GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1741

Photograph of the interior of Birmingham North Signal Box taken at the same time as image 'gwrsb1669', soon after the Signal Box opened on 31st October 1909. The front panels have been removed from the 224 lever Siemens power frame revealing the electrical connections and fused power circuits beneath each lever. The initial requirements of the northern end of the new station totalled one hundred and eighty five working levers as follows:
       66 - Signals
       43 - Switch points and bars
       73 - Disc signals 3 - Locking bolts

The individual lever numbers, names, and lead numbers were engraved on an inclined brass plate forming the top of the frame. No catch handles were provided on the levers, but a spring bolt working in the top-locking groove engaged with and held the tappet in each of its correct final positions. It also held it in the correct position for a check lock to operate, when the check lock magnet received the return current from the contacts on the point switch or signal mechanism. At this date, track circuit supervision was unavailable, but the signal box’s position gave it a commanding view of the station’s northern approaches.

Robert Ferris

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