Signalboxes

Safety on the railways is achieved by the correct separation of trains under the control of a Signalman. The Signalman is based in a Signalbox and may control a small area or, with modern technology, a much enhanced area (up to about 50 miles). The Colne Valley Railway is controlled by three Signalboxes - one each end and one in the middle where trains pass.

The most obvious to visitors is the one in the middle as it is on the station platform. This Signalbox came from Cressing on the line between Braintree and Witham. It was built in 1891 and controlled the station area, a passing loop for Goods Trains and a level crossing. The Signalbox was rendered redundant when the line was electrified in 1977 and was due to be demolished. The Colne Valley Railway stepped in and bought the Signalbox. It arrived in June 1977 and was lifted onto a new brick base in March 1981. A new locking tray was manufactured by Westinghouse Signal Co. and the Signalbox was recommissioned in 1983. It now controls the passing loop and sidings at the Station.

Our second Signalbox came from Wrabness on the line from Manningtree to Harwich. It was built in 1875 and controlled the station on the double track main line plus some sidings for goods traffic. It was rendered redundant when the line was electrified in 1985 and bought for preservation by the Harwich & District Railway Society who donated it to the Colne Valley Railway. It was removed by a massive crane one weekend in 1986 by lifting it over the newly installed electrified lines. At the Colne Valley Railway it was loaded onto our Sturgeon wagon prior to being transported down the line (only just fitting under the footbridge) and being slid across onto a new brick base at Nunnery Junction on a very cold January morning in 1987. It now controls the run round loop at Nunnery Junction.