Signal Box Interiors

My father seemed to have a knack of talking his way into signal boxes.  It probably helped that he was friends with several signalmen in the Birmingham area - Vic Goodwin at Marston Green and, later, Stechford, Reg Beresford at Kings Heath, David Clay at Bournville and Edgar ? at Kings Norton.  These atmospheric shots provide a real glimpse of the past.  If you can provide any information to enhance the captions then please get in touch.

New St No. 2 Box - 20/3/54

New St No. 2 Box lay between platform 8 and 9 at the eastern end of the station.  There is an exterior view on the New Street Station page.

Bordesley Jct Box - 31/3/54

This is my favourite of the interior shots - it really captures the feeling of being in the box over fifty years ago! I was a little confused since the Bordesley Junction box seen on the Bordesley Junction page looked modern while this interior looked quite old.  Thanks to Simon who explained that the interior and exterior pictures were most likely of the same box as the box pictured was, "an LMS 'ARP' box, designed to be rather more resistant to bomb damage that the traditional part-, or all-wooden ones.".  In fact, Simon provided a very detailed analysis of the picture above that is available here for those that are interested.

Saltley Jct Box Interior - 25/4/54

A nice pair of shots showing the interior and exterior of Saltley Junction box.  I believe the road bridge to the right is Saltley Viaduct and Saltley Station was just under the bridge.

Interior Duddeston Rd Box - 20/3/55

The new Duddeston Road box under construction.  The upper shot shows there is still much work to be done on the interior, the lower shows the new box dwarfs the old.  Saltley Gas Works dominates the picture.

Lifford Box Interior - 28/9/59

This looks like a flash was used to capture the interior of Lifford Box.

M.R. Oil Lamp, Lifford Box - 28/9/59

A little detail picked out by my father when he took the shot directly above - an original Midland Railway oil lamp.

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