Signals at Kidderminster

28/7/07

Kidderminster is both the eastern terminus of the Severn Valley Railway and a significant station on the national network, with signalboxes on both lines. This is the view towards Droitwich Spa (NR, left) and Bewdley (SVR, right). NR's Kidderminster Junction signalbox is on the left, with a train waiting in the turnback siding, while the SVR's up innerhomes gantry and carriage sheds can be seen on the right. This used to be the location of the Bewdley line junction when it was still part of BR; the bracket signal on the left used to have an additional doll with the arm for the Bewdley line, and hence the signalbox name.

As the two lines run alongside one another here, I have decided to combine photos of both lines' signalling on this page. Though my main interest is the national network, after the 2007 flood damage I also wanted to show support for the SVR. I also made a contribution to their flood damage appeal.

The view in the opposite direction, with the SVR station and their Kidderminster Station signalbox on the left and the NR station in the distance on the right. In the middle is the connecting line between the two railways.

The view back from the NR station towards the signalbox.

A closer shot of the NR station, with Kidderminster Junction's down starter on its approach.

The NR track layout, and SVR connection, as viewed from the main-line station. In the foreground is the up home.

Beyond the station is the NR down advanced starter.

Kidderminster Junction signalbox. This is a BR(WR) 1953 design and has had its windows refurbished a few years ago.

A down freight train heading for Round Oak passes.

A passenger unit is signalled into the turnback siding, which was only added fairly recently.

The throat of the SVR station, with the NR lines on the right.

The SVR signalbox is named Kidderminster Station. A box of the same name existed at the (then) BR station until the early 1970s, and its nameplate lives on here.

A closer view of the SVR up innerhomes gantry. Behind it, centre left, is the NR up starter.

A closer view of the SVR station, with 4566 taking water just beyond the signalbox.

The SVR down starters.

A closer view of the down main starter. Beyond it is the NR down loop innerhome, and in the distance the up starter.

The ex-GWR ringed signal.

A fiendish view of the SVR platform starters (down homes). Kidderminster Junction signalbox can be seen in the background, but doesn't control the most prominent signals in this photo!

A wider view from the end of the SVR platform, with both signalboxes visible.

The SVR down advanced starter is a few hundred yards down the single-line section...

... and even further out are the up homes.

A mine of further information about SVR and, more generally, GWR signalling can be found at the SVR S&T Department site, which I thoroughly recommend.

August 1971

Turning the clock back, this was the original Kidderminster Station's centre-pivoted up starter, with Kidderminster Junction's inner distant beneath. The signal on the right is the same one as today, but was Kidderminster Station's down home and still had a lower-quadrant arm.