1308

The current Llandudno box diagram (ABOVE) shows these ground signals with miniature arms, but the
assumption was that on the ground they were disc signals, although our party was not able to
investigate and confirm this, or if both signals are still in place on the ground. [Does anyone know?]

ABOVE: When there were 5 platforms, 4 with run round facilities, and carriage

sidings (you should see the other 80 Figures too!). BELOW: Taking the plunge.

ABOVE: In the locking room, beneath the frame, looking up at the roof (which is the lever room floor),
the locking mechanism is on the right running down a vertically.



landudno Junction box is just off the Holyhead end of the station, before the actual junction for the

●Deganwy Signal Box is on the Down side by the level crossing at the Llandudno end of the station,
near the tranquil picturesque harbour. It is an LNWR Type 5 design with a timber top on a stone base,
rather than the normal brick base, dating from 1914 with a 1914 dated 18 lever frame. With four
spaces and seven white (spare) levers, only seven are in use. No1 is the level crossing release. No5
operates Deganwy's Up Distant signal, a motor operated semaphore. No7 Up Starter also acts as the
Llandudno Junction Up Distant - it is a 3-aspect colour light. As well as the station level crossing, the
box also controls Deganwy Quay CCTV crossing at the Llandudno Junction end of the station, now only
accessing some residential property. No12 (now spare) used to release Deganwy Quay Ground Frame.

The box is staffed on early and late shifts (but not nights). The Signaller mentioned that gusts of wind
can cause the crossing barriers to shake so much in their mounts that it activates the barrier failure
alarm. On a recent shift he had to go out several dozen times to manually operate the barriers, after
the alarm had deactivated them. He had not been happy - the job is certainly not always a breeze!

●Llandudno Junction: The box is just off the Holyhead end of the station, before the actual junction

for the Llandudno branchIt is a BR (London Midland Region) Type 15 flat roofed design commissioned
in 1985. The lower section dates from 1980, constructed then as a relay room for the previous box,
with the operating floor added about 1983 from second hand Type 15 components (BR were very good
at recycling). Inside is a 1983 'stand up' style 'N-X' Entrance/Exit Panel with buttons on the panel but
no train headcode displays. These are gleaned from computer screens dotted about the floor. The box
is open continuously under three shifts. Since the Easter partial resignalling of the North Wales Coast
line, the Junction works to Cardiff ROC at the eastern end and to Penmaenmawr (or when switched
out - usually overnight - Bangor) to the west. The Junction box took control from Colwyn Bay in 1991.

On the Up line from Penmaenmawr train detection is by axle counters, due to problems encountered
with sea water affecting track circuits at Penmaenbach. There is also a 'Clear/Occupied' indicator for
Penmaenbach Tunnel for the Up Line, but the duty Signaller said this was of no real use since axle
counters had been installed, even though they were installed first! On the Down line there is no
indication in either Llandudno Junction or Penmaenmawr boxes for trains beyond signal LJ71, which
protects Conwy tubular bridge and Penmaenmawr's Home signal, some four miles distant.

On the west end of the panel is a 'Complete With Tail Lamp' button for the Up Main, pressed for each
Up service to confirm it is complete with tail lamp and out of section. There used to be one for the
Down Main from Colwyn Bay but it was removed when Cardiff ROC took that over. [They would need
exceptional eyesight!] Bi-directional signalling is available on the Up Line between Junction station and
Conwy, originally installed for a prospective Conwy shuttle service that failed to materialise.

The Conwy Valley branch to Blaenau Ffestiniog is token operated to Llanrwst. As Junction box is at the
wrong end of the station to issue tokens to drivers, the token machine is in the station building; station
staff withdraw and replace tokens. 'Requesting' and 'accepting' on the signalling equipment is still
carried out by the Signallers, with confirmation to the station staff via walkie-talkie radios.

All Junction station platforms are bidirectional and can be used for attaching and detaching. However,
only P1 (Up & Down Passenger Loop) is permissive for Class 1, 2 & 5 trains but in the Up direction only.
An interesting discovery was that although electronic systems show that some trains are booked to
use P4 seven days a week, this only normally happens if a special train runs or there are problems.
There is no automatic online recording of platform use afterwards. Trains mostly serve the island
platform for obvious ease of passenger interchange and this saves a member of staff being on duty (or
at least staff going backwards and forwards). Services to Blaenau actually use P1 and from Blaenau P3.

