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A rare, possibly unique, photo of the block shelf and lever frame at Bilton Siding signal cabin in a later stage of its existence. The presence of what looks like a small Signal Post Telephone Concentrator at the far end of the shelf, the track diagram with illuminated track circuit indications and the direct line ‘box to box’ telephone nearest to the camera show that the picture was taken after it became a ‘fringe box’ to the new signalling controlled by Rugby Power Signal box, commissioned over the weekend of 22nd /24th September 1964. The block instrument for the section from Marton Junction is to the left of the track diagram and looks like it is in use, ‘pegged up’ to ‘Train on Line’, suggesting that the photo was taken before Marton Junction signal box was abolished on 4th June 1967. The lever frame was a London & North Western Railway ‘tumbler’ locked frame, movement of a lever raised or lowered a notched ‘hook rack’ beneath the floor which, via small cranks, moved the ‘locking bars’ horizontally to lock or unlock other levers as required. These frames, with their characteristic stirrup catch handles, were common on most ex L&NWR lines. A later development was to extend the catch handles out a couple of inches and use them to drive lighter and more compact ‘tappet’ locking. Bilton Siding signal box was replaced by ground frames on Sunday, 22nd September 1968. Dave Blower
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