S&T reference folder 1969

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

John Wagstaff and David Josey who ran the FR Signal Gang from late 1968 were very much aware that most people in the gang were not railway signal engineers and many were not even professional railwaymen. Thus they did not have access to the documents and drawings that John and David had, working as they did in Croydon head office of the SR S&T. John and David therefore put together a series of drawings and issued them to regular members. Some of these drawings were copies of training sketches that the Southern Railway/Southern Region S&T training section issued, some were new drawings they drew ourselves. The SR S&T management were well aware of the excellent practical training that the young signal engineers were getting when volunteering on the FR, that they agreed to the use of these drawings. The drawings were Foolscap Folio size and were issued in ring backed folders to sub groups and individuals in the Signal Gang. As they are drawn on foolscap folio size sheets they do not quite scan vertically onto an A4 sheet, so some sheets are shown on two pages.

The object was to help individuals expand their knowledge of signalling matters and to act as a reference. Some were of more relevance to the FR than others, though including a third-rail conductor clearance drawing was surely tongue in cheek! The inclusion of a WBS style L miniature lever power frame was also done mischievously, though perhaps one could say, with hindsight, that they had prescience, as one is now working at Harbour Station. John and David were looking to the future when neither of them would be around the FR. These drawings are now offered to people in the same spirit. For the full folder index see S&T reference folder 1969 index.

Some of these drawings have been, and others will be, used to illustrate articles in the FR Heritage Group Journal. These articles are referenced against the appropriate drawing. Notes are attached to drawings to better explain the working and use of the equipment, and where it has been used on the FR.

S&T: Signal and Telecommunications (formerly Telegraph).

WBS: Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company - manufacturers of S&T equipment.

Sykes, Stevens: Other manufacturers of S&T equipment.

SG-1 Painting of levers in a signal box

SG-2 ditto

SG-3 ditto

SG-4 Painting of signals (two drawings)

SG-7 CLS Straight post

SG-8 Understanding the structure gauge

SG-11 Mechanical semaphore wire adjuster - screw

SG-12 Mechanical semaphore wire adjuster - wheel

SG-13 Mechanical Point Detection

SG-14 Mechanical Point operation (two drawings)

SG-15 Mechanical Point Compensator settings - Imperial

SG-16 Metal numbers & letters used to identify point ends – screwed to sleeper

SG-21 Simple mechanical locking explained (two drawings)

SG-23a Stevens elevated lever frame

SG-23b Stevens ground lever frame

SG-24 WBS A2/A3 elevated lever frame (four drawings) that were intended for use first at TYB

SG-25 WBS L style miniature lever frame as used in Porthmadog Harbour station signalbox.

SG-31 Methods of attaching circuit controllers to elevated lever frames

SG-34a Hand plunger

SG-34b Foot plunger

SG-40 WBS LCC - methods of attaching to elevated lever frame (two drawings)

SG-41 Circuit controller(CC) arrangements for a lever frame CC (two drawings)

SG-42 Circuit controller contacts and springs (two drawings)

SG-42 WBS lever lock operation (two drawings)

SG-44 WBS Lever lock & throw-down operation (two drawings)

SG-45 WBS Lever lock - lock proving & economiser contacts (two drawings)

SG-61 Rotary 2-way circuit controllers primarily designed for semaphore arm detection (two drawings)

SG-62 Upper quadrant semaphore - On & Off settings

SG-63 Fitting arm position detector to SR style shunt signal

SG-64 Electrical banner repeater signal (two drawings)

SG-72 -1&2 Silec Treadle (two drawings)

SG-76 Fouling bars - use of (two drawings)

SG-152 Signaling relay - DC neutral

SG-153 Signaling relay - DC interlocked

SG-156 Signaling relay - polar stick type (two drawings)

SG-157 Post Office relay - 3000 type (two drawings)

SG-158 Uniselector - principle of operation

SG-185 Single stroke bell (two drawings)

SG-301 Mechanical signal wire termination - using binding wire (two drawings)

SG-302 Mechinical signal wire - splicing two wires together (two drawings)

SG-303 Wire rope termination - sleeve method (two drawings)

SG-304 Telegraph pole - terminating a stay-wire using a thimble

SG-305 Telegraph pole - leading-in wires (two drawings)

