Signalling
On 21st & 22nd October 1973 Stage C of British Railways East Lancashire Re-signalling occured and signalling of trains in the Todmorden area passed from a number a traditional mechanical signal boxes to Preston Power Signal Box. The signal boxes that were closed on the L&Y lines were Summit West, Todmorden, Hall Royd Junction and Eastwood. And Stansfield Hall and Copy Pit on the East Lancs lines. In addition Walsden on the L&Y lines and Portsmouth on the East Lancs lines remained only to supervise the level alongside the signal boxes. Preston PSB still controls what are called the L&Y lines between Smithy Bridge (exclusive) and Hebden Bridge (exclusive), and the East Lancs lines from Hall Royd Junction over Copy Pit towards Burnley.
The signal boxes.
Summit West signal box was opened by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1912. It was built to what is known as the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 20 levers.
Walsden signal box was opened named Walsden West by the L&YR in 1893. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 20 levers. It was renamed Walsden in the early 1930s when Walsden East signal box was closed, and was further renamed Walsden Level Crossing Frame on 21st October 1973. It was closed on 21st December 1973 after the construction of Winterbutlee Road allowed the level crossing to be closed.
Todmorden signal box was opened named Todmorden Junction by the L&YR in 1884. It was built by The Railway Signal Company (a signalling contractor) to their Standard design and was fitted with one of their own lever frames consititing of 34 levers. It was renamed Todmorden No.3 in 1895. In 1906 the lever frame was extended to 60 levers with the signal box being extended to accomodate it, and it was renamed Todmorden East Junction. It was further renamed Todmorden on 10th January 1965.
Hall Royd Junction signal box was opened named Todmorden No.4 by the L&YR in 1904. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 40 levers. It was renamed Hall Royd Junction in 1906.
Eastwood signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1874. It was built by Saxby & Farmer (a signalling contractor) to their Type 7 design and was fitted with one of their own lever frames. The L&YR fitted one of their own Tappet lever frame consititing of 30 levers in 1894.
Portsmouth signal box was opened named Portsmouth East by the L&YR in 1878. It was built by Saxby & Farmer (a signalling contractor) to their Type 9 design and was fitted with one of their own lever frames consisting of 18 levers. In 1895 the L&YR rebuilt the signal box, fitting a second hand top on the original brick base and one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 20 levers. The signal box was renamed Portsmouth at the same time and in 1905 the lever frame was extended to 36 levers. It was further renamed Portsmouth Level Crossing Frame on 21st October 1973 and was closed on 14th September 1975 after the level crossing was converted to minature red/green warning lights with user operated barriers.
Stansfield Hall signal box was opened by the L&YR 1895. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 16 levers. The frame was extended to 20 levers in 1905 and had been further extended to 24 levers by 1944.
Copy Pit signal box was opened by the L&YR circa.1904-05. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 32 levers.
information on some other signal boxes that did not survive until the end of mechanical signalling.
Cornholme signal box was opened by the London Midland & Scottish Railway in 1928. It was built to a London & North Western Railway Type 5 design and was fitted with a L&YR Tappet lever frame consisiting of 16 levers. It was closed on 27th July 1969.
Summit East signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1897. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 10 levers. It was closed on 28th June 1964.
Brook & Pickups New Siding signal box was opened named by the L&YR in 1882. It was built by The Railway Signal Company (a signalling contractor) to their Standard design and was fitted one of their 1877 Patent lever frames. It was renamed Stubley Siding prior to closure in the early 1930s.
Dobroyd Crossing signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1901. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames, possibly consisiting of 16 levers. From the early 1930s it served only to control the level crossing and was possibly closed at the same time as Todmorden West.
Dover Bridge signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1910. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames consisiting of 20 levers. It was closed on 19th September 1965.
Kitson Wood signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1907. It was a L&YR Standard design and was fitted with one of the companies Tappet lever frames. It was closed on 18th June 1961.
Portsmouth West signal box was opened by the L&YR in 1878. It was built by Saxby & Farmer (a signalling contractor) to their Type 9 design and was fitted one of their lever frames consisiting of 16 levers. In 1895 it was renamed Porstmouth Goods and thereafter served only to shunt trains. On 5th April 1905 a replacement L&YR Tappet frame consisting of 24 levers was fitted. It was further renamed Portsmouth Ground Frame at some time before closure came on 17th October 1965.
Todmorden West signal box was opened named Todmorden West by the L&YR in 1883. It was built by The Railway Signal Company (a signalling contractor) to their Standard design and was fitted with a 32 lever frame. It was renamed Todmorden No.1 in 1895 and was further renamed Todmorden West in 1906. It was closed on 10th January 1965.
Walsden East signal box was opened named by the L&YR in 1881. It was closed in the early 1930s.