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 Bournemouth. One of the most recent boxes to close has been Branksome. This was

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:

·        Weymouth

·        Upwey

·        Moreton

·        Worgret Junction

·        Holton Heath

·        Parkstone

·        Hinton Admiral

 

Weymouth still has the redundant box in situe. Line now controlled by Dorchester south. Along with Upwey, which had a box on the northern side of the bincombe tunnel – a lot of mystery surrounds the box and tunnel, it is believed that there was activity there during the war, but I cannot work out quite what went on, along with many others.

 

Moreton too is now controlled by Dorchester as well, this may be a good thing because there is a single track between Moreton and Dorchester. Which was made signal after Dorchester Panel came into use!

 

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?)

Hinton between 1965 – 2002, but can say for sure that it is today run by Bournemouth Signalling Centre (PSB) and has some very smart looking equipment on site.

A blurred view of some signalling equipment, which is used nowadays for the modern Bournemouth PSB