●Tal-Y-Cafn: The unstaffed platform has a set of metal gates for the minor road crossing the single
line. The former Up platform has a 'TAL-Y-CAFN & EGLWYSBACH' reproduction running-in board.
The Crossing Keeper's accommodation is part of the former station house and has photographs
showing there used to be signals. They were operated from a small frame in the covered passenger
waiting area (still with a public telephone - the mobile reception can't be too good in those parts, but
branch trains have very good WiFi!). Now the Keeper just has a set of flags to signal each train.

ABOVE: Not many people know this, but signal
box visiting is surprisingly hungry work. On the
left is the well travelled Angus McDougall and to
the right is the fixture organiser, Barney Clark,
both flagging a bit and signalling time for lunch.

The Crossing Keeper's accommodation has a repeater that indicates when a token has been removed,
but does not show from which end of the single line. The keeper needs to remember the direction of
the last train to know when to open the gates, although there can still be additional workings, such as
a recent weed spray train. The system is safe as trains cannot proceed without the keeper giving the
appropriate flag. There is a second repeater on the platform (attached to a location cabinet), although
the face of this repeater has long since faded from exposure to North Wales sunlight.





[BLN 1308]
●Llanrwst, at the northern end of North Llanrwst, was the final box visited and is where tokens are
exchanged. This station name is unusual in having a compass point prefix and has the only loop on the
27½ mile Conwy Valley line. The box is another LNWR 1880 vintage Type 4 design, with a second hand
20 lever frame from Brunditts (quarry) Sidings (1909 there) at Penmaenmawr, and was installed at
Llanrwst in about 1954. There are only four working levers, Home and Starter signals in each direction
with reflective boards used for the Distant signals. Of the nine white (spare) levers still in the frame,
most were for the former Up Yard which used to run behind the signal box and into what is now an
access road with light industrial buildings. The points at either end of the loop are hydraulic 'spring'
points; the normal lie is for facing moves with left hand running. The party were shown the point
mechanisms with the covers removed and how the points can be pumped over manually if necessary.

There are no track circuits for the station area which means that, when crossing trains the Signaller
needs to observe which one arrives first, to clear the correct Home signal into the loop and avoid
delaying the first arrival. The first has to be stationary before the signal is cleared for the second in
case the first overruns - an example of a 'non-dynamic' loop. However, crossing only happens when
additional trains are running and is not required for the normal service. There are two Tyer's Electric
Token Key machines, one for the section from Llandudno Junction (round hole tokens) and the other
from Blaenau Ffestiniog (triangular hole tokens). A quaint and uncommon feature was that Llanrwst
box still has an outside toilet, a metal one which is an ice box in winter and an oven in summer!

NEXT PAGE LOWER LEFT: The Llandudno Junction - Llanrwst token machine uses tokens with round
holes; it is Llandudno end of the box in the corner. LOWER RIGHT: The Llanrwst - Blaenau Ffestiniog
machine has tokens with triangular holes and is at the Blaenau end of the box in the corner.







●Blaenau Ffestiniog: An unexpected bonus was a visit to this station to examine the ground frames.
The single platform station dates from 1982, provided to interchange with the Ffestiniog Railway's
extension to the town then. There are two Ground Frames: No2 (27m 33ch) at the Llanrwst end of the
station siding loop and No3 (27m 51ch) at its other end. The siding (loop) is used by special trains
requiring to run round and for stabling. Unauthorised movements to the main line at the north end are
prevented by a 'splayed' trap point with two switches, both normally open. This design may be due to
having passenger lines on both sides; (one the 'Festiniog Railway' - with one 'f' per frame diagram!);
the normal type of trap points would divert unauthorised movements towards one passenger line or
the other. When a train arrives at Blaenau, the Llanrwst token is not usually placed in a token machine
and the driver retains it back to Llanrwst. However, if the train is to be 'locked in' the siding, the token
is placed in the station platform token machine to allow another token to be withdrawn at Llanrwst.

