UK Semaphore Signals - David Rodgers

[John Ashworth]

FOTR is very happy that top photographer David Rodgers has agreed to let us post some of his work

1

They are still fairly widespread throughout the UK mainly (but not exclusively) on secondary routes. Most of the big gantries have gone but some reasonable sized installations still survive. The problem here is that most signal alterations are now done with colour lights even though operated from manual boxes. There is still some token working as well. Here is a pic of the gantry at Scarborough which is under threat as the track layout of the station is due to be changed later this year and the area colour lighted - a big loss.

2 and 3

A couple of interesting pics of the 3 times weekly Scarborough Spa Express passing through Cattall station on the Harrogate - York line last August. This is still a mechnically signalled line which is part single track and uses tokens (signalman handing to driver). The box is on the platform and controls manual gates on the level crossing. The old station building is now a pub and restaurant and I was able to time courses perfectly to slip out and take the shot!

[John Ashworth]

Rather nice gantry at Bury on the East Lancs Railway. This was formerly at Lostock Jct near Bolton and re-erected on the ELR.