Oracle
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Post by Oracle on May 16, 2006 22:02:02 GMT
As a newbie I thought I might ask any easy question, and remind myself as to when exactly I was there with my camera! As is well known the last semaphore signals on LT were at North Weald and I believe were donated to the Museum. Also the 'signal' by Colindale tunnels was removed By Order. The shunt semaphores at Harrow & Wealdstone when removed (delayed from original date) were the last 'semaphores' of any description on any line used by LT trains but when were the last full-sized signals and when were they removed? There was also a very rare series of train movements (at the time) associated with the works carried out at the same time as the resignalling.
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Post by whoosh on May 16, 2006 23:14:41 GMT
I'm going to have a total guess, but was it Drayton Park?
It was part of the Underground until 1975 or 1976, as the Northern City Line.
I'm thinking that the works and resignalling you are speaking of were to upgrade the line for British Rail trains to take over. (Now First Capital Connect).
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Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
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Post by Oracle on May 17, 2006 7:10:32 GMT
Hi! The clue is the opposite side of the map! I got to the area with my camera hoping to see the signals still there on a Saturday but Friday night the teams had removed the arms and they were lying by the trackside. They were then recycled into store for use elsewhere apparently.
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Post by russe on May 17, 2006 18:57:24 GMT
As is well known the last semaphore signals on LT were at North Weald and I believe were donated to the Museum. Also the 'signal' by Colindale tunnels was removed By Order. The shunt semaphores at Harrow & Wealdstone when removed (delayed from original date) were the last 'semaphores' of any description on any line used by LT trains but when were the last full-sized signals and when were they removed? According to LT Museum, it was Hanger Lane Junction's WM 20/21, removed on 23 November 1953. LT Museum pic U55630 refers. Russ |
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Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
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Post by Oracle on May 17, 2006 19:08:41 GMT
The last used by LT trains was on the District, between Gunnersbury and Richmond, removed ....sometime in 1981 I think as I do not have my slides now and I wrote the dates on them! Curses! They sorted out the Gunnersbury WB starter as well I seem to recall allowing trains to reverse W-E. However there must have been a facility before?
The spoil trains behind 73s and 33s ran through the unelectrified siding connection between the Richmond branch and the Up which was later electrified of course to allow SR stock to access the NLL. This must have been a very rare move, given the rusty state of the rails although the SR 'owned' the line up to Gunnersbury of course and had the job of maintenance and repair.
I took slides over two days and wish I could borrow them off the LURS now! However I must get hold of a copy of the photo mentioned thanks!
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Post by mandgc on Jun 3, 2006 0:03:32 GMT
When were theChesham semaphores taken out of use ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2006 22:28:29 GMT
we have a semaphone signal at earls court stores which was removed from upminster sod knows when though
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Post by Harsig on Jun 4, 2006 9:44:55 GMT
When were theChesham semaphores taken out of use ? The last semaphores at Chesham were taken out of use with the closure of Chesham Signal Box after the close of traffic on Saturday 28th November 1970. The signals concerned were not use by passenger trains but controlled exit from the run round loop which was also removed at the same time. The bay platform was also removed on this date reducing Chesham to the situation we see today. |
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Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
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Post by Oracle on Jun 4, 2006 10:55:37 GMT
I wonder what happened to the ex-LNER semaphore on the Northern [SB Colindale?] that was removed before the Harrow & Wealdstone shunting signal? Rumours abounded that it was used for sight-testing t/ops.
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Post by CSLR on Jun 4, 2006 11:43:54 GMT
I wonder what happened to the ex-LNER semaphore on the Northern [SB Colindale?] that was removed before the Harrow & Wealdstone shunting signal? Rumours abounded that it was used for sight-testing t/ops. This was the one above the tunnel entrance. It certainly was used for eye sight tests and much myth developed about how it was actually deployed. Some stories suggested that the company was reluctant to move trained staff to other positions, particularly at times when recruitment was difficult. It was rumoured that motormen and guards who claimed eyesight problems were asked to ride on the front of a train and to say what aspect that signal was displaying (to the best of my knowledge it never changed). If they said clear, they passed the eyesight test. If they said danger, they were asked why they had allowed the motorman to pass the signal! Supposedly, the only answer that would prove defective eyesight was, "What signal?" |
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Post by mandgc on Jun 10, 2006 23:50:19 GMT
Is a Floodlit Disc signal (LQ or UQ) a "Semaphore" ?
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Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
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Post by Oracle on Jun 11, 2006 19:23:28 GMT
That NL sempahore was apparently set at danger by a pal and coleague of mine in LURS when I was running UndergrounD magazine, which would make it about 1976? The chap whose name escapes ,me worked in the signalling department and one day climbed up and reset the rusty signal to Danger. The last I heard of it was in 198X when the sempahore shunt was removed from H&W one weekend (postponed in fact from the original date). I wrote a note to Underground News and pointed out that it was the last 'semaphore' used by LT trains, the Richmond branch signals having gone the weekend of ....1981, and previous to that the two at North Weald, excepting that NL 'signal'. UN was widely read at the time by LU staff and managers. A letter in response was duly published a month or so later written by the head honcho in signalling at the time who said that he was surprised it was still there as he had ordered it removed some time previously! I wish I could see a photo of it as I never saw it in practice!!!
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