Signals at Llandudno

Llandudno Town

21-23/9/05

There is still a nice collection of semaphores at Llandudno Town. This shot shows the platform starters and the signal box. The line on the extreme right is now just a headshunt, platforms 4 and 5 having been dismantled some years ago.
Some work is planned at the station which will see a new line built along the grassy area in the middle of this platform (more about this below).

A closer shot of the gantry carrying the starters for platforms 1 and 2. The smaller arms lead to the carriage sidings (see below).
It's also noticeable that the semaphores here and at Deganwy haven't yet been fitted with number plates.

The trackwork at the station throat, showing the connection to the carriage sidings on the right.

Another shot, taken from a park adjacent to the line.

A closer view of the signalbox, with the platform 3 starters in the foreground.

The immediate approach to the station. The down innerhome has a calling-on subsidiary to allow trains into partially occupied platforms, and a theatre-light route indicator. On the left are the carriage sidings; to the right is a siding.
Some modifications to the station, which will see a new platform cut between platforms 2 and 3 and the shunting crossover at the far end of platforms 1 and 2, are planned. The carriage sidings will then be needed for running round loco-hauled trains.

A closer view of the down innerhome, as a train enters the station. In the distance the double disc that controls the exit from the carriage sidings can be seen.

This is the view in the opposite direction, towards Deganwy. The up advanced starter is cleared for a departing train, and on the right is the down outerhome. It is unusual for two successive signals to have subsidiaries, but the one under the outerhome is a warning signal which can be cleared either if the incoming train is to be called on at the innerhome, or to allow the train to approach the latter if another train is leaving the station at the same time.

Llandudno Town's down distant, which is fixed at caution despite having a green spectacle glass. Deganwy's up distant can also be seen in the background.

Deganwy

21-23/9/05

There is also a mechanical signalbox that controls the level crossing at Deganwy. This is the view towards Llandudno Jct, with the rear of the down starter visible at the end of the platform.

Deganwy's up distant. I am not sure whether or not this is operated or fixed.

Deganwy's up home. Just round the far curve is the footbridge from which the above shot of the level crossing was taken.

The signalbox, crossing and down starter as seen from the station. Note the treadles in the up line immediately in advance of the crossing.

A close-up view of the signalbox. Nice stonework!

Deganwy station, looking towards Llandudno Jct. The colour-light up starter can be glimpsed at the far end of the platform.

Since Llandudno Jct was resignalled, this colour-light has been Deganwy's down home.

Llandudno Junction

21-23/9/05

A train from the town passes Llandudno Jct's first stop signal. His starter towards Deganwy can be seen opposite.

A face-on shot of the signal with the position 4 junction indicator ("feather"). The position-light subsidiary is fitted with a route indicator to identify which shunting move is signalled.

Llandudno Jct station looking towards Bangor and town. A train is signalled to depart for the town. The signalbox can be seen beyond the road bridge.
I was very grateful for the excellent buffet this station has. Hardly had I arrived here after walking all the way from town station when the skies opened! I was also famished, having come up on the Ffestiniog Railway and eaten nothing since first thing.

A closer shot of platform 1, on the far right of the above photo. A siding runs alongside.

A closer view of the main line platforms and the signalbox.
Of the three sets of TPWS loops in rear of each of the platform starters, the nearest two are probably overspeed sensors (OSS) for the signals at the other ends of these platforms.

Llandudno Jct towards Abergele and Blaenau Ffestiniog

The other end of the station, looking towards Abergele. The signalman has pulled off for a train to leave from platform 1. A short way beyond the road bridge the Blaenau Ffestiniog branch diverges on the right.

Finally, the signal is pulled off for my train back to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

More photos of North Wales signalling, compiled by relief signaller Alan Roberts, can be found at Signalling Around the Junction and Signalling Over Wales on the Llandudno Junction Steam Locomotive and Carriage Shed website.