SG-306 Telegraph pole - fixing braces

SG-307 Signal wire termination - without binding wire

SG-311 Insulated rail joint (IRJ)

SG-313 Track circuit rail bonding - straight joint

SG-347 Spagnoletti needle


  • SG-1 Colours to be used to paint levers in signal boxes

    SG-1 Colours to be used to paint levers in signal boxes

  • SG-2 Painting of levers

    SG-2 Painting of levers

  • SG-3 Painting of levers

    SG-3 Painting of levers

  • SG-4a Painting of signals

    SG-4a Painting of signals

  • SG-4b Painting of signals

    SG-4b Painting of signals

  • SG-7 CLS (colour light signal) straight post - typical of Minffordd Down Home and Tan y Bwlch Up Home c1970. A ladder and a telephone were not provided at either place.

    SG-7 CLS (colour light signal) straight post - typical of Minffordd Down Home and Tan y Bwlch Up Home c1970. A ladder and a telephone were not provided at either place.

  • SG-8 Understanding positioning of signals relative to the structure gauge

    SG-8 Understanding positioning of signals relative to the structure gauge

  • SG-11 Mechanical semaphore with screw adjuster for signals relatively close to signalbox– only adjustable by lineman

    SG-11 Mechanical semaphore with screw adjuster for signals relatively close to signalbox– only adjustable by lineman

  • SG-12 Mechanical semaphore with wheel adjuster that signalman could use. Used for signals further away from signalbox where the expansion & contraction of the signal wire, due to temperature changes during the day and night could affect the setting of the signal. Note. The Down Home somersault signal at Harbour had a 'sergeant' (vertical crank) in the wire run.

    SG-12 Mechanical semaphore with wheel adjuster that signalman could use. Used for signals further away from signalbox where the expansion & contraction of the signal wire, due to temperature changes during the day and night could affect the setting of the signal. Note. The Down Home somersault signal at Harbour had a 'sergeant' (vertical crank) in the wire run.

  • SG-13 Mechanical point detection - schematic

    SG-13 Mechanical point detection - schematic

  • SG-14a Mechanical point operation - schematic

    SG-14a Mechanical point operation - schematic

  • SG-14b Mechanical point operation - schematic

    SG-14b Mechanical point operation - schematic

  • SG-15 Mechanical Point Compensator settings - Imperial

    SG-15 Mechanical Point Compensator settings - Imperial

  • SG-16 Metal numbers & letters used to identify point ends – screwed to sleeper

    SG-16 Metal numbers & letters used to identify point ends – screwed to sleeper

  • SG-21a Simple mechanical locking explained

    SG-21a Simple mechanical locking explained

  • SG-21b Simple mechanical locking explained

    SG-21b Simple mechanical locking explained

  • SG-23a Stevens elevated lever frame

    SG-23a Stevens elevated lever frame

  • SG-23b Stevens ground lever frame. Colloqually known as a 'knee' frame. The ground frame used at the bottom end of Dduallt when first signalled in 1972 was a four lever knee frame , if not a Steven's, then very similar.

    SG-23b Stevens ground lever frame. Colloqually known as a 'knee' frame. The ground frame used at the bottom end of Dduallt when first signalled in 1972 was a four lever knee frame , if not a Steven's, then very similar.

  • SG-24-1 Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company (WBS) style A2/A3 elevated lever frame – drawn by John Wagstaff. Such a WBS lever frame was going to be installed in the signalbox at Tan y Bwlch in the early 1970s

    SG-24-1 Westinghouse Brake & Signal Company (WBS) style A2/A3 elevated lever frame – drawn by John Wagstaff. Such a WBS lever frame was going to be installed in the signalbox at Tan y Bwlch in the early 1970s

  • SG-24-3 The WBS A2/A3 lever frame used catch handle locking

    SG-24-3 The WBS A2/A3 lever frame used catch handle locking

  • SG-24-2a WBS A2/A3 lever frame. Over 200 of these levers were bought, dismantled and transported to the FR between 1969 and 1971

    SG-24-2a WBS A2/A3 lever frame. Over 200 of these levers were bought, dismantled and transported to the FR between 1969 and 1971

  • SG-24-2b WBS A2/A3 lever frame. See FRHGJ 122 Summer 2015 and 126 Summer 2016 for the story of how the lever frames arrived on the FR.

