RAILWAY SIGNALLING

Welcome to the signal box, do come in.

OK, so you've come in. Do you realise that is an infringement of Rule 72 (a)? You didn't? Never mind, you can learn about things like that on these pages.

This web site is all about railway signalling. Its primary purpose is to describe the principles behind railway signalling in Great Britain, but some coverage of signalling around the world will also be found. The emphasis is on the older, mechanical signalling - that worked by mechanical levers and with semaphore signals. More detailed information on modern and foreign signalling will often be found elsewhere on the web.

This web site has developed from a desire to record in an orderly and easily understood manner the quantities of information that I have learnt during the last forty years - much of which has only been stored in my head!

You will find here descriptions and illustrations of signals, explanations of the rules and regulations, photographs, historic articles, reminiscences, museum and book lists, a monthly quiz, classified advertisements, sources of software (including downloads), links to other sites with signalling interest, and much more. Have a stroll around. Whether you have a deep interest in signalling or just a passing interest, there is lots here to look through.

You can click on the links below to reach the pages you want to visit, or navigate by clicking on the badges at the top and bottom of each main page. Enjoy!

John Hinson

Please note that another web site, which has been named "The Signalbox", has no connection with this one, nor is it specifically related to railway signalling. The choice of name has caused some confusion with users of this site. We neither endorse nor associate ourselves with that web site.

1. THIS HOME PAGE - you are on this page - but click here if you are stuck in a frame within somebody else's site.
2. SIGNALS - illustrations of British signals and descriptions of their function.
3. BLOCK SYSTEM - a blow by blow breakdown of the principles of Absolute Block.
4. BRANCH LINES - a selection of articles on signalling matters contributed by a range of authors.
5. PHOTO GALLERY - photographs of British signal boxes and their equipment.
6. MUSEUMS & PUBS - a list of places where you can see signalling equipment on display.
7. RAILWAY COMPANIES & CONTRACTORS- A comprehensive listing of railway companies detailing the types of signal box and frames used. The list also includes a set of standard abbreviations used around this site.
8. SECTION C - recent and forthcoming alterations to signalling in the UK, edited by Nick Allsop.
9. TRACK LAYOUTS - a selection of signal box track layout diagrams.
10. SIGNALLING OVERSEAS - a glance at signalling of the past around the world.
11. LATEST MAGAZINES - a summary of recent signalling articles in magazines, edited by David Clegg.
12. SIGNALMAN'S BOOKSHELF - a list of signalling books in and out of print, together with a summary of current magazine articles. You can purchase on-line, too.
13. LEVER FRAMES- photographs and descriptions of the different types of lever frame that were used in the UK.
14. EXCHANGE SIDINGS - an area for mutual help and classified advertisements for signalling railwayana.
15. RULE 55 - your chance to sign the Train Register to say you've been here
16. SIGNAL LINKS - some useful links to other sites of railway signalling interest

The web site is updated from time to time, and continues to grow. Will it ever be complete? Probably not. The content is primarily historical - even where more modern signalling systems are touched on, it should be understood that the descriptions are unlikely to reflect current Rules & Regulations. I do not plan, as some readers imagine, to put a photograph of every British signal box on this site - I only show examples of the different architecture and equipment.

Additional information is always welcomed, and some contributors have provided entire articles for the site. However, the large amount of material received sometimes means that I cannot publish it immediately.

Are you having problems viewing this site? See the Infrequently Asked Questions page.

Want to copy information or pictures from this site? In most cases this isn't a problem - please see the Conditions of Service page.

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