Rule 55

Your opportunity to “Sign the Book”

In past times, Rule 55 required the Fireman of any train detained more than a short time at a signal box to walk to the box and remain there until the train could leave. His responsibilities included ensuring the signalman protected his train with a collar on the lever to prevent it being pulled, and to sign the Train Register Book.

This is your opportunity to do the same. You can also view entries made by others below.

Write a new entry in the Train Register Book

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80 entries.

Doc Wilmeth from La Grange, California wrote on February 8, 2024 at 7:55 pm

Being a U.S. modeler of British Railways is a dark and lonely job, and I depend on resources such as The Signal Box to provide accurate and useful information on my chosen subject. Well done!

Chris Read from Desborough wrote on January 29, 2024 at 9:00 am

Signalman Northampton & Lamport Railway. Very informative information received.

David Isaacs wrote on January 3, 2024 at 1:41 pm

FANTASTIC! I'm modelling a railway based on the old LMS Bath to Bristol line. Finding photos of Bitton station has been real pain and then I stumbled across this website which has the track layout for Bitton station in the 1960's, with all the details I need clearly marked out, this will make an excellent starting point for building my model railway, THANK YOU!

Douglas Morgan from Farnham wrote on December 18, 2023 at 1:17 pm

What trains did ACTON LANE JUNCTION (LSWR)signal box control apart from Richmond/Turnham Green. Were there ever any passenger trains Bollo Lane Junction (NSWR/LNWR) over curve to Turnham Green direction? and if only freight then between which two points?

Admin Reply by: The Signalman

Thanks for your contact. Nobody is able answer your question here - please ask your question on the Forum. John

Nick Cory from Brieselang wrote on December 9, 2023 at 5:06 pm

What a wonderful website! I have spent 48 years in the signalling industry, starting at Westinghouse Brake and Signal Ltd., then GEC-General Signal, Integra-Signum, Siemens, ADtranz, Bombardier and finally Alstom. Now continuing to work freelance and specialised in ERTMS / ETCS, but I started hanging around in signalboxes and learning the block as a teenager while still at school - unofficially, of course. Landed here while reading the original Board of Trade report into the Abbots Ripton accident and wanting to know more about the "speaking telegraph". Fascinating to learn that this system was in use into the 1970s. Wouldn't it be great to find a Great Northern code book? www.cory-online.de

Martin Dibbs from St Andrews wrote on December 8, 2023 at 9:14 pm

Excellent site. Thank you! Does anyone know how the trains arriving from the Alexandra Palace branch ( closed July 1954) returned from Finsbury Park please?

David from Paris wrote on November 23, 2023 at 3:01 pm

Just visited the site after a quick random google to look at British rail signal boxes, which I thought looked very beautiful in a bygone era type way. Came here with zero knowledge and now leaving slightly more knowledgable. Kudos for following your passion! Thank you and keep up the good work!

Alejandro aquino from Argentina wrote on November 19, 2023 at 10:01 pm

hi. I find information about Dis engager slotting system for a absolut and distance signal arms, handly of 2 signal boxes. Thank's a lot

Matt Davison from Melbourne Australia wrote on October 5, 2023 at 12:33 pm

Currently studying to be a signalman on a heritage railway, this website has always been popping up in my research of different aspects over the years. Keep it up! 😄

Ethan Liew from Singapore wrote on September 16, 2023 at 2:05 pm

Hi there! Ive been interested in signalling, especially the british parts, ever since I rode on the Malaysian Train Network that uses such systems. What a great site!

Prior to the rebuild of the web site in 2020, a different “Train Register” was in use, which can be viewed here.