Are you ready for…. SWINDON PANEL SUNDAY on Sunday 28 September?
That’s right, Swindon Panel Sundays start on 28 September, getting our hands dirty at Didcot Railway Centre with the GWS engineering team working on the new building that will eventually house Swindon Panel!
More information and all the future dates…
See you there!
The sun was out, the skies were blue, and Swindon Panel Society were all over the South Devon Railway!
Thank you very much to everyone who came along! We were joined by 28 Society members and guests at various stages though the day and we are especially grateful to the SDR for putting on such a fantastic show!
We had exclusive use of the DMU “Bubble Car” for the day, which started at Buckfastleigh where some members had arrived by car at 10am. A positioning move to Totnes saw the main contingent of members who had arrived by main line train join the day.
With everyone on board at 10.45 we travelled the length of the line with interesting features of note pointed out along the way, including the signals, crossings, and an explanation of the general block working arrangements.
On arrival at Buckfastleigh we split into two groups, with one group visiting the signal boxes there (North and South) and the other group travelled to Staverton to visit Bishops Bridge and Staverton Crossing Boxes.
The North Box at Buckfastleigh is the original box from when the line worked through to Ashburton in BR days. The South Box is the ‘new’ box, built when the line was in Dart Valley ownership, that controls the layout. There was also an excellent museum at Buckfastleigh, model shop, cafe, and plenty of action with the service train (with maroon L94 on the front) worked in and out.
On arrival at Staverton, with passengers de-trained, the DMU shunted over the level crossing into the Dock Siding to allow the service train to pass. When the steam train cleared the section to Buckfastleigh at 12.05, the DMU ran back empty to Buckfastleigh and arrived in the ‘loop’ line there at about 12.13 (each of the SDR terminus station has a platform only on one side). When the service train departed (moments later at 12.15!) the DMU shunted to the platform side to allow SPS guests to alight and board once again.
At 1.00 the DMU then took us all to Totnes to look around the arrangements there, picking up the Staverton group on the way. The signal box here, ex-Cradley Heath & Cradley East, is the railway’s current signalling “project” estimated for completion in 2016. The box normally works as a ground frame but can operated as a block post when required (and was open as such today). In this mode the method of block working between Bishops Bridge (Staverton) and Totnes changes from One Train Working with a Staff to Staff and Ticket.
After a look round Totnes, the DMU ran back to Buckfastleigh at 2.15, dropping off a group at Staverton to visit those signal boxes who had not visited them in the morning, with the other group visiting the boxes at Buckfastleigh.
There are two boxes at Staverton: Bishops Bridge (ex-Athelney [West]), which is the signal box and controls the passing loop and the block working, and Staverton Crossing, which controls the level crossing gates and slots on the protecting signals. The wooden building of Staverton Crossing was bought from the railway years ago and used by a local vicar as a garden shed leaving the lever frame exposed. The preserved SDR bought the building back and re-placed it over the top of the frame!
The last DMU trip of the day part of the event was originally timetabled to be 3.00 Buckfastleigh – Staverton only and back, in order to pick up the group at Staverton. But DMU driver Andy suggested that, in order to allow another visit to Totnes (and also provoke some ‘ticket’ working!) that the working could be extended to Totnes! Our train travelled from Bishops Bridge to Totnes on a green ticket, which authorises the driver to proceed without the staff, having seen the staff at Buckfastleigh satisfying the rules to ensure that it can’t be at the other end of the section, and making the line essentially one-directional until the staff follows on a following train.
On arrival at Totnes we shunted to the ‘loop’ line again to clear the platform for the arrival of the service train that followed us down with the staff at 4.15 (space interval being maintained by the block working between Totnes and Bishops Bridge, the following train not being allowed to depart Bishops Bridge until the preceding train arrives at Totnes, as per normal block working). When the service train arrived, we were issued another ticket (beige this time) to proceed back to Bishops Bridge without the staff (which followed on the service train, as above). We picked up the remaining members at Staverton on the way back and finished at Buckfastleigh at about 4.40.
With a break of about 40 minutes to look round the shop or museum or station on final time, our fish and chips evening meal was served up in the SDR restaurant at about 5.20 and taken back to the DMU for our evening outing! We travelled up the line once again to Nappers Halt, between Staverton and Totnes, and named after the former residential crossing keeper Mrs Napper. We alighted here (using a wooden latter to reach the ground-level platform designed for auto-trains!) and walked to the local public house – The Sea Trout Inn – where we all had a drink and a chatter!
A final walk back to the station at about 7.45 to catch the DMU for the final time, which ran to Totnes for those who had arrived by train and then to Buckfastleigh for those who arrived by car.
