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LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

Washwood Heath Sidings: mrwhg1008

Washwood Heath Sidings No 1 Signal Box seen on 25th October 1964 was one of three boxes controlling traffic leaving Birmingham

Washwood Heath Sidings No 1 Signal Box seen on 25th October 1964 was one of three boxes controlling traffic leaving Birmingham. See image 'mrwhg1014' for a schematic layout of the western side of Washwood Heath Sidings. According to The Signal Box, 'the Midland Railway pursued its own ideas right from the very start of signalling, and the Tumbler locking frame (introduced around 1870) was their first design to be built in large numbers. In a complete departure from other manufacturer's practice, the entire locking frame was built above operating floor level, with the lever catches and interlocking mechanism all encased in a black metal surrounding. This feature had several benefits, apart from cleanliness, in that it allowed maintenance to be carried out in good light and also permitted low or ground level cabins to be built without complication. A side benefit, given that the lever pivoted above signalman's foot level, was that the levers were easy to get a powerful swing on. This style was perpetuated right through to the British Railways era on the London Midland Region.'

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