LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

Washwood Heath Sidings: mrwhg454

Another view looking towards Aston with the head shunt immediately in front of Washwood Heath signal box and the loop siding opposite running parallel with the down Aston to Stechford line. Traffic from Stechford requiring access to the MR main line would have had to proceed past the signal box and then reverse back via the crossover onto the up line before setting forward again to gain access to the single line branch. This was because wherever possible trailing crossings were installed as this was safer than facing point work which always stood a risk of a wheel splitting the two rails where they met. A trailing crossing could not be split as the motion of wheels pushed the rails together. 5th May 1961

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