We said goodnight to our wonderful hosts and thank you for a brilliant day out. The signalmen on duty in Bishops Bridge and Buckfastleigh, Alex and Phil (both also NR signalmen and SPS supporters), along with their inspector Charlie in Ashburton Junction and colleague John in Buckfastleigh North, did a fantastic job of explaining the workings of their boxes and answering our many questions! The DMU driver and crew, Andy, Ernie and Alan, also really put on an excellent show, including many additions of ‘fun and games’ to the workings!
Photos are starting to appear of the day on Facebook and Flickr etc. Please do send yours in if you took some!
If you liked what you saw at the South Devon and think you might want to get involved in this excellent line then please see their website, which gives plenty of info, or contact us and we’ll put you in contact with Alex, Phil or Charlie.
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The SDR trip was one of the biggest events the Society has organised, not necessarily in terms of the numbers of attendees but in terms of the logistics and planning. As one person put it “Main line operators watch out – we’re in the charter trains business now!”. This is a bit of an exaggeration but it does illustrate that the SPS is no small operation now.
There are always things to learn from what we do, and as our first event of this magnitude we have certainly learned a lot! Please do give us your feedback about the event, particularly if you have not already done so; we are particularly keen to hear feedback from those who did not attend, and we are very grateful to those who have been open enough to give theirs. We have picked up some definite good points to the format and operation of the event that we will capitalise on in the future and some not-so-good ones that we will avoid in the future.
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Don’t forget, our next SPS jolly day out is to the NRM in November, working the Lancs & Yorks signalling school layout! Are you booked in yet?
It’s the beginning of the end for Swindon Panel…. but the beginning of the beginning of its preservation!
The August bank holiday weekend (2014) was, at one point, to be the date that Swindon Panel closed (this was the second planned date, the first was in May 2014).
The Swindon Panel area (except the Kemble Line) is to be ‘re-locked’ and ‘re-controlled’. ‘Re-locked’ as a new solid state interlocking would be provided to interlock the points and signals, replacing Swindon Panel’s current nine electromechanical interlockings, and ‘re-controlled’ as the system would be controlled from the Thames Valley Signalling Centre in Didcot, instead of Swindon Panel as currently. This is slightly different from a ‘re-signalling’, as the layout of points and signals on the ground will be largely the same as it currently is, so apart from changes to the numbers on the signals, and a few minor alterations to spacing, the system will appear generally the same to drivers.
In tandem with the re-lock and re-control taking place, the single line between Swindon Loco Yard and Kemble was due to be re-doubled and re-signalled. Although a separate project, this was due to take place at the same time.
Unfortunately, delays in the installation of the required equipment for the completely new signalling system meant that the entire panel area was not ready for resignalling in August, and the panel closure was deferred (as reported in earlier newsletters). The Kemble Line work, however, could not be deferred any longer. So this work DID take place over the bank holiday weekend.
Minety Crossing Box was due to close on Friday 1 August, but issues with the signalling circuitry design meant that, even though the highway was closed, the crossing box stayed open until 9 August 2014. On 9 August the crossing box closed and the signals were removed (MX1, MX1R, MX2, MX2R). Trains ran with the highway closed like this for a further 8 days.
The last Kemble Line train signalled by Swindon Panel was 2B99, 2201 (Mon) Cheltenham Spa to Swindon on Monday 18 August. (The last down train was 2G93). The line was then taken under engineer’s possession. At 0108 on Tuesday 19 August the Kemble signalling power supply was switched off. The signals went black, the panel went red, and the Kemble Line was gone from Swindon Panel forever. 27 July 1968 – 19 August 2014. 46 years and three weeks of service to Swindon MAS.
The heavy work then started, as track engineers worked to bring the new second track into service. At the Swindon Loco Yard end the double-to-single points were decommissioned and the up line slewed to its new formation to meet the newly-laid Up Kemble line. The crossovers at Rodbourne Jn had been laid in and out of use since some months before. At the Kemble end of the line the double-to-single points were decommissioned and the down line slewed to its new formation to meet the newly-laid Down Kemble line, just north of Kemble Tunnel. (The line being used as the ‘single’ changed from up to down along the way).
The new crossover at Kemble was brought into use. The crossovers at Rodbourne remain out of use for the time being.
Swindon Panel’s signals were removed and new signals for TVSC uncovered. The new signals have a prefix ‘SW’ (for SWindon area).
As a rough comparison, on the Down Kemble:
SN.44/46/48 from Swindon Station towards Kemble.
SW.1313, [replaces SN.150] stop signal (R/G), at Swindon Loco Yard.
SW.1319, new repeater signal (Y/G), for SW.1321.
SW.1321, new stop signal (R/G) near Bentham.
SW.1325, [replaces MX.1R] repeater (Y/G) for SW.1327, for Minety signal.
SW.1327, [replaces MX.1] stop signal (R/G), protecting signal for Minety LC.