Beyond No3 GF the line ends at buffer stops, where a very short (approx 6") section of rail has been cut
out before a fence at the start of the disused Trawsfynydd branch. The OOU No4 ground frame
(27m 53ch - 25m 25ch from Bala Junction!) was inspected. It once gave access to the branch which is
intact (but heavily overgrown); The Blaenau Ffestiniog &Trawsfynydd Railway Society hopes to restore
it https://goo.gl/cWYsGM as a heritage line. Blaenau Ffestiniog former No1 GF (27m 07ch), on the
Down side, north of the pre-1982 station, was used to access sidings including a domestic coal depot.

Thanks to Barney Clark for arranging and leading the very enjoyable visits (particularly for the glorious
weather) and to Mark Owen for being so helpful. Also thanks to the duty Signallers who were
courteous and interesting, with little gems of information and anecdotes to help us understand and
appreciate the workings of each location. Final thanks to Nick Jones for the Blaenau Ffestiniog details.

BELOW: Blaenau Ffestiniog looking south to the end of branch with the Festiniog Railway station to
the right and its running line to Porthmadog off middle right. The unusual standard gauge trap at the
north end of the siding/run round line is seen, any train 'trapped' would derail straight on (away from
the camera). Blaenau Ffestiniog No2 Ground Frame is left. Taken when there was no train in section.

ABOVE: Detail of No3 Ground Frame at the south end of the station controlling the
point there accessing the siding/run round loop.

[BLN 1308]

LEFT: The vital six inch gap
in the rails severing the
Trawsfynydd branch from
the national network.

BELOW: Looking south
from Blaenau Ffestiniog
station, along the very
inviting disused branch to
Trawsfynydd, showing the
trap point. The two very
rusty levers of Blaenau
Ffestiniog No4 Ground
Frame that controlled it
poke out of the vegetation
middle left.

ABOVE: 1959 1" map with the Ketton Cement Works branch (now rather longer than then although
the quarry section is no more). Stamford is off to the right with Oakham left. Ketton & Collyweston
station closed from 6 Jun 1966. BELOW: Train with BLS and PLEG headboards. (Kev Adlam 1 Jul 2018)

1484] Ketton Osprey Explorer, Sun 1 Jul 2018: This fixture truly had something for everyone, ranging
from those interested in haulage, complete track coverage (or both), to others just hoping to enjoy an
interesting tour at an unusual location. Although track coverage was very comprehensive, the trips
were enjoyable rather than exhausting, and the organisation was excellent throughout.

I travelled on the 11.30 tour, one of four which operated this day, carrying over 200 passengers in
total. The trips comprised extensive tours of the rail infrastructure at Ketton Cement Works, using two
brake vans provided by 'Rocks by Rail', hauled by 08580 (supplied at short notice by RSS - Railway
Support Services) and 08375 (normally on site, owned by RMS Locotec); 08870 was also noted on site.
All train crew were Hanson staff or Chasewater Railway volunteers - the latter is over 75 miles away.

Passengers joined the trains by either walking a short distance or by travelling on a temporary 300yd
long miniature railway laid alongside part of the path. This peripatetic facility resides in Bristol with its
operator and its lengthy travels provided an extra pleasure. Both walkers and miniature travellers
joined the tours at a temporary platform specially constructed for the works open day the previous
day (used by the visiting general public for a steam-hauled trip).

The tours all ran in hot and sunny weather but the brake van verandas provided the ideal shady and
cool travelling conditions required. The 11.30 tour ran without incident aside from an 'extra go'
needed to reach the end of the headshunt, and a broken coupling later in the tour which was swiftly
and efficiently replaced in a safe, professional manner such that most aboard were unaware of this.
The positioning of the Ketton No3 steam loco and vintage wagons alongside the silo as we passed
provided additional interest and was a thoughtful touch.

BELOW: Another enhancement, compared with our 2015 Ketton event, was this steam hauled
peripatetic miniature railway, to the delight of the miniature men. (Willliam Ramsden).



