West Junction
Western Thunderer
Hi Dan
here are some of my fathers photos, unfortunately they are not of the highest quality. You mentioned you went into the box several years ago, in the 60's when my father was on duty I just had to drive up, park next to the box and wander in. In those days it was quite different to what you would have seen. Then the vertical train describer at the back of the route setting panel was fully working with the train reporting number following the train. At each end were the results from the hot box detectors with the numbers counting up as each axle passed and only stopping to show the axle on which a hot box was detected. At that time there were three signalmen on duty, the box was bright inside with plenty of daylight coming in. In about 2000 I was in Slough and walked over to where the box was, now it was surrounded by security fencing with cameras etc. I pressed the communication device on the gate, explained who I was and asked if I could visit the box. After a full grilling by an inspector they kindly allowed me in, it was quite different to how I remembered it with a large fish tank, no daylight and a lot of people who seemed very young and unlike the signalmen of my father's generation but as you say very friendly. What surprised me was that they were now providing the station announcements. I believe that the box will be closing when the signalling centre at Didcot opens.
I think this photo was taken in early 60's (somebody might know the year), it is the only one that shows (rather badly) the coaling stage.
The next photo shows the box and turntable pit and rather surprisingly at this late date a 72xx
The following are a few general shots
The turntable was not the normal GWR over girder type but of similar style to the one now at Didcot. All the information you would need is in the Wild Swan Book GWR London Division Engine Sheds by Chris Hawkins & George Reeve.
Peter
here are some of my fathers photos, unfortunately they are not of the highest quality. You mentioned you went into the box several years ago, in the 60's when my father was on duty I just had to drive up, park next to the box and wander in. In those days it was quite different to what you would have seen. Then the vertical train describer at the back of the route setting panel was fully working with the train reporting number following the train. At each end were the results from the hot box detectors with the numbers counting up as each axle passed and only stopping to show the axle on which a hot box was detected. At that time there were three signalmen on duty, the box was bright inside with plenty of daylight coming in. In about 2000 I was in Slough and walked over to where the box was, now it was surrounded by security fencing with cameras etc. I pressed the communication device on the gate, explained who I was and asked if I could visit the box. After a full grilling by an inspector they kindly allowed me in, it was quite different to how I remembered it with a large fish tank, no daylight and a lot of people who seemed very young and unlike the signalmen of my father's generation but as you say very friendly. What surprised me was that they were now providing the station announcements. I believe that the box will be closing when the signalling centre at Didcot opens.
I think this photo was taken in early 60's (somebody might know the year), it is the only one that shows (rather badly) the coaling stage.
The next photo shows the box and turntable pit and rather surprisingly at this late date a 72xx
The following are a few general shots
The turntable was not the normal GWR over girder type but of similar style to the one now at Didcot. All the information you would need is in the Wild Swan Book GWR London Division Engine Sheds by Chris Hawkins & George Reeve.
Peter
I worked on the P/Way at Slough for a year or so on leaving school (1977) and remember seeing the turntable pit. It had been pretty much back-filled with soil, ballast, grass etc., but you could still make out the engineering bricks around the circumference and I believe, they may subsequently have been removed by the GWS and taken to Didcot.