SW.1331, [replaces SN.158R] repeater (Y/G) for SW.1333
SW.1333, [replaces SN.158] stop signal (R/Y/G + DA + JI 4), protecting Kemble Tunnel and station
SW.1337, [replaces SN.160] stop signal (R/G).
DK.94R, DK.94, Gloucester’s first automatic, as previously.
On the Up Kemble:
UK.94, Gloucester’s last automatic, as previously.
SW.1340, [replaces SN.147R] repeater (Y/G) for SW.1338
SW.1338, [replaces SN.147], stop signal (R/Y/G) protecting Kemble Station
SW.1334, [replaces SN.149], stop signal (R/G), on the end of the up platform at Kemble.
SW.1330, [replaces MX.2R], repeater (Y/G) for SW.1328 at Minety.
SW.1328, [replaces MX.2], stop signal (R/G) protecting Minety LC.
SW.1324, new repeater signal (Y/G) for SW.1322.
SW.1322, new stop signal (R/G) near Bentham.
SW.1318, [replaces SN.157R], near Moredon, repeater signal (Y/G) for SW.1316.
SW.1316, [replaces SN.157], stop signal (R/Y/G), protecting Rodbourne Jn.
SN.159, as previously.
Train detection is now by axle counters throughout. There has been a fairly long axle counter section between Moredon and Kemble Wick since 1989 (0600 on Monday 29 May 1989 to be precise!). This was provided due to the unreliability of the very long, multi-section track circuit that preceded it.
A new Alstom Smartlock interlocking fitted by Signalling Solutions and controlled by a Delta Rail IECC workstation was provided at TVSC to control the new signalling. At 0453 on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August the possession was withdrawn, and at 0500 the Swindon Workstation in TVSC opened for business. The first train signalled was 2Z22, 0529 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon. It ran on time (or 1E) all the way. If you have visited TVSC on one of our visits, the new Swindon desk it so the left of the Didcot desk.
Minety Level Crossing is still closed to road traffic (due to be commissioned on 28th August) as a CCTV level crossing (formerly manual gates), controlled from the Level Crossing workstation in TVSC.
Purton Common user-worked crossing was due to be upgraded to miniature red and green lights, but this has also not yet happened and the crossing remains as a UWC+T for the time being.
Another footpath crossing, Clovers, has been upgraded from UWC to UWC+T with the fitting of telephones for users. Gambols Farm and Gryphon Lodge remain as UWC+T.
The ground frame controlling access to the siding at Kemble survives(!) The Annett’s key now being released from the IECC.
Trains can now be turned-back in both directions at Kemble, by either arriving from Swindon in the up platform by means of the new facing crossover and changing ends, or arriving from Gloucester in the up platform and shunting to a Limit of Shunt on the Down Kemble south of the tunnel via the facing crossover, then back into the down platform.
The fringe between Swindon Panel and TVSC is easy to manage on the down, as Swindon Panel signal trains to their last exit button in rear of TVSC’s SW.1313, and TVSC control that signal, just like any other TCB fringe.
On the up, however, there being points in the overlap of Swindon Panel’s first signal (SN.159), TVSC has to be a little careful clearing their last signal (SW.1316) to avoid ‘snookering’ Swindon Station. For example, a down train leaving platforms 1 or 2 towards Kemble cannot depart while a train is signalled up to the signal immediately outside the station, SN.159, which is now Swindon Panel’s first signal. There are also routes on Swindon Panel to a limit of shunt in the overlap of SN.159! To combat all this, Swindon Panel has been provided with a slot in the equivalent position to SN.157, which controls TVSC’s last signal, SW.1316. This allows Swindon Panel to maintain flexibility in Swindon station with Kemble-bound trains on platforms 1, 2 and 3, while maintaining safety against the conflicting moves.
In Swindon Panel the panel tiles for the Kemble line have been removed or covered over and, of course, rescued for ultimate re-insertion into the panel in preservation. We are extremely grateful to Network Rail and their contractors for minimising the wiring alterations to the panel in the course of this work, including leaving the majority of the panel wiring in place for us. The only wiring alterations that have taken place are in connection with the provision of the slot switch.
The date for the migration of the rest of Swindon Panel to TVSC remains in the air – the ‘first part of 2015’ is the current official estimate…..
We are delighted to have arranged a visit to operate the Lancashire & Yorkshire Signal School layout at the National Railway Museum.
Those who have already expressed interest will be contacted shortly with details of how to secure a place. Remaining tickets are now available, first-come-first-served.
For full details of the event please see the event page on this website
As part of this Swindon Panel visit you will be able to turn your hand to being a signalman in one (or more!) of the signal boxes on the layout, each of which is equipped with a fully-interlocked miniature lever frame and full size block instruments. Each attendee will be allocated two half-hour slots on the layout during the day. At least one session observing others operating is definitely recommended for enjoyment and appreciation.
