GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Birmingham Snow Hill Station: gwrbsh1768

The starting signals under the canopy at the end of down platform No 5 (see signal diagram in image 'gwrbsh1769') were 241 yards from the Birmingham South Signal Box. These lower quadrant semaphore home signals protected the down scissors cross-over switch junction. On the left, set to the clear position, is the starting signal for the platform (No 6) line operated by lever 87 from Birmingham South Signal Box. On the right, set to danger, is the starting signal for movement to the central main line. This was operated by lever 85 from Birmingham South Signal Box. Due to the restricted space under the canopy both of these starting signals were pivoted close to the centre of their signal arm. Below each of these two starting signals are two shorter ‘Calling On’ subsidiary signal arms with the letter 'CO' in white on the enamelled red arms. These signals were operated from Birmingham South Signal Box levers 86 and 84 respectively and were used for authorising a driver to draw forward past the associated starting signal as far as the line was clear. Unless instructions are issued to the contrary the ‘Calling On’ signal must not be lowered until the train has been brought to a stand at it (Rule 43 - 1923). All of these signals were part of the power system installed by Siemens at Snow Hill. In addition to the motors which operated the signal arms, the signals also had electric lamps. The white diamond was a later addition and is an indication to the driver that there is a track circuit. Track circuits indicate to the signalman the presence of a train on a specific section of track and can also be used to block other potentially dangerous operations.

Robert Ferris

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