Historic photographs of varied and
sometimes obscure Lincolnshire railway signals in the 1950’s have been
saved for posterity thanks to the generosity
of the Past President of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic
Vehicles Trust, Major J.A. “Tubby” Robins. See Here
Some half a century ago Major Robins was
seconded from the Army to the Eastern Region of British Railways to
study signalling systems. Much of his work was in Lincolnshire,
especially on the swing bridge at Crowle.
At the time, Major Robins compiled four
booklets, which he illustrated with his own photographs. He has kindly
made these available to Dave’s Railpics and for circulation
among members of the Trust and in due course, they will be presented to
the Signalling Record Society for safe keeping to be accessible to those
with an interest in historic signalling.
The four booklets cover:
1. Semaphore Running Signals
2. Running Electric Colour Light Signals
3. (Assorted) Shunting Signals
4. Curious and Historical Signals and Equipment.
Some examples from the books follow:
MS&L Lower Quadrant Distant Signal
Swivelling Disc Type Shunting Signal.
In use in Barnetby area.
In the ON position the signal shows a horizontal red bar on awhite
disc with a red aspect illuminated by a lamp.
When the signal is pulle off the top part of th esignal swivels showing
a red bar at an angle of 45 degrees on awhite disc with a green aspect
illuminated from the rear.
Three Position Semaphore Signal.
In use at Althorpe for Keadby, Gunness & Burringham.
This photo shows the signal in the ON position. It can be seen that
there are three aspects in the spectacle holder. These show Red Yellow
and Green. The possible positions of the signal are:- Horizontal - Stop.
at 45 degrees - Proceed but be prepared to stop at next signal. Vertical
- Proceed and the next signal is showing either a proceed aspect or a
proceed but be ready to stop at next signal indication. These signals
are worked by electricity.
Three Postion Semaphore Signal.
In use at Althorpe for Keadby & Burringham.
This shows the signal in the proceed postion.

(Photo - Paul
Hepworth)
Another shot of the Gunness 3
position signal (1971)
Barge Traffic Signal
In use at Crowle Swing Bridge.
This upper quadrant signal is controlled from the signal box which controls the swing bridge locks.
Barge Traffic Signal
In use at Crowle Swing Bridge.
This signal controls traffic in the opposite direction from the one in the previous photo.