That also gives plenty of time for a good look round the rest of the National Railway Museum, exploring hundreds of years of railway history and thousands of objects that shaped its course.
Places on the Panel Society visit cost £10, which includes the “suggested donation” for entry to the NRM and to the group who operate the L&Y Layout.
In order to confirm your place on this outing please send us your ticket money by either card, PayPal, cash, cheque or online transfer via the instructions in the link above. We will confirm receipt of all ticket money.
We look forward to seeing you there!
There are now over 1100 photos in the Swindon Panel photo gallery!
There are a lot of photos of the panel itself at various staged in its history, and now there is a set of albums for around the area that Swindon Panel controls, showing signals, points, junctions and other trackside paraphernalia that goes with a signalling system!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonpanel/collections/72157645681529141/
We hope you like them!
It is now possible to order your tickets for the Family Day at the South Devon Railway, including signalling tour and signal box visits, online!
Visit the Ticket Page on HOPS to book yours now!
Full details of the event – here.
Have you got your ticket yet….?
Over 600 photos have been uploaded to the new Photo Gallery Site:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonpanel/collections
Photos have been uploaded into albums such as “Swindon Panel Through the Ages“, with a section for each decade; Around the Swindon Panel control area, where we have uploaded most of our photos of the area between Uffington and Swindon; and Society Events.
There are still lots of photos to upload, so keep your eyes peeled!
Do you have photos relevant to Swindon Panel, its control area or Society events that you would be happy to let us use? If so, please do send them to us!
We are pleased to announce that all our photos are steadily being uploaded to a new Swindon Panel Flickr site – https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonpanel/sets/
Thank you very much to the many supporters and contributors who have sent us their photos over time, they are all really useful in our research of the panel and our promotion of the Society. We hope you enjoy browsing through them!
If you have photos of a Swindon Panel Society activity of visit that we don’t already have then please do send them to us – Contact Details
Thanks! Danny S.
The ‘expressions of interest’ period for the Society Family Day at the South Devon Railway has now ended. Demand has not outstripped supply (there are over 60 seats on the train!), so everyone who has expressed interest may have a place. Details of how to confirm your place are on their way to you by email from Natalie and Mark, and also on this website here.
Tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis from now on. If the performance of our other events is anything to go by, they may well sell out relatively quickly! See the above link for how to book.
The Society Family Day is open to everyone – all SPS members, families, friends, followers, and complete strangers. We have exclusive use of the SDR Bubble Car for the day, and will be visiting all the signal boxes on the line. There is also an evening fish and chips add-on.
Full details on the website.
Saturday 5th July saw another excellent visit to a WR signalling panel – this time at Bristol. Like Swindon Panel, Bristol is a Western Region “turn-push” type panel.
Two groups enjoyed an informative and well-organised session in the panel building.
After the necessary safety briefing, the first hour was spent on the operating floor, where we were taken through the whole area covered by the panels – starting at Bridgwater, through Weston-super-Mare, Bristol Temple Meads and Bath on the main panel, then Filton, Bristol Parkway and finishing in Charfield and Badminton on the Stoke panel, which is physically separate. The various features of the locations were explained, what traffic was involved and which moves were possible. We had ample opportunity to photograph the installation and to talk to several of the duty staff who shared there excellent local knowledge about their routines and daily moves, including “tricks of the trade”; where, and where not, to regulate freight trains for example.
While we were in the operating room a late running FGW local service was routed onto the reversible line Up Charfield between Yate and Westerleigh to allow a CrossCountry fast service to pass on the Down Charfield. This is a fairly unusual move and it was a great bonus to see something of this nature while in the box. We also saw a track machine being authorised to pass a signal at danger to enter a possession. It was a really enjoyable morning gaining a close-up view of this panel and its functions.
We then adjourned to the relay room, where we were treated to Tony Cotterell’s excellent explanations of the complicated world of interlocking. We were taken through the four stages of interlocking operation – Selection, Locking, Aspect and Release – and showing us the various relays which carried out these functions. This gave us a comprehensive insight into the 1970’s interlocking technology and of the more recent updates and fault analysis systems.
Our third session was held in the room housing the training simulator. The simulator is of a fictional area designed to put signallers through their paces, and is of a different, more modern design to the panels at Bristol and Swindon. It was great fun to operate! We were able to learn how to set up and cancel routes and carry out safety procedures. Danny kept us on our toes with useful hints on how best to plan the various moves. We ended up spending over an hour comprehensively mucking everything up, all for the purposes of signalling education, of course!
All in all this was a fantastic day out with some great people – we learnt a lot, and had a huge amount of fun at the same time!
Thanks from all of us to Network Rail and the signallers on duty for accommodating our visit.
(Merged from two reports by John Hill and Tim Squires)