The South Devon Railway Signal and Telegraph Group are
one of the active groups of the South Devon Railway
Association and are responsible for the maintenance of the line's three
operational signal boxes. They were instrumental in the development
of the Bishop's Bridge site near Staverton and the fitting out of the latest
signalbox at Totnes.
Now that the loop and associated signalling is complete
at Staverton we are able to run more than one train simultaneously
on the branch with the year 2000 timetable containing, for the first time,
more than 30 days of multiple train running. Over the following years
this has steadily grown as the greater operational freedom allows other
services to be run such as private charters
and Driver Experience courses to co-exist without
interfering on the normal services.
Buckfastleigh currently has two signalboxes; the original
GWR one at the north end of the site which was taken out of use when the
A38 was built on the trackbed between Buckfastleigh and Ashburton and a
newer one at the south end which currently controls the train movements.
The new "South" box was built at the Totnes end of the
station and for reasons of cost was positioned under the footbridge.
One day there might be yet another new "South" box or, if we succeed in
returning to Ashburton, then the "North" box will be re-instated.
Buckfastleigh South 'Box |
At Staverton there are also two 'boxes; the original crossing
'box opposite the platform and Bishop's Bridge Signal Box which was originally
built by the Great Western Railway at Athelney when it was speeding up
its route from Paddington to the West.
Athelney 'box was transported to Devon and has been rebuilt
on its new site just North of Staverton station.
Here are a few pictures of it prior to its move.
Athelney Junction Signalbox in situ |
At Totnes Littlehempston there's a new 'box known as Ashburton
Junction being built to replace the original 'box demolished at the turn
of the century when the 'box on the Up platform of Totnes station was extended
to control the branch line.
Our "new" 'box has been recovered from Cradley Heath
near Birmingham and is rapidly nearing completion.
For a fuller story click here.
Ashburton Junction Signalbox rises above tracks at Totnes Littlehempston. |
"Ashburton Junction Track Layout proposals 2005"
Ashburton Junction layout 2013 – click on image for full size pdf. N.Perring |
A bracket signal at Evesham in 2011 soon to be at Ashburton Junction. Photo N.Perring |