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I think there's still a semaphore gantry at Llandudno? Is that the only one left now, or maybe another somewhere?
Depending on the distinction between a gantry and a Bracket, there's probably a few around Shrewsbury.I think there's still a semaphore gantry at Llandudno? Is that the only one left now, or maybe another somewhere?
There’s a nice gantry at Hilton Junction which is, incidentally, Scotland’s oldest signalbox dating from 1873.Is that the only one left now, or maybe another somewhere?
Yes and no.That is an interesting point - assuming the current arrangement is considered safe to operate (obviously)
Regarding Shrewsbury, by the time it is replaced I would expect a new signalling system to be much better at checking train speeds as they enter the station and thus controlling their approach to the platform end junctions with accuracy not currently achievable, thus compensating for the lack of overlaps at the junctions.Yes and no.
By current standards, it isn't safe to operate. But it's operated on grandfather rights, on the basis of "this is the safest thing we can do with the current infrastructure", because the alternative is closing it all, or ripping it all out and shuffling it about at great expense.
Like ETCS, you mean? (Sort of).Regarding Shrewsbury, by the time it is replaced I would expect a new signalling system to be much better at checking train speeds as they enter the station and thus controlling their approach to the platform end junctions with accuracy not currently achievable, thus compensating for the lack of overlaps at the junctions.
Something along those lines (deliberate pun there!)Like ETCS, you mean? (Sort of).
I think there's still a semaphore gantry at Llandudno? Is that the only one left now, or maybe another somewhere?
I think the junction signal at Hilton Junction is still a gantry?Indeed there is still a gantry, it is a semaphore as far as Deganwy then Llandudno Junction box takes over with lights.
Gantry was still at Llandudno in 2017 (click on photo to go to the larger original on the Geograph website):Indeed there is still a gantry, it is a semaphore as far as Deganwy then Llandudno Junction box takes over with lights.
It is still alive and well today I assure you.Gantry was still at Llandudno in 2017 (click on photo to go to the larger original on the Geograph website):
Six signals and a signal box
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It was a year or so ago:I think the junction signal at Hilton Junction is still a gantry?
It did in 2017:Does the gantry at the north end of Shrewsbury platforms 3 and 4 still have any semaphore arms on it?
Modern standards? The principle of the overlap, or the clearing point in the context of an Absolute Block section, has been around for much longer than a century - and in that context it is of course equally applicable to the current installation around Shrewsbury. A junction right on the end of a platform doesn't mean that you can't have an overlap - it just means that it might extend over the junction (as would typically be the case with Absolute Block acceptance conditions).I can't see Shrewsbury being resignalled any time soon. For one thing you'd lose shedloads of platform capacity as the new design would have to be compliant with modern standards and include irritating details such as signalling overlaps etc! The current arrangement with fixed distants and junctions right on the end of platforms can't be easily recreated with MAS without losing critical capacity and operational capabilities.
Modern standards? The principle of the overlap, or the clearing point in the context of an Absolute Block section, has been around for much longer than a century - and in that context it is of course equally applicable to the current installation around Shrewsbury. A junction right on the end of a platform doesn't mean that you can't have an overlap - it just means that it might extend over the junction (as would typically be the case with Absolute Block acceptance conditions).
See post #128…Similarly Birmingham New Street is signalled without overlaps - which is why there is a 10mph limit. Both layouts have grandfather rights and could not be so designed as a new installation today. In both cases the lack of overlaps is mitigated by fixed distants and a severely restricted linespeed, which would require a lot of difficult derogations against modern design standards.
This might have been mentioned further down the thread, but the rise of 3D metal printing may make this less of a concern. As long as you have an example of what the part is like as new then it is relatively simple to reproduce a new one. Even with quite complex mechanisms.But replacement parts are normally made by either the original manufactures, the company that bought/merged with the original company, or another company (e.g. Unipart which bought the National Railways Supplies company, a part of the former BR stores system). When it becomes uneconomic for either Network Rail to buy replacement parts, or uneconomic for the company to produce new parts, then at some stage the railway will have to fit more modern equipment.
You never know. However, the box equipment has been declared life expired, as I understand it.
Be careful what you wish for! In BR days we always used to say that if a station or signalbox received any major repairs, a repaint or even new windows, it would be closed within a year. There were numerous examples of this back in the 'seventies and 'eighties....Helensburgh Upper station building being a prime example.I live near Pembrey box, which has recently had new windows, so maybe safe for a while. Still some wire pulled semaphores here, but the days when there were over 80 levers used have long gone! Ferryside has had new windows too.
Very true! I've heard such stories too. The signals here look rather neglected and could do with some paint, but at least they are still here.Be careful what you wish for! In BR days we always used to say that if a station or signalbox received any major repairs, a repaint or even new windows, it would be closed within a year. There were numerous examples of this back in the 'seventies and 'eighties....Helensburgh Upper station building being a prime example.
It was always said that if they came and started to paint the Box or do it up in any way it was sure to be closed soon!I live near Pembrey box, which has recently had new windows, so maybe safe for a while. Still some wire pulled semaphores here, but the days when there were over 80 levers used have long gone! Ferryside has had new windows too.
A bit of googling produces several articles, all of which look as though they are based on the same press release. Based on that my interpretation is that it is the work mentioned above. Exeter to take over Lostwithiel, Par and Truro, while it is not clear what they are doing at Plymouth. In particular they mention two level-crossings being involved: I would see this as Lostwithiel and Truro, and so presume they are not going further west.Cornwall has been mentioned above but what is the Devon resignalling you mention,getting rid of Exeter's fringe boxes?
That's my understanding of it too. I was just thrown by the addition of Devon resignalling by the poster.A bit of googling produces several articles, all of which look as though they are based on the same press release. Based on that my interpretation is that it is the work mentioned above. Exeter to take over Lostwithiel, Par and Truro, while it is not clear what they are doing at Plymouth. In particular they mention two level-crossings being involved: I would see this as Lostwithiel and Truro, and so presume they are not going further west.