LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth
LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street
Washwood Heath Sidings: mrwhg621
British Railways Type 4 1Co-Co1 D 82 is seen passing
Washwood Heath Sidings No 1 Signal Box on a down express three weeks before the
box was downgraded to a shunting frame. 3rd August 1969. The rapid decline in
goods traffic is evidenced by the state of the track of the down Camp Hill
track to the right. This colour photograph shows how drivers were able to
distinguish which of the signals was applicable to their train. On the left
there are three sets of stop and distance signals. The stop signal controls or
in railway parlance protects the section immediately ahead, whereas the distant
signal warns the driver whether the stop signal for the following section is
clear or at danger.
To the driver of an approaching train the stop signal is
painted red with a white vertical stripe to the left of the arm. The distant
signal is however painted yellow and has a vee notch cut in to the end and a
black vee stripe on the left. The reverse of the signal arm is painted white to
ensure that drivers cannot be confused. During the night the stop signal
displays a green light in the 'off' or clear position and a red light when in
the 'on' or danger position and the Distant signal displays a green light in
the 'off' or clear position and a yellow when in the 'on' or caution
position.
The Type 4 class of diesels were built by English Electric
between 1958 and 1962, and eventually numbering 200, they were for a time the
pride of the British Rail early diesel fleet. Despite their initial success, by
the time the last examples were entering service they were already being
replaced on some top-link duties by more powerful locomotives. As they were
slowly relegated from express passenger uses, the type found work on secondary
passenger and freight services where they worked for many years, the final
locomotives being retired from regular service in 1985.
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