GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Harbury Cutting and Tunnel: gwrhc2521

An unidentified ex-GWR Hall Class locomotive approaches the West end of Harbury Tunnel on 9th February 1952. On the right can be seen the results of engineering work where stone has been used to provide a stepped wall in order to stablise the excavation and prevent the embankment from slipping on the line. On the left adjacent to the signal is a Permanent Way hut which would have been used to store materials used along the line. Just visible over the roof is the sloping roof of a fogman's hut where the fogman would sit during periods of poor visibility. He would be in telephone contact with the signal box and would place detonators on the line, the number of which would advise the driver whether to stop, proceed at caution, etc. Robert Ferris writes, 'A Fogsignalman was required at critical signals when fog or falling snow meant the semaphore signals may not be visible to a train’s driver. They were provided with coloured lamps, red, green and yellow flags and at least 36 detonators. The Fogsignalman was required to place detonators on the track and replicate the position of the semaphore signals with their lamps and flags. At facing junctions, when a secondary route was selected (without prior notice being given to the train’s driver), the Distant signal was required to be retained at Caution and the Fogsignalman would display a yellow light, exhibit a yellow flag and place a detonator on the track (where there was ATC, two detonators were placed 10 yards apart).'.

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