Signals at Ledbury

25/3/05

This is a shot taken from Ledbury footbridge towards the tunnel, with the box and all signals visible. The down home was one of the earliest colour lights within semaphore areas, it must have been there at least 40 years now. The single-line section from Malvern Wells is worked by a unique 'Lock and Block' system devised by the GWR but only ever used in three places, of which this now accounts for two as the line between Colwall and the far end of the Ledbury tunnel were originally double line. The two up starters look a bit OTT now the siding has been removed.

On the full-res version of the above picture, the treadle that releases the Lock and Block after a train has arrived at the end of the section (the device just inside the right-hand rail) can be seen. It is roughly opposite the up advanced starter.

The line towards Hereford is now operated by the more modern tokenless block system that was developed by BR, initially for the Salisbury-Exeter line. Previously there had been semaphore starting and advanced starters, the latter having a shunt-ahead subsidiary.

23/3/08

The down distant, which is shortly before the portal at the north end of Ledbury tunnel.

The up distant, unusual in being worked from a lever numbered zero.

There are also some photos of Ledbury signalbox on a site devoted to Ledbury station and its train services etc.