LMS Route: Rugby to Tamworth

Atherstone Station: lnwr_ath1734a

Close up of image 'lnwr_ath1734' showing part of Atherstone's goods yard and shed on the left and the incomplete lines adjacent to the new down platform. The site of the original level crossing can be still on the left in front of the up platform having been fenced off from the railway. The tall signal in the extra wide six-foot (the space between the sets of rails) is not thought to be that seen in image 'lnwr_ath1079' as it closer to the original down line. There are two workmen seen in the photograph, a figure below the signal cabin and another working in the four-foot - the space between the two rails of the same set of tracks - between the two signals.

Philip Millard writes "The photo was taken during reconstruction, with the new lines which will become the Down Slow and Down Fast lines on the right, but not yet in use (except for engineer's trains). The tracks appear to be temporary only, with the new Down Slow line running across the path of the new Down Fast to join the old Down Main (which will become the Up Fast). They are on the site of the former down platform, but it is unclear how downside passengers were served during the reconstruction. Possibly a temporary platform out of sight to the South.

The curve in the track is to avoid some structure (the old signal box?) which is now demolished - the tracks will be straightened later. The signals for the new Down Slow line are already in position. They will control movements Down Slow/Down Slow and Down Slow/Down Fast. The rings on the signal arms were the normal LNWR method of distinguishing slow or goods line signals. The tall signal on the left controlling the Down Main will be removed after it becomes the Up Fast, and there will be no signals on the new Down Fast at this point, but rather new starting signals for both roads about 100 yards behind the camera".

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