    SG-24-2b WBS A2/A3 lever frame. See FRHGJ 122 Summer 2015 and 126 Summer 2016 for the story of how the lever frames arrived on the FR.

  • SG-25 WBS style L miniature lever frame,as now used at Harbour Station. The earlier K style frame had mechanical locking between levers actuated by the gearing below the lever, which in this drawing actuates contact bands that detect the position of the lever. The front electric lever lock shown is not needed on the K frame. FRHGJ 118 Summer 2014 has more details.

    SG-25 WBS style L miniature lever frame,as now used at Harbour Station. The earlier K style frame had mechanical locking between levers actuated by the gearing below the lever, which in this drawing actuates contact bands that detect the position of the lever. The front electric lever lock shown is not needed on the K frame. FRHGJ 118 Summer 2014 has more details.

  • SG-31 Methods of attaching rotary arm contact boxes to elevated frames. The rotary contacts were adjustable and could detect the lever in various positions of its stroke

    SG-31 Methods of attaching rotary arm contact boxes to elevated frames. The rotary contacts were adjustable and could detect the lever in various positions of its stroke

  • SG-34a Hand plungers were usualyy mounted vertically on the block shelf fascia board in signal boxes to ring bells and release lever locks etc. Sometimes they were all brass – brightly polished – and sometimes of other material, such as bakelite.

    SG-34a Hand plungers were usualyy mounted vertically on the block shelf fascia board in signal boxes to ring bells and release lever locks etc. Sometimes they were all brass – brightly polished – and sometimes of other material, such as bakelite.

  • SG-34b Foot plungers were generally used to release a lever lock on an elevated lever frame. They were not widely used.

    SG-34b Foot plungers were generally used to release a lever lock on an elevated lever frame. They were not widely used.

  • SG-40a WBS LCC – Lock & Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. A beautiful piece of equipment! Behind the lever, above the floor, was the preferred position - Tan y Bwlch signal box would have had such LCCs mounted in this position, with room for a technician to bend down to do maintenance and fault finding.

    SG-40a WBS LCC – Lock & Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. A beautiful piece of equipment! Behind the lever, above the floor, was the preferred position - Tan y Bwlch signal box would have had such LCCs mounted in this position, with room for a technician to bend down to do maintenance and fault finding.

  • SG-40b Not a 'nice' position. Dust, spilt tea, etc. could drop on them making the techician's job very mucky

    SG-40b Not a 'nice' position. Dust, spilt tea, etc. could drop on them making the techician's job very mucky

  • SG-41a WBS Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. Similar to that used in an LCC.

    SG-41a WBS Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. Similar to that used in an LCC.

  • SG-41b

    SG-41b

  • SG-42a WBS Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. Shown as a typical arrangement how to adjust the position of the contact rings to detect specific positions of a lever.

    SG-42a WBS Circuit Controller - for a mechanical lever frame. Shown as a typical arrangement how to adjust the position of the contact rings to detect specific positions of a lever.

  • SG-42b Typical arrangement of the contact springs for a rotary controller and how to adjust them.

    SG-42b Typical arrangement of the contact springs for a rotary controller and how to adjust them.

  • SG-44a WBS Lever lock - for a mechanical lever frame. Lock operation.

    SG-44a WBS Lever lock - for a mechanical lever frame. Lock operation.

  • SG-44b WBS lever lock throw-down operation.

    SG-44b WBS lever lock throw-down operation.

  • SG-45a WBS Lever lock - lock proving contacts.

    SG-45a WBS Lever lock - lock proving contacts.

  • SG-45b WBS lever lock - economiser contacts.

    SG-45b WBS lever lock - economiser contacts.

  • SG-61a Rotary 2-way circuit contact box. These were used c1970 to detect the position of the rodding to the facing points and facing point locks at Minffordd, Penrhyn and TYB. They were also used to detect when most of the gates at Penrhyn level crossing were across the road.

    SG-61a Rotary 2-way circuit contact box. These were used c1970 to detect the position of the rodding to the facing points and facing point locks at Minffordd, Penrhyn and TYB. They were also used to detect when most of the gates at Penrhyn level crossing were across the road.

