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LMS Route: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

Washwood Heath Sidings: mrwhg621

British Railways Type 4 1Co-Co1 No 82 is seen passing Washwood Heath Sidings No 1 Signal Box on a down express three weeks before the box was downgraded

British Railways Type 4 1Co-Co1 D 82 is seen passing Washwood Heath Sidings No 1 Signal Box on a down express three weeks before the box was downgraded to a shunting frame. 3rd August 1969. The rapid decline in goods traffic is evidenced by the state of the track of the down Camp Hill track to the right. This colour photograph shows how drivers were able to distinguish which of the signals was applicable to their train. On the left there are three sets of stop and distance signals. The stop signal controls or in railway parlance protects the section immediately ahead, whereas the distant signal warns the driver whether the stop signal for the following section is clear or at danger.

To the driver of an approaching train the stop signal is painted red with a white vertical stripe to the left of the arm. The distant signal is however painted yellow and has a vee notch cut in to the end and a black vee stripe on the left. The reverse of the signal arm is painted white to ensure that drivers cannot be confused. During the night the stop signal displays a green light in the 'off' or clear position and a red light when in the 'on' or danger position and the Distant signal displays a green light in the 'off' or clear position and a yellow when in the 'on' or caution position.

The Type 4 class of diesels were built by English Electric between 1958 and 1962, and eventually numbering 200, they were for a time the pride of the British Rail early diesel fleet. Despite their initial success, by the time the last examples were entering service they were already being replaced on some top-link duties by more powerful locomotives. As they were slowly relegated from express passenger uses, the type found work on secondary passenger and freight services where they worked for many years, the final locomotives being retired from regular service in 1985.

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