Age restrictions

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Age restrictions 17/11/2011 at 20:20 #23160
Class 92
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359 posts 		I was wondering weather when you do signal box visits there is any age restrictions since I am 11 but will be 12 in feb.
I have already been in every signal box along the Crewe-Shrewsbury line.
Last edited: 17/11/2011 at 20:21 by Class 92
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Re: Age restrictions 17/11/2011 at 20:55 #23163
headshot119
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4869 posts 		If it is an "official" visit then I believe network rail usually stipulate an age restriction of 16. However if you know someone who works in the box that most likely won't matter, but they are "unofficial" visits.

Preserved lines vary.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Re: Age restrictions 17/11/2011 at 21:18 #23164
GeoffM
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6288 posts
Online 		As per Karl!
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Re: Age restrictions 18/11/2011 at 07:48 #23199
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
If it is an "official" visit then I believe network rail usually stipulate an age restriction of 16. However if you know someone who works in the box that most likely won't matter, but they are "unofficial" visits.

Preserved lines vary.
Ok thanks
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Re: Age restrictions 18/11/2011 at 10:37 #23211
kbarber
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1712 posts 		" said:
I was wondering weather when you do signal box visits there is any age restrictions since I am 11 but will be 12 in feb.
I have already been in every signal box along the Crewe-Shrewsbury line.

Beware! If there's a proper DI down that way he's probably already sizing you up as a potential signalman. Even though he doesn't officially know you exist.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 08:01 #23324
Class 92
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359 posts 		I am not joking, I really am eleven.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 10:06 #23325
ralphjwchadkirk
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275 posts 		" said:
" said:
I was wondering weather when you do signal box visits there is any age restrictions since I am 11 but will be 12 in feb.
I have already been in every signal box along the Crewe-Shrewsbury line.

Beware! If there's a proper DI down that way he's probably already sizing you up as a potential signalman. Even though he doesn't officially know you exist.

It won't be long before he's filling in the train register for the signalman
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 10:58 #23327
TomOF
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452 posts 		" said:
" said:
I was wondering weather when you do signal box visits there is any age restrictions since I am 11 but will be 12 in feb.
I have already been in every signal box along the Crewe-Shrewsbury line.

Beware! If there's a proper DI down that way he's probably already sizing you up as a potential signalman. Even though he doesn't officially know you exist.

That would involve a move to Cardiff then, because the boxes on that line aren't long for this world.

I must admit, at that age I was peeking in the windows of the many manual boxes that once existed in my hometown, none of which I ever got the chance to enter.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 11:49 #23329
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
" said:
" said:
I was wondering weather when you do signal box visits there is any age restrictions since I am 11 but will be 12 in feb.
I have already been in every signal box along the Crewe-Shrewsbury line.

Beware! If there's a proper DI down that way he's probably already sizing you up as a potential signalman. Even though he doesn't officially know you exist.

That would involve a move to Cardiff then, because the boxes on that line aren't long for this world.

I must admit, at that age I was peeking in the windows of the many manual boxes that once existed in my hometown, none of which I ever got the chance to enter.
The signalbox nearest me which is Press will be gone in february!!!
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 21:10 by GeoffM
Reason: Potential for getting people into trouble (unintentional, I know)
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 12:04 #23330
Class 92
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359 posts 		[/quote]It won't be long before he's filling in the train register for the signalman :)[/quote]

I would prefer to be a train driver really but anything on the railway i will be happy with.
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 12:06 by Class 92
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 12:11 #23331
Class 92
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359 posts 		I will be going in Whitchurch signalbox soon even thourgh its closed
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 12:11 by Class 92
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 12:52 #23334
postman
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47 posts 		I used to go up to Prees signalbox over 25 years ago. It has not changed much in that time. Is the down distant signal still a semaphore one ?
According to the rail press, its now Bank holiday next August 2012 when they are due to close.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 13:01 #23340
ralphjwchadkirk
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275 posts 		[-]
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 21:11 by GeoffM
Reason: Quoted text deleted from earlier post so this is now redundant.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 13:05 #23343
nickjames1983
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6 posts 		I agree i work for nwr and they frown on things like that happening these days not like it use to be i visited alot of boxes when doing possessions but there would be no chance of me signalling trains
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 13:48 #23358
Class 92
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359 posts 		I was helped by him he told me what to do he did also do some signals and block bells I only did the train entering section bell which is 2 bells

Do you think it will be a bad idea if I put up some photos or not.
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 21:11 by GeoffM
Reason: Quoted text deleted from earlier post.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 13:52 #23359
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
I used to go up to Prees signalbox over 25 years ago. It has not changed much in that time. Is the down distant signal still a semaphore one ?
According to the rail press, its now Bank holiday next August 2012 when they are due to close.
There still is all four semaphore signals I can post a photo up of the out side of the signal box if you want me to.
Also what day was the date said to you because the area manager said it was going late february.
Last edited: 20/11/2011 at 14:05 by Class 92
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 21:13 #23381
GeoffM
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6288 posts
Online 		I've trimmed the potentially troublesome text out of a few posts. Best to be careful as sometimes one gets to do things which are not strictly permissible.
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Re: Age restrictions 20/11/2011 at 21:16 #23382
headshot119
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4869 posts 		Good shout Geoff, we don't want to get anyone into trouble.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Re: Age restrictions 21/11/2011 at 11:17 #23398
kbarber
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1712 posts 		" said:
I am not joking, I really am eleven.