  • SG-61b Similar in design to the WBS circuit controllers used on lever frames.

    SG-61b Similar in design to the WBS circuit controllers used on lever frames.

  • SG-62 Upper quadrant semaphore – On and Off positions & rotary detector box fitted. One of these boxes was fitted to the summersault Up Advance signal at Harbour. The first (upper quadrant) Up Home signal at Dduallt was not detected.

    SG-62 Upper quadrant semaphore – On and Off positions & rotary detector box fitted. One of these boxes was fitted to the summersault Up Advance signal at Harbour. The first (upper quadrant) Up Home signal at Dduallt was not detected.

  • SG-63 Fitting of arm detector to SR style mechanical shunt signal. A similar shunt signal, without detector, was used at Dduallt as a mechanical banner repeater to the first mechanical Up Home signal

    SG-63 Fitting of arm detector to SR style mechanical shunt signal. A similar shunt signal, without detector, was used at Dduallt as a mechanical banner repeater to the first mechanical Up Home signal

  • SG-64a Both upper quadrant & lower quadrant versions were made. TYB Up Home currently has a large banner repeater similar to this diagram.

    SG-64a Both upper quadrant & lower quadrant versions were made. TYB Up Home currently has a large banner repeater similar to this diagram.

  • SG-64b The small banner repeater on the FR platform at Harbour Station (old goods shed wall) is similar to these drawings. Originally the Harbour repeater was unusually a red stop signal before finding its way to the FR.

    SG-64b The small banner repeater on the FR platform at Harbour Station (old goods shed wall) is similar to these drawings. Originally the Harbour repeater was unusually a red stop signal before finding its way to the FR.

  • SG-72-1 JMW sketch of Silec Treadle. See Train detection for how they were used c1970 to replace colour light and motor operated semaphore signals to RED by the passage of a train.

    SG-72-1 JMW sketch of Silec Treadle. See Train detection for how they were used c1970 to replace colour light and motor operated semaphore signals to RED by the passage of a train.

  • SG-72-2 JMW sketch & description of Silec Treadle

    SG-72-2 JMW sketch & description of Silec Treadle

  • SG-76a. Fouling bars are used at Rhiw Goch. In the diagram lever 4 works a mechanical fouling bar.

    SG-76a. Fouling bars are used at Rhiw Goch. In the diagram lever 4 works a mechanical fouling bar.

  • SG-76b. Bar T is used because the rail surface could become contaminated by oil and rust and thus a single vehicle standing there would not be detected by track circuit A.

    SG-76b. Bar T is used because the rail surface could become contaminated by oil and rust and thus a single vehicle standing there would not be detected by track circuit A.

  • SG-152 Shelf mounted relays were used in mechanical lever frame signal boxes from the early days of widely used electricity for additional interlocking and the control of electrical signals – whether colour light or motor operated semaphore. On the FR c1970 they allowed electrical point detection and opposing locking to be added to the controls of the colour light home signals and the motor operated Up Advance at Harbour. They came in 4 and 6 contact versions.

    SG-152 Shelf mounted relays were used in mechanical lever frame signal boxes from the early days of widely used electricity for additional interlocking and the control of electrical signals – whether colour light or motor operated semaphore. On the FR c1970 they allowed electrical point detection and opposing locking to be added to the controls of the colour light home signals and the motor operated Up Advance at Harbour. They came in 4 and 6 contact versions.

  • SG-153 Mechanically interlocked relays – actually two relays mounted together, with both mechanical and electrical means preventing both relays being energised at the same time. They were usually used for point detection. Very large, and more modern versions of this configuration were used at Minffordd in the second stage of its re-signalling in the early/middle 1970s.
    SG-153  Mechanically interlocked relays – actually two relays mounted together, with both mechanical and electrical means preventing both relays being energised at the same time.   They were usually used for point detection. Very large, and more modern versions of this configuration were used at Minffordd in the second stage of its re-signalling in the early/middle 1970s.
  • SG-156a Polar relays, though not the stick type, were often used in mechanical signaling to detect the position of a semaphore arm. They were very low current relays that were operated from a battery at the signal with a centre tap. Thus they used only three wires, or just two if earth return was used, to detect the arm in the ON and the OFF position – see SG-62 for arm settings.

