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GWR Route: Alcester to Hatton Junction
GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line
Bearley Junction: gwrbj444b
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In this close up of image 'gwrbj444' the bidirectional
single line to Alcester can be seen passing behind the P & W (Permanent
Way) line side hut circa 1934. The signal in this view is controlling access to
the down line on the North Warwickshire line and because trains were expected
to pass this point at slow speeds the arm is mounted on a low signal post. The
P & W hut was constructed out of sleepers sunk into the ground with a
bitumen covered timber roof and a brick built chimney. Not seen in this
photograph but in image 'gwrbj447' was a small
sliding door, approximately 3 feet off the ground, built into the side facing
towards Bearley. it is thought this was to allow sighting of trains coming from
this direction whilst being protected from the weather. Prior to the 1960s
'Clean Air Act', fog mixed with the smoke from coal, used extensively by both
the public and industry, would create 'smog' which often lingered for days. In
these circumstances it was often the case that the drivers of locomotives could
not see the signal particularly at night. Fog men, often P & W men would be
placed at signals to place detonators on the tracks providing the driver with
an audible signal. The number of detonators used indicating whether the engine
should either stop or move to the next signal.
Robert Ferris
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