Sheffield Park Signal Box
There are four collections covering the stations: (a) Sheffield Park Station; (b) Horsted Keynes Station; (c) Kingscote Station; and (d) Bluebell Railway's East Grinstead Station (including the construction).
Signal boxes have separate collections: (a) Sheffield Park Signal Box; (b) Horsted Keynes Signal Box; and (c) Kingscote Signal Box (including the old southern box).
Two collections show lineside views: (a) the line from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes; and (b) the line from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote.
Five galleries show the construction of the Northern Extension to East Grinstead: (a) Track improvements north of Kingscote; (b) Vowels Lane Bridge to Imberhorne Lane Bridge; (c) Imberhone Lane Tip; (d) Hill Place Farm Bridge to Hill Place Viaduct; and (e) Hill Place Viaduct (sometimes called Imberhorne Viaduct).
Please note that the vast majority of the Northern Extension pictures were taken on private land with permission. Where necessary lookout protection was provided or a possession was taken. No matter what their status no pedestrian may enter the section of restricted clearance adjacent to Turners Hill Bridge without specific authority and appropriate protection.
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Sheffield Park signal cabin constructed under the platform canopy. The wires and rods controlling the signals can be seen emerging below the platform edge. 24.01.2010
Sheffield Park originally had a lever frame on Platform 1, but this was enclosed inside a signal cabin to avoid the signalman being interrupted by visitors at inappropriate times. This is the lever frame inside the box on 08.05.2007. Also shown (top left) is the Walker's Train Describer which allows the locomotive shed to send requests for train moves to the signalman.
It is quite unusual to find a colour image from around VE Day, but the Signalman has aged well ever since. The shot, actually from Southern at War on 10.05.2015, catches the red token machines and (above them) the signal telephone apparatus in the background. 12502
The Sheffield Park signal box diagram. At the time the board was indicating "Earth Leakage", for which the signalman would have been required to call S&T. 08.05.2007 (This image can be enlarged by clicking on the picture).
The Sheffield Park signal box and canopy viewed from the Museum roof. The canopy was subsequently extensively refurbished. 10.09.2010 4711
Sheffield Park signal box viewed whilst works were in progress to refurbish the area. 10.03.2012 3799
S&T working in the bowels of the box that you do not normally see. Like all lever frames there is a lot under the floor, but it is not wise to interrupt them, especially when they have large spanners to hand.... 10.03.2012 3829
Turning now to signals controlled by the box, the first southbound signal trains encounter is the Sheffield Park Distant. 21.10.2007 0048
A closer view of the Sheffield Park Distant signal. 04.05.2006
In contrast to the rest of the line, Sheffield Park signals reflect the LBSCR era when signals lowered to the "Off" position. 11.03.2007
A closer view of the Sheffield Park Distant in the "Off" position. At night the spectacle glasses show either a yellow or green light (as appropriate). Trains never stop at distant signals. If "On" they simply serve as a warning to drivers that they might have to stop at the Home signal, and speed is adjusted accordingly. 11.03.2007
I can't resist including a fluke. Whilst taking a northbound view of the track the distant signal reverted to the "On" position and is caught half way between the two positions. The spectacle glass shows clearly the position of the arm. 01.07.2007 0057
The Sheffield Park Distant signal protects the Outer Home signal, which is just south of the disused platform at Ketches Halt. The signal post was in rather tired condition in 2007 as 9017 passed with a northbound service train. The signal post telephone (connecting to the signal box) is in front of the signal. 25.03.2007
The same signal is in view a year earlier as 65 approaches Ketches Halt. 11.06.2006
Another view of the signal from the platform of Ketches Halt also catches the northbound Advance Starter in the distance. 04.06.2006
Drivers approach Ketches Halt around a bend from Freshfield Bank, which reduces the opportunity to sight the signal. The indication given by the Distant signal is therefore especially important. 04.06.2006
In 2018 the Outer Home signal post was refurbished, although the decorative top did not retain it's previous red colour. A sighting board, which improves visibility of the signal to drivers, was also added. 18.05.2018 16478
The Sheffield Park Outer Home signal in the "Off" position. Approaching the signal on foot from the south the arm is now completely hidden and the signal therefore no longer serves as an early warning of the approach of southbound trains from around the bend. On some other railways the sighting boards are positioned slightly lower, so the arm can be seen from the rear when the signal is "On". Drivers see a clear view of the arm with the white board below. When the signal drops it is still highlighted to drivers, but northbound track walkers see it vanish behind the board, warning that the signal has changed to "Off". An example of this arrangement can be seen at Blue Anchor on the West Somerset Railway. 18.05.2018 16482