    SG-156a Polar relays, though not the stick type, were often used in mechanical signaling to detect the position of a semaphore arm. They were very low current relays that were operated from a battery at the signal with a centre tap. Thus they used only three wires, or just two if earth return was used, to detect the arm in the ON and the OFF position – see SG-62 for arm settings.

  • SG-156b This diagram shows the 'stick' circuit. The relay stayed in the last position called, until called to the other position. Indicators, showing the position of a signal, were often wired in series with these relays and operated in a similar manner. They were usually mounted on the block shelf fascia board. Non-stick devices, such as arm repeater indicators hang vertically unless called to either the right or the left.
    SG-156b This diagram shows the 'stick' circuit.  The relay stayed in the last position called, until called to the other position.   Indicators, showing the position of a signal, were often wired in series with these relays and operated in a similar manner.   They were usually mounted on the block shelf fascia board.   Non-stick devices, such as arm repeater indicators hang vertically unless called to either the right or the left.
  • SG-157a PO 3000 type relay – used widely in strowger telephone exchanges. Also used in some signalling installations for non-safety circuits.

    SG-157a PO 3000 type relay – used widely in strowger telephone exchanges. Also used in some signalling installations for non-safety circuits.

  • SG-157b Slow drop and slow pick - to use signalling terms - relays are also used where these characteristics are required in the controls.
    SG-157b Slow drop and slow pick - to use signalling terms - relays are also used where these characteristics are required in the controls.
  • SG-158 The uniselector – central to the Strowger telephone exchange.

    SG-158 The uniselector – central to the Strowger telephone exchange.

  • SG-185a Single stroke bell – a simple yet very important piece of equipment for communicating. It facilitated safer and faster working of railways.

    SG-185a Single stroke bell – a simple yet very important piece of equipment for communicating. It facilitated safer and faster working of railways.

  • SG-185b Some bell circuits had their own primary cell battery. Some worked from a central battery that fed all the signalling circuits. Central batteries use secondary cells that are trickle charged from a mains supply.
    SG-185b Some bell circuits had their own primary cell battery.  Some worked from a central battery that fed all the signalling circuits.  Central batteries use secondary cells that are trickle charged from a mains supply.
  • SG-301a. Mechanical signal wire termination - using binding wire. See also SG-307

    SG-301a. Mechanical signal wire termination - using binding wire. See also SG-307

  • SG-301b. Mechanical signal wire termination - using binding wire.
    SG-301b.  Mechanical signal wire termination - using binding wire.
  • SG-302a. Mechanical signal wire – splicing two wires together.

    SG-302a. Mechanical signal wire – splicing two wires together.

  • SG-302b. Mechanical signal wire – splicing two wires together.
    SG-302b.  Mechanical signal wire – splicing two wires together.
  • SG-303a. Mechanical signals - wire rope is used to take a ‘wire run’ round a wheel when a change of direction is required – see SG-11 & 12.

    SG-303a. Mechanical signals - wire rope is used to take a ‘wire run’ round a wheel when a change of direction is required – see SG-11 & 12.

  • SG-303b.
    SG-303b.
  • SG-304 Telegraph pole – terminating a stay-wire using a thimble.

    SG-304 Telegraph pole – terminating a stay-wire using a thimble.

  • SG-306 Telegraph pole – fixing braces.

    SG-306 Telegraph pole – fixing braces.

  • SG-305a. telegraph pole – a method of attaching the leading-in wires.

    SG-305a. telegraph pole – a method of attaching the leading-in wires.

  • SG-305b.
    SG-305b.
  • SG-307 Signal wire termination – without binding wire. See also SG-301.

    SG-307 Signal wire termination – without binding wire. See also SG-301.

  • SG-311 Insulated rail joints (IRJ) electrically isolate two sections of track. This is required for conventional track cicuits .
    SG-311 Insulated rail joints (IRJ) electrically isolate two sections of track.  This is required for conventional track cicuits .
  • SG-313 Track circuit bonding at straight joints. This is to ensure adjacent sections of rail are electrically connected to enable track circuits to work.

    SG-313 Track circuit bonding at straight joints. This is to ensure adjacent sections of rail are electrically connected to enable track circuits to work.

  • SG-347 The Spagnoletti movement .
    SG-347 The Spagnoletti movement .
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