that few alterations have been made to the frame since installation because the
plates were generally prepared elsewhere when changes took place.
 Photograph by John Hinson, 1976 |
The mode of signalling was Absolute Block, and the standard Southern Block and bell to Betchworth are seen here. Along the front face of the shelf are brass-cased signal repeaters and track circuit indicators. The black-faced example repeats a distant arm. Modern equipment has crept in, in the form of a colour-light signal repeater (which displays all aspects the signal can show), lamp indicator and bell plunger.
Behind the bell, in a glass frame, are the local instructions applicable
to this box which detail variations to the standard Rules and Regulations.
 View larger image Photograph by John Hinson, 1976 |
The box diagram is a fine example of BR (Southern) style, inherited and developed from the London & South Western Railway. For information and detail, these plans cannot be bettered. Apart from the layout, a chart shows the mechanical and electrical locking, and the distance that each signal and point blade is from the box is identified. There is even an indication of the compass points!
Reigate box is still operational.
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Comments about this article should be addressed to John Hinson |
