Signals

[PinzaC55]

I found this nice picture of a somersault at Ludborough http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/Li ... _four.html I walked this bit of line in 1980 and there was an armless signal which I took a photo of, but the slide has darkened over the years so it is more or less impossible to reproduce. Does anyone from the LWR know if this signal is on it's original site?

[StevieG]

Just to add my little bit.
These arms moved by the action of the rod after passing through the post about halfway up.

Signal not in its original location.
Any guesses?

Nice photos of a very interesting signal there Bryan.
The main (l/h) arm looks rather to me like being of Stevens manufacture, but wouldn't like to comment on the small one.

While bearing in mind that this thread's title is just "Signals", as several of the most recent posts have been about somersault signals (but acknowledging that Bryan makes no reference to either of these two arms being of the somersault type), - just a note to perhaps clarify for some that, although the right-hand (small) arm in these photos may have some similarity with the previously pictured somersault signals, I think most of the signalling fraternity would say it's not a proper somersault.
This is because the spectacle plate is an integral part of the arm rather than being an independent part of the signal's mechanism, although it does look to be at least 'halfway there' owing to the type and slimness of the bracket that it's mounted on.

[StevieG]

I found this nice picture of a somersault at Ludborough http://ukrailways1970tilltoday.me.uk/Li ... _four.html I walked this bit of line in 1980 and there was an armless signal which I took a photo of, but the slide has darkened over the years so it is more or less impossible to reproduce. Does anyone from the LWR know if this signal is on it's original site?

Good photos that you have linked to there Pinza.
It's the first time I've seen a somersault arm that's moved more than 90 degrees to its 'Off' position!

[Mickey]

Deleted

[StevieG]

For the real signalling connoisseur(s) when it came to Upper quadrant semaphore signal arms themselves what was defined as a 'good un' was the 'bounce'??.

The bounce was only detected at a few number of signals between Kings Cross & Hitchin & beyond and 40 years on it's very hard to recall which signals had them back in the early 1970s?, i think maybe Wood Green Up box no.2s Up slow home signal which was mounted on the tall gantry had a nice bounce to it when it was returned to danger the arm would bounce up & down 3 or 4 times before the arm would finally come to a rest and remain in the horizontal position only.

Most other semaphore signals around the area had a 'dead bounce' which meant that when they were returned to danger they just fell back to the on position with little or no bounce at all.

I'd say that, a lot of the time Micky, as a very rough rule of thumb, the nearer to the box a signal was (though whether there was point detection in the wire run would've affected this), the more easily it could drop to 'On', and the more likely it would bounce more - Though the condition/stiffness of the buffer spring would also have a bearing on this.
A most extreme example was the Up Fast Second Home at New Southgate which was right outside the north end windows (and having co-acting arms; the top one being on a right-hand bracket) : This was such a light pull that it could tend to encourage one to put it back more gently than most, but if you did put it back hard, both arms would bounce (loudly) at least eight times, and out of 'synch' with each other as well.

[Mickey]

Deleted

[Bryan]

Just to add my little bit.
These arms moved by the action of the rod after passing through the post about halfway up.

Signal not in its original location.
Any guesses?

Nice photos of a very interesting signal there Bryan.
The main (l/h) arm looks rather to me like being of Stevens manufacture, but wouldn't like to comment on the small one.

While bearing in mind that this thread's title is just "Signals", as several of the most recent posts have been about somersault signals (but acknowledging that Bryan makes no reference to either of these two arms being of the somersault type), - just a note to perhaps clarify for some that, although the right-hand (small) arm in these photos may have some similarity with the previously pictured somersault signals, I think most of the signalling fraternity would say it's not a proper somersault.
This is because the spectacle plate is an integral part of the arm rather than being an independent part of the signal's mechanism, although it does look to be at least 'halfway there' owing to the type and slimness of the bracket that it's mounted on.

Pinza got the location spot on.
Steamport Southport. I helped out in the re erection of them back in the late 70s
The signals themselves were recovered from Liverpool Riverside station, however since the closure of Steamport and its relocation to Preston I do not think they survived the move.
I may be wrong though.

[PinzaC55]

Just to add my little bit.
These arms moved by the action of the rod after passing through the post about halfway up.

Signal not in its original location.
Any guesses?

Nice photos of a very interesting signal there Bryan.
The main (l/h) arm looks rather to me like being of Stevens manufacture, but wouldn't like to comment on the small one.

While bearing in mind that this thread's title is just "Signals", as several of the most recent posts have been about somersault signals (but acknowledging that Bryan makes no reference to either of these two arms being of the somersault type), - just a note to perhaps clarify for some that, although the right-hand (small) arm in these photos may have some similarity with the previously pictured somersault signals, I think most of the signalling fraternity would say it's not a proper somersault.
This is because the spectacle plate is an integral part of the arm rather than being an independent part of the signal's mechanism, although it does look to be at least 'halfway there' owing to the type and slimness of the bracket that it's mounted on.

Pinza got the location spot on.
Steamport Southport. I helped out in the re erection of them back in the late 70s
The signals themselves were recovered from Liverpool Riverside station, however since the closure of Steamport and its relocation to Preston I do not think they survived the move.
I may be wrong though.

Bryan, is the wooden bracket in this photo of Liverpool Riverside anything to do with those signals?
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/l/li ... dex6.shtml

[Mickey]

Deleted

[Bryan]

Bryan, is the wooden bracket in this photo of Liverpool Riverside anything to do with those signals?
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/l/li ... dex6.shtml

Don't think so as the date is about 12 - 15 years too late.
Erected in Southport around mid late 70s.

[Mickey]

Deleted

[PinzaC55]

There were some super examples of NER lower quadrants in use on the Wensleydale line until 1982 and elsewhere. This one was the Finghall Lane Up Distant - I think the post is still there but they haven't restored it which is a disgrace in my opinion
Also note the early style of telegraph pole with staggered arms.

Finghall Lane Up Distant 1978 par PinzaC55, on ipernity
Further down the line there was this NER revolving gate signal, looked after by a vintage crossing keeper

Ainderby Gates Hut and Signal par PinzaC55, on ipernity

[Iron Duke]

Here are a couple of images of an unknown signal post for possible identification / discussion.
The original slide colour composition is poor and the the board face is white, but as you will see it has not scanned to well.

[PinzaC55]

That's a GNR somersault signal fitted with an electrical contactor box on the rear (to repeat the indication of the arm in the signalbox). No idea where but if it was 1970's - early 80's it was likely the Skegness branch.

[52D]

Pinza excellent pic of the revolving crossing signal, I am aware of them but its first time ive seen one in colour. Were they edge on for the train to pass? did they fit in to the rest of the signalling network ie did they fit in to block arrangements or were they localised signals for controlling road crossings in isolated areas?

I can also remember a splendidly isolated NER signal on the Amble branch which has been in several publications.