Meldon Quarry Signal

[whole diary]

[Umberleigh]

There is a relatively modern, but out of use, colour light signal opposite Meldon station. It has its back to a shed and faces towards the viaduct, and the head of the run-round loop. Appears to be a route indicator of some sort, but at the height of a normal signal, if you get me.

I'm curious as to its former purpose and from which box it was controlled. I'm guessing it was for the quarry freight train movements, but my understanding is that colour light signalling never made it further north than the junction at Crediton. Everything else on this line is simple ground frame and stop boards arrangements.

Anyone..?

[molinnis]

Few years since I have been up to meldon but I think there used to be signals for controling trains traversing under the loading gantry.

[Umberleigh]

Thanks, that would make sense. Just remembered that there was a headhunt over the viaduct up until the 90's, that could explain the location of this signal.

Anyone know who controlled the loading movements i.e. the quarry or a signal box?

[JayMac]

Just remembered that there was a headhunt over the viaduct up until the 90's

[TerminalJunkie mode] What was the job they were headhunting for? Or was this the more barbaric form of headhunting? [/TerminalJunkie mode]

 

[TerminalJunkie]

[TerminalJunkie mode] What was the job they were headhunting for? Or was this the more barbaric form of headhunting? [/TerminalJunkie mode]

Cheeky shunt 

[signalandtelegraph]

Thanks, that would make sense. Just remembered that there was a headhunt over the viaduct up until the 90's, that could explain the location of this signal.

Anyone know who controlled the loading movements i.e. the quarry or a signal box?

Creep (shunting) signals, controlled by the quarry from the conveyor belt loading control room.  Similar to the ones in use at Theale for the stone trains.

see here

http://www.railsigns.co.uk/sect10page2/sect10page2.html

[Umberleigh]

Thanks, had noticed the ones at Theale, too.

Sadly, the quarry is being stripped of all assets, with some structures being demolished. Seems pretty final this time - although future reopening has apparently been allowed for - and eight redundancies, sadly.

Could be a long time before another 66 heads north of Exeter on a revenue-earning service unless Iowa come up with anything... or they cut down Eggesford forest

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

depends if you count railtours 





for anyone thats interested here are some more photos from the railway

http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/sets/72157619877728022/with/3395503329/