Stevens & Sons Tappet frame

Please note that this is not a Westinghouse lever frame signal box, it is included as it was part of the Clapham Junction & West Kensignton signalling system and is provided for historical and geographic interest only.

Loco. Junction was opened by the London & South Western Railway on 8 September 1918. It was built on a gantry over the tracks as were a number of boxes commissioned by the LSWR on the main line out of Waterloo station. It was fitted with a Stevens & Sons Tappet frame (unknown manufacturer) and was closed on 16 June 1974 when Queens Road signal box took control of it's area of responsibility.

This picture is probably taken pre 1936 for two reasons, all the lever are full length, where as after 1936 introduction of colour light signals the levers were cut shorter to denote electrically operated signals or points. Also the inclusion of the Sykes block instruments on the shelf were again implementation of the pre power frame era, and the introduction of the coloured light signals. Non the less and interesting photograph showing the three man signal crew, question are all three on duty, or maybe the gentlemen in the background is the signal inspector?

Looking at the picture showing the two signalmen at the frame and the diagram 1936.18D5.PDF. The highest numbered lever on the diagram is 91, a colour light. This information is confirmed by the picture (three short handled levers for 89, 90 and 90 signals) which also shows that there is one higher numbered lever. So assuming the were no additional levers at the left hand end of the frame I assume the frame was 92 levers. Note also that the shortened levers, and the provision of the train describer units.

Diagrams
Attached is Southern Railway signal instruction 18 track diagram D5 of 1936 this can be downloaded in PDF format, this covers the opening of Clapham Junction 'A' and West London Junction signal boxes. These diagram(s) are taken from the website of the Signalling Record Society Research Note37. These images are copyright of the Signalling Record Society, and reproduced by permission.

Please be aware that these files are large and can take a while to download depending on your internet providers line speed. typically file sizes between 300-500K each

You will need a PDF viewer to read PDF file, if you don't have it its free to download

Adjacent boxes
London Waterloo to Waterloo line (Main & Windsor Lines) - northbound
In March 1934 Vauxhall West signal box (1244yds away) was the adjacent box to the east. Vauxhall West signal box was closed on 18 October 1936 when Waterloo signal box (1m 1689yds away) became the adjacent box until closure.
Goods Lines
In March 1934 Nine Elms South Viaduct signal box (627yds away) was the adjacent box, presumably until the Goods lines were taken out of use and closed on 1 July 1968.
London Waterloo to Reading South line (Windsor Lines)
From opening Queens Road East signal box (728yds away) was the adjacent box to the West.
Queens Road East signal box closed on 17 May 1936 when Queens Road signal box (1059yds away, and previously named Queens Road West) became the adjacent box until closure.