Manchester Victoria West Junction signal box
Victoria West Junction signal box was opened on 10th March 1929 by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway. It was built to a non standard design by a local builder and was fitted with a 95 lever Westinghouse Brake & Saxby Signal Co. Ltd. Style 'K' power lever frame number 33.
It was closed on 8th August 1993 when signalling of the area was taken over by Manchester Victoria East Junction signal box. There are more pictures of Manchester Victoria Station on thisalternative web page.
The signalbox at Manchester Victoria West Junction photographed shortly after it was brought into use in 1929.
Another view of the signalbox this time from the opposite side than that of the previous picture. If one looks at the far left one can just make out a train in the platform at the station. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
The Manchester Victoria West Junction frame is a Westinghouse Style 'K' Power Frame and was mechanically interlocked between levers with electrical lever locking. The frame was had a total of working 95 levers, and 8 spares when originally installed, again we see the 'Publicity' photograph circa 1929.
The Westinghouse Brake & Saxby Signal Co. Ltd lever frame, pictured above shown the lever frame and diagram around the time the signalbox was commissioned in 1929. Its levers were built into the panel. Immediately above the levers and clearly visible above the signal and point indications Behind and above the levers are the block instruments which consisted of the traditional bell tapper the three way block switch for sending 'line blocked' or 'line clear' or 'train on line'. The receiving block instrument indications were by red light for 'train on line' and green light for 'line clear' rather than the more traditional block instruments indicators.
A lovely view of the mahogany covered lever framed looking from lever No.1. Victoria West Junction was manned by two signalmen and a train booker on all turns. Note for information only - the train booker position may have been dispensed with on certain turns in the run up to the boxes closure. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Another view of the frame from the other end this time, showing what can only be described as a busy and interesting setup. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Closeup detail of the high end of the lever frame with some interesting signal & point indicator detail. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
A more generalised view the lever frame with some interesting signal & point indicator detail. - This actually shows the block instruments for Platform 12 to 16 lines which were worked by absolute block but the lines were signalled for use in both directions. Therefor the normal coloured light block instruments in the frame were replaced by those illustrated which incorporated slot indications. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Closeup of the track diagram which the station platform in the bottom left hand corner, and the signalbox clearly marked midway as a red box above the clock. red box, The platform marked in the diagram bottom left is the former Manchester Exchange station, Victoria station was not marked on the diagram. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Covers off, and the mechanical locking control rods just visible below the levers at the front of the lever frame. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Covers off, and the mechanical locking control rods just visible below the levers at the front of the lever frame. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Covers off, and the mechanical locking control rods just visible below the levers at the front of the lever frame. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Inside the mahgahony cabinet, at the back, the rotating electrical contacts are just visible running horizontally, above and towards the back of the photograph is the rear of the point and signal indicators and their wiring cables. Picture by kind permission of © Graham Floyd
Irwell Bridge Ground Frame was also a Style 'K' lever frame comprising of 15 levers. and looked like a signalbox as well.
Diagrams
Attached is a Trackplan for Victoria West Junction this can be downloaded in PDF format. This diagram is taken from the BR Layout Plans of the 1950s Volume 5: ex L&YR Lines in the West Lancashire.. These images are copyright of the Signalling Record Society, and reproduced by permission.Adjacent boxes
To the West,
Deal Street signal box (498yds away) was the adjacent signal box from opening until closure.
To the East
when opened Victoria East Junction signal box (402yds away) was the adjacent box, it was replaced on 7th April 1962 by a new box, Manchester Victoria East Junction signal box, the same distance away which remained the adjacent box until closure.
Irwell Bridge Sidings Ground Frame signal box was 145yards away from Victoria West Junction.