PREVIOUS PAGE LOWER: The temporary platform; specifications by Kev Adlam. (William Ramsden)

It is very pleasing to report that the tours raised over £8,000 for Hanson's nominated good causes, the
beneficiaries being Evergreen Care Trust, Anna's Hope, Kiwanis (£2,500 each), while £545 was shared
between the Chasewater Railway and 'Rocks by Rail'. It is also important to acknowledge Hanson's
co-operation, particularly in allowing access to the site, and to thank the volunteers from Chasewater
Railway and BLS for all their hard work both before and during the event. (William Ramsden)

Planning for the day started over a year ago, involving five site visits and some 50 hours of work by our
member Mark Haggas, plus two visits and 20 hours of work by Kev Adlam. Mark comments that it was
very stressful at times but so worth it at the end to have a full fixture and raise so much money for
charity. [Participants' smiles showed their appreciation of Mark and Kev's efforts]. Of note was the
absolute complete track coverage, including all sections not available on our 2015 tours, except the
short stretch occupied by 08870 and a wagon. This was thanks to the extensive work kindly carried out
by Hanson having the railway specially cleared of wagons. Why Ketton Osprey?... Now in the 17th year,
nearby Rutland Water is home to the first Ospreys to breed in England for 150 years. Sometimes they
can be spotted from a cruise on the 'Rutland Belle'. One of the classes at Ketton Church of England
Primary School is 'The Osprey's. (Souvenir Ticket and trip mileage are thanks to Jim Sellens.)

From To (08375 & 08580 each 1m 56ch) Lead Chains

Temporary platform Network Rail Boundary, via Siding 1 08375 58½ch

Network Rail Boundary Clear Siding 2 west end points 08580 16½ch

Clear Siding 2 west end points Clear Siding 3 east end points 08375 13½ch

Clear Siding 3 east end points Clear DBC Maintenance Siding points via Siding 4 08580 63½ch

Clear DBC Maintenance Siding points Maintenance Siding 08375 02½ch

Maintenance Siding Coal run round headshunt 08580 37½ch

Coal run round headshunt Old Coal Road, to 08870 and wagon 08375 52½ch

Old Coal Road Clear of silo north end crossover 08580 19½ch

Clear of silo north end crossover Temporary platform, via silo 08375 10½ch

BELOW: The very smart RSS 08580 at the very end of the Ketton branch. (Kev Adlam)



ABOVE: The 'Saturday Team', volunteers for the public steam runs on Sat 30 Jun. (Kev Adlam)
BELOW: Some local Ketton Ospreys pictured on the day of our tours by a participant. (Tevor Cockram)





PREVIOUS PAGE: Ketton track layout with
thanks to Martyn Brailsford; the continuous
red (black in BLN) lines are those covered by
all four of our tours - basically everything! The
NR boundary (top right) is just 6ch from the
Oakham - Stamford line, 2¼ miles southwest
of the latter. Distances on the map are given in
miles and chains and are approximate. Our
next industrial fixture (on Sat 21 Jul) is at the
extensive AV Dawson Middlesbrough Old
Town site (BLN 1306.1133 has all the details).

Details must be checked 1308 CONNECTIONS (Paul Stewart) [email protected] Please mention BLN

1485] GWR Group Tickets: Off Peak 34% discount for groups of 3-9 on most Great Western services
(not Night Riviera sleeper or CrossCountry trains). From: ●Staffed stations. ●On the train (unstaffed
stations or if the booking office is closed). ●GWR.com; 3 to 9 passengers brings up the fares which
have a 'G' next to them showing the discount has been applied with Nectar Points available too.
●03457 000 125 (07.00 to 22.00 daily) - also for groups of 10+ where further discounts may be
available. Group Discounts may be temporarily withdrawn during busy times/special events that
make the trains busy such as the Cheltenham Festival. West Midlands/LNWR have a similar offer.

1486] Okehampton: (BLN 1304.1001 - 19 May - with timetable) For this year's Summer Sunday service
(until 2 Sep) the Exeter stations day return is £5.40 (railcard or Group Save £3.55). Other examples:
Dawlish/Teignmouth £6.50/£4.30; Torquay/Paignton/Totness £8.10/£5.35; Plymouth £10.40/£6.85.

1487] Kerr's Miniature Railway: West Links Park, Arbroath, (NO 629 401) (MR p28) (BLN 1251.324)
'Scotland's oldest miniature railway', a 350yd long 10¼" gauge seafront line alongside the mainline was
visited by a Society group in Sep 2015. On 18 Feb 2014 Angus council gave permission for Phase 1 of an
extension further into West Links Park. However, the local paper reports that passenger numbers are
now half of what they were 10 years ago since the West Links play park was moved nearer the town
and away from the line. The railway's future is reportedly uncertain if passenger numbers do not
improve and more volunteers are needed to help run it (there are five now). Weather permitting the
railway operates until 30 Sep weekends, daily until mid-Aug, 11.00-16.00. Adult £1.50 return Child £1.

