was started in 1984, this was our second signal box to enable us to increase the length of our railway tracks.
The signal box was built utilising the wooden structure from the original Willowbank signal box. The original intention was to install a six lever Stevens & Sons knee frame. However we were lucky enough to
have more levers donated to us from part of Totton signal box lever frame, this signal box was located near Southampton.
With the new additional levers the frame was increased to 12 levers the maximum we could fit in the signal box. The signal box was commissioned on the 1st June 1986 by society's then President Tom Snoxell when he signalled the first train onto the new local line at Angel Road. Since opening the signal box has been in continuous use every open day, routing the trains as necessitaed by the service.
Lever Plates
On the left are reproductions of the signal lever description plates. The area controlled is about one third of the layout, this is achieve using mechanical signals which are electrically operated at a scale of 3 inches to a foot.
In 2002 signal box was reworked and all the lever functions were re-allocated to allow a new track over the top of the tunnel to become operational.
Today the lever frame controls 9 running signals via levers 1,2,3 & 10,11,12, and 4 sets of points. Levers 6 & 7 are due to be re-commissioned soon.
Angel Road signal box interior.
Red levers work the signals, and the black / blue levers work the points. The indicators above the levers indicate the position of the points or signals.
The block shelf contain the Block Bells & Block instruments to Willow bank Signal box.
At the right hand end is the main line Tyer's block instrument. The left hand block instrument is the local line full / permissive GWR block instrument to Willowbank.
The diagram above shows the track layout and contain LED's to show the position of the trains, which are controlled by track circuits.
Signal box diagram Double click on diagram get a detailed, printable PDF file in a new window.
Ring the block bell for
Passenger
train
Tyer's Block Instrument
This One-Wire Two-Position block instrument at Angel Road signal box is connected to Willowbank signal box and full block signaling system is used between these signal boxes on the main line.
Tyer's & Co. produced a range of two-position instruments for different railways, and more or less cornered the market in early block signaling days. The instruments were unduly complex, owing to the desire to operate the block needles for both lines of a double track, and the bell, over one telegraph wire.
This also limited the functionality of the instrument, and it was only possible (without further complexity) to show two block indications. These were, basically, "Train on line" or "Train not on line" to indicate the state of the block section. This was achieved by miniature signal arms representing the starting signal at the box concerned, and the one on the opposite line at the next box. In simple terms, the starting signals at the boxes concerned should correspond to the indication given.
The two plungers operate the same block bell - the significant difference between them being that the top plunger raises, and the lower plunger lowers the acceptingwhite signal indicator arm
Angel Road signals
Up Local Line Tunnel signal
This signal No.1 is located inside the tunnel and is a permanent 4 aspect colour light signal. The signal is on the right side of the tunnel rather than the left to improve the drivers view of the signal before he gets to it.
The line entering on the left after the tunnel is currently a siding, which will in due course will connect to Willowbank station as a running line.
In the far left background is the next signal gantry and Angel Road signal box, which are shown in more detail in the next picture.
Up Local Home Signals
The Up Local line home signal gantry with Number 2a in the 'clear' or 'off' position for the Up Local line. The distant signal is 'on' because the advance starter No.3 is at danger. The adjacent home signal is for accessing the Up Loop Line which runs in front of the signal box.
The Main Line runs behind the fence and behind the signal box descending to join up with the Up Loop Line track merging some distance after the signal box
Angel Road signal box can be seen in the left background.
Up Local Banner repeater
This repeats the Up Local Advance Starter No.3 signal shown in the the next picture. Left picture is banner 'on' next signal at danger, right picture is banner in the 'off' position, when the Up Local Advance starter is clear.
Up Local Advance Starter
This is the last controlled signal [No.3] on the Up Local line at Angel Road.
This signal is the block section signal for the Up Local line.
The next signal is Willowbank's outer home signal on the Up Local line
Up Loop and Main Line Advanced Starter signals
The mechanical signals on the left [No.12b] is the Up Loop starter. The temporary coloured light signal [No.12a] is the Up Main starter, which is clear for the Up Main line.
These signals are both block section signals for the Up Main line.
The next signal is Willowbank's outer home signal on the Up Main line
Up Main Outer Home signal
Now onto the Up Main Line this is a permanent 4 aspect signal No.10 which repeats the aspect of the signals in advance.
On the lower left is the Up Local Line
Up Local Home signal
This is the temporary 3 aspect coloured light signal [No.11] until such time as the mechanical signal arrives.
Eventually it is planned to add a siding past the gantry which is the reason for the gantry, i.e. to hold two mechanical signals,
Up Loop and Up Main Advance Starter signals {a more detailed picture}
The temporary coloured light signal [No.12a] is the Up Main advanced starter, which is clear for the Up Main line. The mechanical signals on the left [No.12b] is the Up Loop advance starter.
With both signals being advanced starters signals this is also the block section signals for the Up Main line.
The next signal is Willowbank's outer home signal on the Up Main line
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