Lever frame at Tenterden Town Signalbox

Best draw a veil over today’s turn at Tenterden. Started off well with the special leaving on time. Ended with it arriving back an hour later than expected. Communication with volunteers about this trip, and other turns on Monday were nonexistent and sparked a debate on Facebook.

It meant a very late lunch in a tearoom where service was slow. Rain was hammering down throughout our walk around the town. The highlight was a visit to the Old Dairy Brewery at the end of a wet day. A pint of Old Dairy Bluetop, American IPA went down very well.

Today’s view shows the various levers that control the signalling equipment, red for signals, black for points and blue for point locks to secure points so they don’t move. White levers are not used and the green Shunter’s Release is used when shunting takes place. Reversing it locks up every other signal so protecting the shunting.

Above the levers are the various repeaters, dials and indicators to tell us where the trains are and the aspect of the signals as we can’t see all the signals under our control.

To the left it the block instrument from which we withdraw a tablet to allow a train to enter the single line section between here and Rolvenden.The instrument is over 100 years old.

Finally, comes the track diagram showing the layout of the tracks and all the signals and points under our control.

I’m sitting in the comfy signalman’s seat, surveying the domain. I’m back in the box on Monday. Hopefully a better informed day. All being well you’re in for a treat.