1488] Guernsey - Alderney: Ideal for visiting the standard gauge two mile Alderney Railway, (shown
on Baker's Atlas) a seven day scheduled boat service started Fri 13 Jul for a trial period of 11 weeks on
a 'Use it or lose it' basis. Guernsey St Peter Port 09.00 & 18.00; Alderney 07.30 & 16.30 taking an hour.
Single £40; Day Return £40; Period Return £50; it is probably the cheapest way to reach Alderney. The
interesting Alderney Railway runs from Braye Road station SuO to 23 Sep, SO until 31 Aug & Mon 27
Aug at 14.30 & 15.30. Adult Return £6; Single £4; Child (5-2 years) Return £3; Single £2. It is possible to
do both trips on a day return from Guernsey, but might require a run after for the 16.30 ferry back!

1489] Kingfisher Line, Titley Junction, Steam & Tea Afternoon Sat 18 Aug: HR5 3RX, (SO328581).
At nearly ¾ mile this is Herefordshire's longest standard gauge heritage railway in delightful scenery.
A talk about the railway, a full line steam train ride and full afternoon tea - Titley's homemade cakes
are legendary. Adult £20; Child £10 - reservations are essential; ring Jonathan Wilson 01544 262712.

1490] Vale of Rheidol Railway, Driver for a Fiver, until 30 Aug - be a Devil! Daily from 10.00 at Devil's
Bridge station on Yellow and Green timetable days, footplate rides on No605 'Margaret' £3 or £5 to
drive with extra track (the independent line along the north side of the station not otherwise used).
All funds raised from this goes towards the restoration of steam Locomotive No7 'Owain Glyndwr'.

[BLN 1308]
X.105] L&CI Signal Box Visits Fri 14 Sep: With thanks to our member Stuart Smith and our friends at
the Locomotive & Carriage Institute, BLS members may apply for a visit to the 1960 Plymouth Panel
Box at the station. This connects with the 07.30 from London Paddington, calling at Bristol TM 09.12
(Plymouth 11.10). It also connects with the 06.10 from Derby, Birmingham NS 07.12, Bristol TM 08.44
etc to Plymouth (10.42). It will be followed by a visit to a mechanical signal box (either Par or Truro)
travelling by service train. There will be reasonable connections back to London/Derby etc. Advance
fares are available. The Paignton & Dartmouth, Bodmin & Wenford and South Devon Railways will all
be operating if coming down the day beforehand or staying on. All bookings and enquiries to Stuart
Smith please, by e-mail [email protected] (preferred) or phone  07887 998557.

1491] RPSI, The Southwestern Railtour, Sat 13 Oct: Dublin Connolly (07.45/21.00) fast run to Cork -
Cobh 071 loco hauled Cravens coaches with refreshment facilities; back with the 201 standby loco.
Cork station avoiding line (outside P5) requested - realigned at the Cobh end 22 Sep 2013 and not
used by a passenger train since. Then Limerick Junction - Limerick (break change 071 loco) - Ennis -
Athenry - Athlone - Dublin. Photostops at unusual stations on Cobh branch and Western Corridor.
£63/€70 bookings (read details): https://goo.gl/4yWwcc or print https://goo.gl/wZmjY2 and post.

1492] West Somerset Railway: A delightful 20 mile branch passing though lovely Devon countryside
and by the sea. The Adult Day Rover is very good value; Adult £18; Senior £16.20; Disabled £15; Young
Person (5-17) £9; Dog £2; Family £44 (2A & 2C or 1A &3C). A 'Freedom of the Line' ticket is even better
value, an unlimited rover for up to seven consecutive days Adult £35; Child £17.50; Family £75. *NEW*
Non-transferrable Annual Pass (Adult £62, Family £129, extra child £30) now available; passport sized
photos are required for each person (or email .jpg, .gif or .png). Also Group Discounts are available for
16+ people (with catering options).

