British Rail Vignettes #11 Stockport station, carriage sidings and Box No 2 interior 24 May 2000

[@andyditchfield9757]

that guy in the grey pants, it was like poetry in motion, awesome, no2 signal box .

[@lawrencecody9316]

I loved working these boxes..the view from No.2 was brilliant...

[@hollyhamilton3094]

How early was ILC? sent given the short blocks?

[@lawrencecody9316]

@@hollyhamilton3094 ILC was sent upon receipt,unless the platforms were occupied, permissive working could be introduced for passenger trains only that were stopping.Permissive was amended to be put in, only for "times of disruption" ,and if the platform was occupied,then AB was used, waiting for TOS from Stockport 1,therefore referring back to AB,sending ILC upon receipt was usually done on the down to H/Norris,,unless station workings deemed it differently...AB was in use from S1 to E1,in both directions,again passing on upon receipt,where possible..

[@j.a.g1291]

@@lawrencecody9316could you clear any signals before you got confirmation from the box ahead that line is clear? The clearing points must be shorter than normal, no? It’s crazy to think that there’s still these boxes in Stockport that use levers and AB. Stockport 1&2, edgely junction 1&2, and Heaton Norris junction are all still in use I believe. From what I’ve heard they’re staying until at least 2025, but I’m not sure of their fate after that. I don’t think there’s been any plans to replace them yet.

[@lawrencecody4085]

Under A.B. you have to obtain a line clear, from Stockport 1 to clear the up signals into the station. On the Down to Heaton Norris, we have a starter on the viaduct, on both fast and slow lines, so you could drop a train to the starter, awaiting acceptance from Heaton Norris..The only exception to A.B.on the Up, was putting in Permissive Working, where you had to get acceptance/permission from SK.1 to drop another train in behind another into an occupied platform, ensuring the following trains would all fit in the platform, this only applied to passenger trains, booked to call, or a following train going to assist a failed train. The clearances are very short, especially between S1, E1, and E2.probably around 200 yds, and not the normal 440yds under A.B.working..The latest I have heard is 2025 for abolition, but it keeps getting put back, as you may be aware, 2000 was ther inital year for abolition, but the Ansaldo system was not suited to the job it was installed to do, and only Cheadle Hulme was abolished, with bi-di working put in between C/Hulme and Sandbach, following the closure of Wilmslow, and Sandbach boxes. A re-furb of all 5 boxes was undertaken ,with the addition of Platform 0.built on the Up Goods, the route is the through Up Main Line.. @@j.a.g1291

[@j.a.g1291]

@@lawrencecody4085 yeah I heard about the ansaldo system. It’s fascinating how this small section has retained A.B. and it’s encased by TCB from big signalling centres. On that note, how do trains go from TCB to AB? Does Heaton Norris see the train approach from TCB, set its route and from then on, bell codes are used for absolute block? Similarly, I assume Heaton Norris doesn’t need line clearance to send trains into TCB? I want to become a signaller myself, and being based in the Manchester area, getting to work one of these signalling boxes before they are decommissioned would be a dream come true!

[@argenvia]

Fifteen years later the cab signal remains ?? greeting

[@david-othen]

+argenvia As far as I know the signal box is still in use. However I live in Canada so it is not easy to check!

[@argenvia2]

+David Othen thank you David !!

[@david-othen]

+argenvia2 You are most welcome. Looking on Google Maps the signal box is still there!

[@cedarcam]

@@david-othen A little update for you The box is still in use today 29/04/23. I am not sure how much longer it will be there, it is good you got some video in there.

[@stephenseville4724]

Kevin Dowd haha

[@david-othen]

I assu