GWR Route: Alcester to Hatton Junction

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Bearley Junction: gwrbj444b

In this close up of image 'gwrbj444' the bidirectional single line to Alcester can be seen passing behind the P & W (Permanent Way) line side hut circa 1934. The signal in this view is controlling access to the down line on the North Warwickshire line and because trains were expected to pass this point at slow speeds the arm is mounted on a low signal post. The P & W hut was constructed out of sleepers sunk into the ground with a bitumen covered timber roof and a brick built chimney. Not seen in this photograph but in image 'gwrbj447' was a small sliding door, approximately 3 feet off the ground, built into the side facing towards Bearley. it is thought this was to allow sighting of trains coming from this direction whilst being protected from the weather. Prior to the 1960s 'Clean Air Act', fog mixed with the smoke from coal, used extensively by both the public and industry, would create 'smog' which often lingered for days. In these circumstances it was often the case that the drivers of locomotives could not see the signal particularly at night. Fog men, often P & W men would be placed at signals to place detonators on the tracks providing the driver with an audible signal. The number of detonators used indicating whether the engine should either stop or move to the next signal.

Robert Ferris

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