Closed Signal Boxes
Over
many years there has been more and more signal boxes closed in favour of large
Signal Centres, which are cheaper to run and give a larger view of an area.
Two
signal centres on the line are at Dorchester South and |
|
Closed
in favour of the Bournemouth Signalling centre introduced as a direct influence
of the Dorset Coast Resignalling Scheme.
Other
places that have lost their boxes include:
·
·
Upwey
·
Moreton
·
Worgret
Junction
·
Holton Heath
·
Parkstone
·
Hinton Admiral
Moreton too is now controlled by Dorchester as well, this may be a good thing because there is a single
track between Moreton and
Worgret
junction (Jcn) lost its box in 1976 when the branch
line to Swanage was closed in the famous “Beeching
Cuts”, this must have been one of the biggest cut to laugh at, nowadays there is talk of a new passenger service. There
is industry that uses the line too. |
Former Site of Worgret Jcn box |
Holton
heath lost its box in November 1968 it now has no signals at all, and has lost
all of its sidings once used at its height in the WWII – connected with Upwey. Holton Heath must be the box which was in use for
the shortest period, 1916 – 1968, I’m sure that industry there today could use
the sidings if they were still there – there is a huge industrial estate!
Location
Of Old Box |
Hinton
Admiral lost its box in 1965. Now you’re thinking that there is a lesser
lived box than Holton Heath, No. Hintons’ Box was
opened in 1886.
I am unsure which other box operated (Bournemouth?) |
A
blurred view of some signalling equipment, which is
used nowadays for the modern |