Image ID: 42837

Semaphore Signals, Worksop Sidings

Worksop Sidings
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
England

This is a view westwards from the 'Down' platform of Worksop Station. The 3 signalboxes are all on the north side of the through lines. The closer signalbox is Worksop West, opened in 1874, in the distance is Shireoaks East Junction, opened in 1914. Both closed in 1998 when a new signalbox opened at Worksop (out of shot to the right hand side). The semaphore signals were replaced with colour light signals. The term 'signalbox' was usually not used in conversation when railwaymen named a box. The Worksop West signalbox controlled the eastern exit from Worksop Sidings, as well as through traffic on the fast and slow lines. The sets of 2 signals on one post, facing west, are 'Up' (eastbound) signals. Both of the top signals are controlled from 'Worksop West'. The upper signal on the right, a 'Home' signal, allows trains to leave the sidings. The 'Home' signal to the left of this controls trains on the 'Up Main' line. The fish-tailed signals below each 'Home' signal are 'Distant' signals, both controlled from 'Worksop East', which was situated at the level-crossing behind the photographer. The signal which is 'off' (i.e. at 45 degrees) on the left of the track is also controlled by 'Worksop West'. This will have a title such as 'Down Main Home' (again, the suffix 'signal' was dispensed with in conversation) and controls traffic along the main line to the west. The signal on the lower post, to the left of this, allows trains onto the 'Down Slow' (line). The fact that this post is not as high as the other one, indicates that the line it allows entry onto is subsidiary to the main line. In the middle distance, but not as close to the through lines as the other 2 signalboxes, is 'Worksop Sidings'. This box controlled movements in the (marshalling) yard (I was told that waggons were 'always' derailing here, due to the track being poorly maintained). In the distance is 'Shireoaks East', controlling trains on both the ex-GCR line to Sheffield, and the ex-Midland branch-line towards Mansfield. Worksop Goods Depot was situated to the left of the 'Haa-Haa' waggon (an acronym identifying a hopper waggon for power-station coal-traffic. Because this one is in a siding on its own it may be a 'cripple' - a broken-down waggon).

Date: 1985

Organisation Reference: NCCN000407

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