I believe you... absolutely. I have to say I'm a kindred spirit... I think I pulled my first lever at the age of 10. Not one to do things by halves, I think that was the Up Fast Home and I was pulling off for a Deltic + 8 tonning it London-wards. That was in Biggleswade (formerly Biggleswade South) on the Kings X Main Line and it was over 40 years ago!

More recently, I was caught up Finchley Road (Midland Main Line) by the Divisional Inspector! Les Bowler knew when he could afford to shut his eyes; nothing was ever said and I've still never officially admitted in his hearing what he knew full well: that I'd been working the box. A few months later my path into railway employment and the signalling grade was immeasurably smoother than most (even though no-one officially knew I'd ever had any contact with the railway); that, though, was 1978.

Later still, as a station manager (British Rail days, when it was an operating position), I was party to a conversation along the following lines:
Admin Assistant: "I've had an application from a lad who wants to be a signalman... and a note from Relief Signalman X who's been covering Box A, supporting the application." (Voice dropped to a whisper...) "Between you and me I think he's been doing the job."
Operations Manager, who made it clear he hadn't - for official purposes anyway - heard the whisper: "Get him in for interview... we'll find him a job."
But that was 1987.

Sadly, the world has changed and this kind of thing is really, rather than just officially frowned on these days. I do hope the local management don't read this forum, or you might find yourself unwelcome and your host(s) in trouble.

Enjoy your visits as long as you're able; as others have said, those boxes aren't long for this world and visiting their replacement will be pretty much impossible even if you do get yourself to Cardiff. Please be discreet; photos mightn't be the best idea and photos that identify people, dates or times would be a very bad idea (even just the date of a photo would allow management to eliminate all but 2 people from the possible hosts, perhaps even reduce it to one person especially if there's 12 hours working involved). After that, the best you'll manage is probably to get involved with the Exeter West lads at Crewe (although you may be VERY lucky and manage some visits at Shrewsbury if your friend(s) end up there). But Exeter West will give you a chance at a big & complex box and I think their simulation is pretty top-notch, it really will be just like working the real thing, so don't despair.
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Re: Age restrictions 21/11/2011 at 11:44 #23401
DaveHarries
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1272 posts 		92,

I have photos of Prees, along with Whitchurch, Wem and Wrenbury, but have never been into them. Nice looking box that one. I did those photos on the same day as I did the boxes in Shrewsbury. Got some good shots courtesy of some help from, shall we say, a couple of unexpected sources. Nothing done without permission though. Total for the day was 149 photos.

I may pull another trip up that way if the chance arises as I could do with some photos of Wrenbury that aren't in near / complete darkness. I could also do Nantwich to complete the line. I know I haven't got long though.

Dave
Last edited: 21/11/2011 at 11:47 by DaveHarries
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Re: Age restrictions 21/11/2011 at 16:03 #23433
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
After that, the best you'll manage is probably to get involved with the Exeter West lads at Crewe (although you may be VERY lucky and manage some visits at Shrewsbury if your friend(s) end up there). But Exeter West will give you a chance at a big & complex box and I think their simulation is pretty top-notch, it really will be just like working the real thing, so don't despair.
I have been in Exeter West signalbox when i went to a model exibition there.
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Re: Age restrictions 22/11/2011 at 16:55 #23484
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
I believe you... absolutely. I have to say I'm a kindred spirit... I think I pulled my first lever at the age of 10. Not one to do things by halves, I think that was the Up Fast Home and I was pulling off for a Deltic + 8.
I did it for a class 158
Last edited: 22/11/2011 at 16:57 by Class 92
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Re: Age restrictions 22/11/2011 at 17:17 #23486
Sam Tugwell
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493 posts 		37037 + 5 Mrk 1s was my first train i signalled
"Signalman Exeter"
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Re: Age restrictions 22/11/2011 at 17:29 #23487
Class 92
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359 posts 		" said:
37037 + 5 Mrk 1s was my first train i signalled :)
Where did you do that at?
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Re: Age restrictions 22/11/2011 at 17:31 #23489
jc92
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3631 posts 		first thing i signalled (once actually signed off to work the box) was an 8f and 7 mk1s/2s
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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