The original Sheffield Park Advance Starter receiving several coats of paint in 2007. Health and Safety arrangements were then slightly different. 25.03.2007
A closer view of the 2007 work on the Sheffield Park Advance Starter. The gentlemen informed me that it was the only time I was likely to catch them working, which I am sure was untrue. 25.03.2007
With scaffolding removed, the newly refurbished Sheffield Park Advance Starter pictured on 02.04.2007
80151 passing the Sheffield Park Advance Starter on 15.04.2007
The Sheffield Park Advance Starter in the "Off" position on 08.06.2008 0097
Unfortunately the very impressive tall post of the Sheffield Park Advance Starter suffered from rot, and in 2018 it was reduced to a more "normal" height. It is always a shame to lose such features, but the cost of a new post would have been prohibitive, even assuming one could be sourced. 18.05.2018 18299
Another signal that was to suffer from rot was the original Inner Home bracket signal, pictured here in 2007 as 21C123 leaves Sheffield Park. 10.03.2007
The original Inner Home bracket signal is again in shot as Stepney returns to Sheffield Park with a brake van, following a Footplate Days and Ways course. The signal is "Off" for Platform 2. 02.06.2007
How many members of S&T does it take to renew a rotten bracket signal? Well rather more than you see here, because all the components had to be refurbished too. Work is caught in progress on 25.06.2017 15618
The renewal of the Inner Home bracket signal in progress. Whilst the signal was being reconstructed temporary colour light signals were installed to replace it. An outgoing train is waiting in Platform 2, whilst the left hand signal shows a clear road into Platform 1 for an incoming southbound service. Between the two colour light signals are "Calling on" ground signals, that permit entry into an occupied platform. For example, these would be used when a locomotive was running round stock that had been left in the platform. 25.06.2017 17427
Components for the Sheffield Park Inner Home bracket signal awaiting installation. 06.05.2017 17110
Components for the Sheffield Park Inner Home bracket signal awaiting installation. 06.05.2017 17109
A posed image of the Bluebell Railway S&T team at work on 25.06.2017. The team won their third Heritage Award (the 2018 Siemens Signalling Award) for their work on the LBSCR signals at the north end of Sheffield Park. 15637
A closer view of the temporary colour light signals installed during the refurbishment of the Inner Home bracket signal. In the background there is no locomotive at the north end of Platform 1 but the northbound starter is nonetheless cleared. Those newly qualified to go on the track at Sheffield Park need to remember that stock is sometimes propelled north from the platforms, and the apparent absence of a locomotive does not necessarily mean that stock will not move. 02.04.2017 17062
The newly refurbished Inner Home bracket signal at Sheffield Park. 18.05.2018 16443
The newly refurbished Inner Home bracket signal at Sheffield Park. 18.05.2018 18303
The newly refurbished Inner Home bracket signal at Sheffield Park, viewed from the rear. In the distance is the northbound Advance Starter in it's new shortened condition. The picture also catches the refurbished Poleay Bridge and some new track. 18.05.2018 18304
The newly refurbished Inner Home bracket signal at Sheffield Park, viewed from the rear. The "Calling On" arm is "Off" to allow the locomotive to run round on to stock waiting in Platform 1. The locomotive only needs to shunt beyond the signal to undertake this move, but in the distance the Advance Starter protects the remainder of the line. This allows an incoming train to proceed up to the Outer Home (at Ketches Halt) whilst shunting is in progress at the station. 18.05.2018 16502
If you have ever wondered, this is what the inside of one of the S&T cabinets at Sheffield Park looks like. 10.03.2007
The original Sheffield Park Platform 1 Starter, with other signals in the background. 02.06.2007
To allow for eventual platform lengthening, in 2016 it was decided to move the platform starting signals further north. This is the new base for the Platform 1 Starter. It can be seen that it is much nearer to the River Ouse bridge. 30.04.2016 14957
A very shiny Platform 1 Starter shortly after it was installed in it's new position. 02.04.2017 17066
The same signal, now a little weathered, photographed on 18.05.2018 18335
The original Sheffield Park Platform 2 Starter, pictured on 08.05.2007.
The Platform2 Starter was also moved north towards the River Ouse, and it's new base is seen on 30.04.2016 14958
The new Platform 2 Starter, photographed shortly after installation in it's revised position. The River Ouse bridge can be seen in the background. 02.04.2017 17068
The same signal, photographed on 18.05.2018. 18334
Movements south of the station are controlled by ground signals, although in the case of Platform 1 the signal is post mounted. 9017 steams south towards the shed on 02.06.2007
In 2012 new ground signals were installed for movements to and from the Carriage Shed. In the background one of the original ground signals that controls movements from the south can also be seen. 20.03.2012 3892
The same ground signal, supplemented by a route indicator. 20.03.2012 3894