The LNWR Bescot Train Control as seen circa 1912, The controllers would be in constant contact with the 60-odd signalboxes on the route, and manually mark the positions of trains on the 20-foot diagram using brass pegs placed in sockets at the relevant locations, similar to what a power box displays electronically these days.
Bescot Yards comprised 52 "roads" back then and can be seen in the centre of the diagram with Walsall above it. New St is at lower right (between the desks).
From a photo by W E Hall.
3 comments:
How did they cope in those days? Only half the traffic these days and the railway often struggles to cope. I once had a video, which I can no longer find, of a kettle on a freight in the fog. It gets paused by the signalman who hollers across to the crew 'Oi.... theres a cow on the line..... Keep a sharp look out' and thats it. Today, everything within a 100 miles would be brought to halt. Look at the game when the signals go out! I still thinks its fantastic how the signalling works though. Wandsworth Road is a busy six track junction but everything keeps moving all the time.
A fascinating photograph giving a rare insight into how things were done in years past. A great find.
Yes, an insite to how it was/should be done . We all wished we had that piece stored in the attic . Ebay would have a field day !
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