All are valid for normal timetabled services https://goo.gl/1VCvk6 (not Pink/Purple Timetable days, eg
galas, Santa) and can be purchased online. Through Tickets can be purchased from most GWR staffed
stations via Taunton includes No28 bus to/from Bishops Lydeard and WSR day rover. Also on GWR
website as a day return; 'West Somerset Railway' is the destination - they are posted. Add on Adult
£21.10/Child £10.55 eg: Bristol TM Adult £34.70 Child £17; Paddington Adult £95.80 Child £47.90, -
note normal railcard discounts DO apply to the GWR portion of the fare.

1493] UK Railtours, Man of Steel, Sat 20 Oct: King's Cross 07.05/21.05, Potters Bar 07.25/21.35,
Stevenage 07.45/21.10, Peterborough 08.50/20.10, Newark Northgate 09.45/19.35 via Barnetby
(rev) for mainline connection/s to British Steel Scunthorpe. It is hoped to visit some track/terminals
never previously covered by railtours (and not covered by our 31 Mar 2012 Immingham Centenary
Preview that ran via North Lincoln Jn to Redbourn Container Terminal). Return via Doncaster
(SD 18.50). Our member Ian Loveday is organiser (as for the last two UKRT visits to the Immingham
area, Liverpool Docks and the recent Pathfinder tour to Goole and Hull Docks) and he knows what
BLS members want! From £89.50 https://goo.gl/29DxbP or 01438 715050 (09.00 to 17.00 SSuX).

1494] Book Section: London Railway Atlas 5th Edition: Our member Joe Brown's superb, fully revised
(including Crossrail and Thameslink) and further enlarged work is due out 30 Nov; RRP £20. It extends
to Tilbury, Gravesend, Windsor and Redhill. Rail Atlas of Great Britain & Ireland: The new revised and
updated 15th Edition (RRP £20) by Stuart Baker is 'delayed due to author illness' - no release date is
available yet. Atlas of Railway Closures: (2018 edition) 128 pages, A4 size claims to show shows all
standard gauge railway lines built in Britain and the dates when each line and every station on them
was closed. Closures are colour coded by decade from the 19th century; there is a complete index and
gazetteer with date/s of the closure, if applicable. RRP £25 (£16.99 from Blackwell's - free UK delivery).

X.106] Guess the Location: (BLN 1207.X94) ABOVE: Bristol Temple Meads, of course. Former P2 is on
the left (no passenger use - but it would make a good bay for a Portishead passenger service!) is on
the left; the DMU is in Dock 1. The unit is 150/1 DMU 150126 reduced to 2-car and still in '150/2' dark
blue from its time as 3-car 150926. (David Guy, Tue 8 May 2018)

1495] The Insider Rail Guide - Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, David Spaven & David Fasken; (Kessock,
2017) £7.99. Pocket-sized, 128 pages, 40 historic and contemporary photos, some in colour, 11 pencil
drawn illustrations, hand drawn maps and a wealth of information. It includes a history of the line,
from opening to Stromeferry in 1870 and extension to Kyle of Lochalsh in 1897. The second half is a
'window gazer' of the 82 mile route, including historical and contemporary observations.

X.107] COMING NEXT TIME! The Branch Line Society London Horse Tram System Map - Circa 1896; In
two week's time with e-BLN 1309, from original research by our Exeter member John Yonge. Maps
drawn by Martyn Brailsford - 22 pages. An impressive free electronic supplement for our members.

●Bookings Officer: Jill Everitt, 4 Barnside Way, Moulton, NORTHWICH, CW9 8PT.
●Fixtures Secretary: Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE CW2 6XN. @BLSGeneralSec
●Sales: Mark Gomm, 84 Mornington Road, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 6EL. 01782 769960 (daytime).
●Paper BLN Problems: Dave Monger, 6 Underhill Close, GODALMING, GU7 1NU [email protected] Text/ring Editor.
●Electronic Messages (to submit short notice information)/e-bln or BLN problems: Nick Garnham [email protected]
●Electronic Messages (to subscribe) BLS members: https://goo.gl/JqT61k Non-BLS members: https://goo.gl/uCErpL
●Editor: Paul Stewart, 4 Clarence Close, MALVERN, WR14 3HX. 01684562862 07790652351.



Published by the Branch Line Society, 10 Sandringham Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8NP. ISSN 1354-0947