Aviemore signal box

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Aviemore signal box 09/02/2020 at 21:33 #123211
TUT
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As many of you will be aware, Aviemore signal box (once Aviemore North, unless I'm much mistaken) recently closed.

For many years, it controlled various passing loops between Kingussie and Inverness from an NX (I believe) panel, as well as Aviemore station from a lever frame.

I'm quite interested in the mode of signalling, but unfortunately I've only been able to find one rather old and blurry picture of the panel. Don't mean to knock the photograph or its photographer, it's obviously an older photo, but it doesn't show enough detail to answer my questions.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/llangollen_signalman/5740039885/

I know the line was worked by TCB but I'd be interested to know how the fringes were worked. I gather there were slots to Kingussie and Inverness, but did Kingussie and/or Inverness also control slots on Aviemore's signals, or were the single lines to Kingussie and Inverness entirely Aviemore's responsibility. And what method was there, if any, for requesting a slot and how was a slot granted? Virtual signal, separate switch or something else? How were trains described? The picture shows lots of little boxes where one might expect TD berths, but they don't look like any TD berth I've seen before. Can anyone tell me more?

Last edited: 09/02/2020 at 21:35 by TUT
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Aviemore signal box 09/02/2020 at 21:35 #123212
headshot119
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That very photographer is a member of this forum, and I'm sure he can shed some light on it.
"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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Aviemore signal box 09/02/2020 at 21:39 #123213
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That very photographer has supplied me with a treasure trove of information and hours of pleasure too and I hope he won't feel slighted by my description of his photograph, it's just I've not yet found any photos showing the kind of detail I'm after, but I thought it worth mentioning what I had found to give somebody a place to start
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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 11:21 #123214
Andrew G
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It worked under Track Circuit Block regulations to Inverness Signalling Centre and Kingussie using Single Stroke Bell to describe trains.

The 'Little Boxes' you refer to were a simplified Train Describer which only displayed the class of train to assist with regulating. These were entered by the Aviemore Signalman and I understand they weren't in use towards the end of the panels life.

Routes were slotted in both directions at the fringes. Here is the Inverness end:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/llangollen_signalman/49515683507/in/dateposted/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/llangollen_signalman/49514941448/in/photostream/

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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 13:08 #123215
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Thank you very much indeed :)

You wouldn't happen to know how Kingussie granted the slot to Aviemore would you? I know I'm probably testing your memory a bit here But to judge by these modern photos, taken after Inverness SC took over Aviemore,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143044320@N08/47719616942/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/143044320@N08/46855652945/

The only likely candidate if the slot was given by a lever is "up route lever - 17", but I would have thought that was for the Up and Down Loop line at Kingussie itself. Although I can't help but notice that the lever lead for number 10 lever does not appear to require 17 reverse for 10 reverse, which I would have expected if 17 lever was for the Up and Down Loop line.

Or am I looking in the wrong place and it was a switch on the block shelf?

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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 14:29 #123217
Andrew G
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I've not been to Kingussie but it will be Lever 17.

It has the same colour as 7 and 26 in Aviemore which were described as the Up Route Lever and Down Route Lever respectively.

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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 18:55 #123220
Ron_J
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Perhaps these will be of interest...?






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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 18:56 #123221
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Some more..






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Aviemore signal box 10/02/2020 at 23:11 #123233
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Thank you so much to you both! :)

Oh my, whatever happened to produce that discolouration down at the right hand end of the panel, I wonder?

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Aviemore signal box 11/02/2020 at 06:15 #123239
Ron_J
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TUT in post 123233 said:
Thank you so much to you both! :)

Oh my, whatever happened to produce that discolouration down at the right hand end of the panel, I wonder?
The panel fascia was made of an unusual type of plastic called Darvic - that’s what happens when it overheats.

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Aviemore signal box 11/02/2020 at 12:36 #123240
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It looks like it was actually in a fire.

Still, shame it's history now, bet it would have been a really nice box to work indeed.

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Aviemore signal box 11/02/2020 at 12:37 #123241
TUT
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Andrew G in post 123214 said:
It worked under Track Circuit Block regulations to Inverness Signalling Centre and Kingussie using Single Stroke Bell to describe trains.

The 'Little Boxes' you refer to were a simplified Train Describer which only displayed the class of train to assist with regulating. These were entered by the Aviemore Signalman and I understand they weren't in use towards the end of the panels life.

Routes were slotted in both directions at the fringes. Here is the Inverness end:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/llangollen_signalman/49515683507/in/dateposted/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/llangollen_signalman/49514941448/in/photostream/
So you are the Llangollen signalman I take. Can I just say, thank you so much for your work, I've browsed through all your pics and regularly check Flickr just to see if you've put up any new ones.

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The following user said thank you: Andrew G