Signals Collection (#8)

House Flags and Funnels. circa 1910

Union Pacific Streamliner train, City of Los Angeles
Union Pacific Streamliner luxury train, named the City of Los Angeles, operating between Chicago and Los Angeles in just under 42 hours. Date: circa 1937

Capital ship of a modern battle fleet by G. H. Davis
The capital ship of a modern battle fleet: a drawing of a typical British aircraft carrier, showing the general arrangements between decks, and two British innovations. Date: 1953

The Torbay Express at Taunton Station, Somerset, c. 1939
A view of the Torbay Express being hauled by an unknown Castle Class locomotive at Taunton Station in Somerset, c.1939. Taunton station opened in July 1842 with an unconventional design

Taunton Station, Somerset, c. 1950s
A view of the gantry signals at Taunton station in Somerset, c.1950s. The image also shows a number of railway buildings and rolling stock in the sidings in the background

Westbury Station, Wiltshire, c. 1920s
A view of Westbury Station in Wiltshire, looking north, c.1920s. The image shows signals and a large number of different goods wagons in the sidings

Truro railway station, Cornwall. Around 1910
View from the footbridge looking east with a passenger train and a goods train waiting at the platforms. Photographer: Arthur William Jordan

Tenbury Wells Station, Worcestershire, c. 1960s
A view of Tenbury Wells Station on the Worcestershire-Shropshire border, c.1960s, showing the signalbox, signals and platforms from track height

Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire
A view of locomotive No. 4553 sitting at platform 2 at Worcester Shrub Hill station, with the arches of the goods shed visible on the left

Lostwithiel Station, Cornwall, September 1956
A view of Lostwithiel station, Cornwall, September 1956. The goods shed can be seen to the right of the picture. Lostwithiel opened in 1859 and closed in 1964

Uffington Station, Oxfordshire, April 1959
A view of locomotive No. 1365 pulled up at Uffington station in Oxfordshire in April 1959. The signals, station building, signal box and some passengers on the platform are all visible

Engine number 29 on the North Yorkshire Morrs Railway circa 1970. Stopped at signals

East side of the Eddystone Lighthouse, Eddystone Rocks, offshore Rame Head, Devon, England. From Old England: A Pictorial Museum, published 1847

Lighthouse in the Fjords of Norway
Hellisoy Lighthouse, a remote lighthouse on an island in the Western Fjords of Norway with sun rays reflecting through a stormy sky; Hordaland, Norway

Illustration depicting a signal box at London Bridge Station
Illustration depicting a signal box, used to communicate with trains and other signal boxes, at London Bridge Station. Dated 19th century

Illustration depicting French naval hand signals alphabet, 19th century
Illustration depicting French naval hand signals alphabet

Illustration depicting the system of signalling by flag semaphore, telegraphy system, 19th century
Illustration depicting the system of signalling by flag semaphore

Illustration depicting French military signals using an optical field telegraph, 19th century
Illustration depicting French military signals

Hand with thumbs up sign
Hand With Thumbs Up Sign

Microphone connected to Oscilloscope

The North East gives a railway lead. - The Diesel-electric railbus leaving Newcastle Central Station on 26th September 1933

The tracks and signals on the approaches to Glasgow Central Station

Two boy scouts on an outdoor activity, Mauritius, signalling with a flag

British Railways - The Flying Scotsman - Bittern Class
British Railways - The Flying Scotsman (Bittern Class - Dominion of New Zealand - No 4492) - the new streamlined engine introduced on this route on 4th July 1938. Date: 1938

Smoke Signal Statue, Pioneer Park, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Smoke Signal Statue, dedicated to the Nebraska Indian, Pioneer Park, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Date: 1941

International code of Signals flags and House Flags. circa 1910

Handheld police signal, labelled Halt, Polizei, german for Stop! Police

Locomotive at Noel Park & Wood Green Station, London
Locomotive standing at Noel Park & Wood Green Station. This card shows the railway Bridge over High Road, Wood Green, London

Naval Signal Flags - Greeting - Christmas Postcard. The translation of this flag series translates as: Keep a Bright. Look Forward (signalled by International code). Date: circa 1910s

Lord Kelvin, caricature C015 / 6712
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907). Caricature of the British physicist and mathematician William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin. Kelvin was co-discoverer in 1852 of the Joule-Thomson effect

Italian Fiat 15 Ter chassis with photoelectric unit, WW1
An Italian Fiat 15 Ter chassis with an auto-photoelectric unit attached, in use during the First World War. Date: 1915

Grey Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) sitting with its mouth open, side view

Royal Navy Lieutenant and signal boy, c1890-c1893. A print from Her Majestys Navy Including its Deeds and Battles, by Lieut Chas Rathbone Low, Volume III, JS Virtue & Co, London, 1890-1893

Royal Navy sailor signalling, c1890-c1893. Artist: William Christian Symons
Royal Navy sailor signalling, c1890-c1893. A print from Her Majestys Navy Including its Deeds and Battles, by Lieut Chas Rathbone Low, Volume III, JS Virtue & Co, London, 1890-1893

Signalling by semaphore on board HMS Camperdown, 1895. Artist: Gregory & Co
Signalling by semaphore on board HMS Camperdown, 1895. A print from The Navy and Army Illustrated, 20th December 1895

Signallers of the Yorkshire Regiment, New Zealand Hill, South Africa, Boer War, 1900Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Signallers of the Yorkshire Regiment, New Zealand Hill, South Africa, Boer War, 1900. Yorkshire signaling from New Zealand Hill, held after their commanders had Fallen, Jan 14th, to Rensburg

Steam train at Acton, West London, on the Great Western Railway. Date: circa 1920s

French Railway Alphabet - C for Cantonnier (trackman). 19th century

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"Unveiling the Art of Signals: A Journey through Time and Technology" Step into the fascinating world of signals, where human ingenuity meets technological marvels. This captivating poster, produced for British Railways in 1969, showcases a railway worker skillfully operating signals by hand, and is a testament to their dedication and expertise in ensuring safe journeys along the tracks. In Reading Signal Works' Clock Shop, time intertwines with precision as every tick synchronizes with the movement of trains. The year 1969 marks an era when manual operations still played a vital role in railway signaling systems. Delving deeper into the intricate workings of our nervous system, we encounter synapse nerve junctions captured under a TEM microscope. These tiny connections enable lightning-fast communication within our bodies—a remarkable parallel to how signals guide trains on their routes. The majestic HMS Victory sails triumphantly into Portsmouth Harbour, reminding us that even grand vessels rely on precise signaling to navigate treacherous waters safely. Just like railways depend on well-coordinated signals for smooth sailing across vast networks. Leominster Station stands frozen in time on June 27th, 1950—an emblematic moment showcasing how hand-operated levers controlled train movements meticulously. The steam locomotive Sir Nigel Gresley from Welwyn Garden City chugs forward gracefully—its power harnessed by skilled engineers who masterfully interpret these visual cues. No less impressive is No 5082 Swordfish—a Castle class locomotive departing Scours Lane hauling eleven carriages behind it. Hand signals demonstrated by staff from Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway exemplify the importance of clear communication between those responsible for guiding these mighty machines safely along their tracks. As we approach a railway crossing at Newcastle-on-Tyne or witness its counterpart at Newcastle-upon-Tyne—the significance of proper signalization becomes evident once again. Ensuring harmony between road traffic and rail transport demands meticulous coordination and adherence to signals.