Signals at Helsby

4/6/07

Helsby is a picturesque junction on the Warrington-Chester line with some great semaphore signals. On the left is the main line towards Chester, and the line to Ellesmere Port and Hooton diverges to the right.

The view from the station platform towards Warrington. The signalbox is on the platform in the vee of the junction.

The up junction signals, and the down starter beyond them.

The line towards Chester, with some engineers' sidings on the right.

A closer view of the down main starter, with the up main home 1 visible beyond the bridge.

A closer view of the signals at the north ends of the platforms. The Hooton line signal has two, co-acting arms - now quite rare on Network Rail - so that at least one is always visible from behind the footbridge.

The line towards Hooton. Some local trains to Ellesmere Port reverse from the down platform (right).

Slightly further round the curve there is a down home signal.

The signalbox.

A closer view of the co-acting signal.

The engineers' sidings, where the two exit discs betray some overgrown trackwork.