Chiltern Railways at the Greenford Semaphores.

[moonraker185]

signals still there as of 21st february 2011, I went to Selborne School in the 60's and we used to go to the viaduct to see the 1330 train from Paddington to Birmingham normally hauled by a castle. we were always late for afternoon register.

[SR722]

Nothing beats the wonderful "clack" of a semaphore rising or dropping into position.

[Yanamation]

I bet the signalman have a very slow reaction to control the semaphore signal, when the train passed for a while! I think most semaphore signals in the past react quickly when trains go by!

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

Thats what I thought, the signal box has a track monitor, so the signals should have gone back immediatly, but i think the signalman waited for the train to pass the box (which is about 3/4 of mile down the line) before changing the semaphore.

[roscalen]

There's often much less urgency when replacing semaphores than when clearing them.

[bradleigh10]

Do these signals have AWS systems?

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

Remind me what an AWS System is?

[bradleigh10]

Yellow thingy before a signal. Dings if signal is clear, siren if amber or red.

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

I believe Yes, I have a freind who works at the Greenford Signal Box I will ask him and get back to you, I am planning on getting a Cab ride though this section before the semaphores go.

[bradleigh10]

ahh cheers mate, this is a question that I will never sleep until I get an answer :P

[M14A4BulldogTank]

@GreatRailwayJourneys Advanced Warning System

[mas57]

Yes. The AWS system is placed in front of the (yellow) "distant" semaphore signals. The old GWR pioneered this system, later adopted by BR (although the original GWR system was electro-mechanical... using a "shoe" and a short center-rail ramp)

[d7106]

Sorry if i'm being a spoil sport but these arent the last mainline working semaphore signals. There is a lot in Little hamton where my nan lives, a whole gantry.

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

These signals are on disued Branchline only used by frieght and diversions from the Chiltern Mainline. This one of four remainng Semaphore signals in the London Area. I am aware Little Hampton (I believe on the south Coast) has loads and a few other areas of the country has some.

[dieselpuppy74]

Any idea who the manufacturer(s) of these units were? They are identical to those used by the Malayan Railway (now KTM) and also here in Australia.

They seem to be a product of The Empire, like the Craven railcars that were scrapped because they were full of asbestos !

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

I am not sure who is manufacturer,

I have been to Malaysia (before i started videos) and have seen similar semaphores, These semaphores are also identical to some used on Indian Railways.

But thanks for the Info.

[mimiquan]

After all the years I lived there I wasn't aware this was one of the last semaphores working. I live in America now and this is a great comfort to watch--thanks for putting it up!!

[VwErik88]

cool :)

[60103Henry]

Great Video, Does Greenford Station have ticket barriers?

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

Unfortunately it does as it is Owned by London Underground who have ticket barriers across most of their network.

These Signals are not used frequently (Once a Week), but when in operation it is quite interesting to watch.

I hope to do more of these Semaphores in the near future before they are replaced late next year by Colour light Signals.

[60103Henry]

Thanks for that info!

[adam7863]

I found an old semaphore signal at Hendon station just past the bridge on the northern line, been chained up and forgotten.

[GreatRailwayJourneys]

Thanks for that, I might check it out, I have been wanting to make videos and take photographs of working and non-working Semaphore Signals in and around London.

[bronzeonion]

thats why i saw a chiltern train when i was in teh shopping centre car park! i went 2 hobbycraft to get some track