THE SIGNAL BOX

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GNR Somersault signal

Signal boxes built by
SMITH & YARDLEY

E S Yardley & Co. were a Manchester-based ironmongery company who dipped their toes into the world of signalling contracting led by William Smith. Most patents were in the name of Smith & Yardley, which is how the company is referred to here.

Please click on the thumbnail images for more information on each location.

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Whitley Bridge

This example of S&Y's first design of box shows a number of similarities with Saxby & Farmer's 1874 design, but predates it by two years. Boxes of this type were erected through to 1878; this example was provided for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.
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Bromley Cross

Another S&Y box of broadly similar design, built for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway
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Milner Royd JunctionPage includes views of lever framePage includes close-up views if signalling instruments and equipment

Between 1878 and 1882, boxes were built to this neater design, with a nice touch provided by providing curved framing at the tops of the windows. This box was also provided for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway.

Nearly all of Smith & Yardley's work was for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, but with exclusive contract deals made in 1881 between that company and the Railway Signal Co., demand fell to nothing. S&Y ceased signalling work in 1882.