Lists of Signal Boxes and Running Lines

1960, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1980 and 1991

These pages will attempt to show some detail about the signal boxes and track layouts of railways in North Wales. The information comes from copies of the "British Railways Sectional Appendix" for October 1960, June 1969, October 1972, February 1975, April 1980 and April 1991. This allows a comparison of track and signalling through the decline of the '60s and '70s. I am of course treading outside my chosen timespan, but the information is relevant in understanding how the track layouts seen in the photographs came about.

The placenames shown are the names of the signal boxes working the absolute block system. The distances shown are the distances between block posts. Names shown in italics are operating locations with no signal box.

The diagrams do not indicate track layout. The sectional appendices show running lines between block posts, but there is no indication given of connections between those running lines. The appendices do not give diagrammatic representation of running lines within station limits unless they were controlled by more than one signal box. For ease of comparison between years, I have kept the same format where a single box now controls a layout previously worked by two. Loop and refuge siding information for each block post is now shown with JavaScript Popups.

North Wales Coast and branches:

Chester No 6 to Holyhead
Mold Jcn No 1 to Corwen East
Llandudno Junction to Llandudno
Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Trawsfynydd & Bala
Menai Bridge to Caernarvon and Afonwen
Gaerwen to Amlwch
Other branch lines

Borders and Cambrian Coast:

Shrewsbury to Chester
Gobowen to Nantmawr Quarry
Ellesmere to Wrexham Central and Dee Marsh Jcn
Croes Newydd to Minera
Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth
Dovey Junction to Pwllheli
Ruabon to Barmouth Junction
Whitchurch to Buttington
Other branch lines