Pushing Back
37250+37087 back 7M71, the steel “blooms” from Lackenby into the British Steel plant, Workington on 1 May 1984.
The semaphores in the picture are controlled by Moss Bay Iron Works signalbox - only just visible beyond the train as it curves out of sight. One thing that’s always puzzled me in this shot is this. Though not crystal clear from this old neg, but still clear enough to make out, there are two signals in the off position. To the right of the train a miniature arm for backing from the up line, across the down and into the works. On the left of the train, the down main is also off which is a conflict. I’m surprised even that the interlocking would allow them both to be off.
The most likely explanation for this has been suggested by my friend Allan Beck a former signalman who with his former railway S&T colleague John White speculate that the arm is jammed in the off position but the lever has been put back allowing the conflicting route to be set. Thanks to them for the explanation and for spotting the date anomaly now corrected.
Pushing Back
37250+37087 back 7M71, the steel “blooms” from Lackenby into the British Steel plant, Workington on 1 May 1984.
The semaphores in the picture are controlled by Moss Bay Iron Works signalbox - only just visible beyond the train as it curves out of sight. One thing that’s always puzzled me in this shot is this. Though not crystal clear from this old neg, but still clear enough to make out, there are two signals in the off position. To the right of the train a miniature arm for backing from the up line, across the down and into the works. On the left of the train, the down main is also off which is a conflict. I’m surprised even that the interlocking would allow them both to be off.
The most likely explanation for this has been suggested by my friend Allan Beck a former signalman who with his former railway S&T colleague John White speculate that the arm is jammed in the off position but the lever has been put back allowing the conflicting route to be set. Thanks to them for the explanation and for spotting the date anomaly now corrected.