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The Charing-Cross Railway: the signal station on the north end of the bridge, 1864. Creator: Unknown
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The Charing-Cross Railway: the signal station on the north end of the bridge, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The Charing-Cross Railway: the signal station on the north end of the bridge, [London], 1864. 'The signal station...is remarkable for the ingenious character of its arrangements. By the use of one of Saxby and Farmer's patent signalling instruments, one man is enabled to conduct the whole of the numerous trains in and out of the station without difficulty; whereas, by the old-fashioned plan at least half a dozen men at a time would have been required...Of course the labour cannot now be performed without considerable care; there are, therefore, three signalmen employed at this one station, who have to relieve each other in turn. Posted in a glass room right over the lines, and commanding a full view both up and down, the signalman is enabled not only to communicate with the next signal-box, but to manage the switches which lie at least 109 yards off. When a train is about to leave the station it whistles twice, to signify "ready to go"; whereupon...the signalman adjusts the signal and, if necessary, operates on the switches. The signals at the other end of the bridge (from the signal-box they call the Belvidere) show all to be right, and away the train goes, to be signalled from station to station in the same way'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864
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Media ID 38079374
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City Of Westminster London England Communication Efficiency Public Transport Railway Station Railways Safety Signal Box Signalling Signals Station Train Station Westminster London England Charing Cross Railway Station Signal Station
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the Charing-Cross Railway signal station on the north end of the bridge in London, dating back to 1864. The image showcases the remarkable ingenuity of its arrangements, particularly with the use of Saxby and Farmer's patent signalling instrument that allowed one man to efficiently manage numerous trains entering and exiting the station.
In a glass room positioned right above the railway lines, three dedicated signalmen took turns overseeing operations and communicating with other signal-boxes along the track. With a full view up and down, they were able to adjust signals and operate switches located over 100 yards away as trains prepared to depart from the station.
The advanced technology showcased in this print revolutionized railway operations at that time, significantly reducing manpower requirements while ensuring safe and efficient train movements. The intricate system described in "Illustrated London News" from 1864 highlights how innovation played a crucial role in shaping transportation infrastructure during this era.
This historical snapshot serves as a reminder of how far we've come in terms of railway signaling technology, shedding light on an important chapter in London's rich transportation history.
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