Cromer Signalbox

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Newsletter: December 2009

Update on Progress

A considerable amount has been achieved in 2009.  With more than an element of good luck with the weather on working party days, it has been possible to make good progress with the work of renovation, maintenance and repair.  It is very satisfying to see the progress that has been made with the permanent way hut.  This building (not as old as the signal box but not that young either!) has taken on a much improved look now that it has got its new slate roof.  Water-tight once again, it will be possible to provide the building with a new floor of wooden blocks made from railway sleeper ends.  The signal box remains smart in its colour scheme but this is merely the façade - there's a host of things to be done internally in the way of fittings and fitments, most particularly in connection with the lever-frame.  Just at present, negotiations are taking place to provide a water and an electricity supply to the site.  Both are going to incur a measure of cost but will be necessary before we can consider having more than just casual visitors on site.  The signals in the outdoor display area are smart in their coat of paint and efforts are being made to link the point-work to the lever frame.  Everyone involved in the work during 2009 has experienced a sense of achievement from being part of a worthwhile project - there's certainly an opportunity for newcomers to experience the same in 2010, could this be you? 

Exchanging Bell Codes

If ever you've stood near to a working signal box (one like Cromer's - mechanical box) on a summer's day when the window or door was open, you will have heard the sound of bells.  These are known as Block Bells and it is the way that signalmen then (and in some places still now) communicated with each other regarding the running of trains.  If you'd listened carefully you will have realised that there were two quite different bell sounds.  This fulfilled the need for the signalman to know which of the signal boxes either side of his box was sending a message.  Indeed, in a signal box situated at a busy junction there could be a multitude of bells and each different - high or low pitched, cow-bell, etc.  Various combinations of beats of the Block Bells all meant something different to the signalman for there was (and is in the remaining wayside signal boxes) a set of codes that every signalman (or signaller to use current terminology) had to learn.  For instance, a 'three-pause-one' is a request from one box to another for permission to send a stopping train through the section.  If the receiving signalman agrees to accept the train, the code is repeated back.  A little later, 'two bells' conveys the message that the train is entering the section and later still, 'two-pause-one' tells that the train has arrived safely.  Akin to Morse code, block bells are preferable to messages over the telephone as they are less early mistaken.  A scrawled-over M&GN signalling notice shows where  a bell-code was used to indicate a particular direction. 

Eric Dagless - Railway Signalman at Cromer Beach 1963-1966

Eric contacted the CRSS a short time ago when, on a visit from his home in Hertfordshire to relatives in North Norfolk, he became aware of the renovation work being carried out by volunteers on the signal box in which he worked for three years nearly 50 years ago.  The record of his 15-year railway career (he joined the police force at the age of 29 in 1966 upon leaving Cromer box.) much of which was on the M&GN, makes interesting reading …..  Starting as an oiler and greaser in the M&GN's Wagon Department on leaving school in 1951 and remaining in it before and after a spell of National Service, Eric's first signalling job was at Melton Constable West box in 1957.  As this was a summer season only post, he had to return to carriage shunting but in 1958 he applied for and was appointed a District Relief Signalman at Yarmouth Beach.  Still only 21 and already married with a young son, Eric was pleased when he was rostered to relieve in boxes back in North Norfolk near to his home.  Before obtaining a motor-cycle, Eric was dependent upon his bicycle to get him to work.

In common with many other railwayman on the M&GN, Eric's post was made redundant in 1959 and he had to accept a lower grade post as a permanent signalman at Bishops Stortford North box.  With his family remaining in North Norfolk and only seeing them on his long weekends, Eric was extremely grateful when appointed firstly to a vacancy at Runton West Junction and later to Holt signal box.  This last move suited everyone for the family had settled in that town.  Another signal box move came in 1963 when Eric was appointed to Cromer Beach box, a post he occupied until 1966 when he left the railway service to follow a different career.

Clearly, Eric has many memories of his time on the railways of North Norfolk……  Of getting up at 2.0 am to cycle 40 miles to get to Great Ormesby so as to start work at 5.30am.  Of the kindness of some of the resident signalmen who would swap shifts with the relief-man so that he he could do a late shift, sleep overnight in the box and then do the next day's early shift. Of a near-miss of an incident at Cromer box - the result of a momentary lapse of attention!  And of a rabbit that chewed through an electrical cable and caused a short circuit.  The memories are of yesteryear but Eric still vividly recalls the times that he spent in the box at Melton Constable East (his favourite).  He also worked the signal box pictured above - readily recognisable, it is the box-top from Holt now at Weybourne (NNR).

Do you know of anyone who might like to become a member and be kept up-to-date with progress?