| Two signal boxes remain between Wychnor Junction and Lichfield City, they are Alrewas and Lichfield TV Junction, both are LNWR type 4 and date from 1899 and 1897 respectively.
Curiously both are fringe boxes to PSB's but have somehow survived modernisation all around them. |
Alrewas in summer 2002, still with the original LNWR style windows - and a dreadful modern portaloo..... |
Following a fire in October 2005 Alrewas box was totally refurbished. An inside Wc was provided along with a full set of new windows. Fortunatley the character of the box was retained. |
Dating from 1899, Alrewas is a LNWR type 4 signal box. It contained a 25 lever LNWR tumbler frame and gate wheel. The gate wheel was removed in 1972 when lifting barriers were installed whilst the lever frame was replaced by a small panel in 1982. |
The interior of Alrewas following refurbishment. A diverted Virgin railcar service approaches on the single line from Wychnor. Alrewas works AB to lichfield TV Jct and TCB to Derby PSB over the single line to Wychnor Jucntion. |
This is the second IFS panel at Alrewas. the first was installed in 1982 and was modified when the line to Wychnor Junction was singled in October 1986. Due to wear and tear a new panel was provided in 2005. |
66581 "Sophie" passes Fine Lane Crossing with 6P21 Mountsorrel - Basford Hall vq stone. Fine Lane is manned by a crossing keeper, the location is something of an anachronism in 2008 with no running water and no electric lighting! |
During refurbishment of Ipswich Tunnel to accept 9'6" containers, a number of Freightliner services were diverted from the North London Line to run via Grantham, Nottingham and Lichfield. Here 66534 looms into view and prepares to cross to the spur to access the WCML with one such diversion. |
6K50 the 15:12 Toton - Crewe Basford Hall ballast working approaches Lichfield TV Jct box hauled by the just reinstated 60066 "Merry Hampton". This was the fourth in a succession of trains, the previous ones being 6M49, 1Q22 and 6P21. 6M51 followed shortly after. With greatful thanks to Malcolm for the stool...... |
Lichfield TV Jct box is, like Alrewas a LNWR type 4. It retains a LNWR tumbler frame of 45 levers. |
Lichfield TV Jct No.6 signal as a semaphore. This structure was replaced by TV6 signal also seen in this gallery. In the background 25175 climbs the Lichfield Spur with 8T20 Lichfield Rom River - Toton empty steel coil carriers. |
Lichfield TV Jct No.6 signal - note the interesting signal prefix "TV6" to avoid confusion with Lichfield TV No1 box (LD). This signal was brought into use as part of the "Cross City Line" electrification and resignalling when TV Jct became fring to Aston SCC on 12th October 1992. |
The illuminated diagram at TV Jct was installed in 1992 in conection with the electrification of the Cross City line. At this time TV Jct became a fringe box to Aston SC. Currently TV Jct works TCB to Aston, AB to Alrewas and AB with direction levers over the single line to Lichfield Trent Valley No1. However, from 8th october 2007 the Spur to the WCML was taken out of use to permit work on the TV4 project, when it reopens in March 2008 the box will work to Rugby SCC. |
The 45 lever LNWR tumbler frame in TV Jct. |
A further view of the lever frame in Lichfield TV Jct. The red/brown lever reversed (No5) controls the extended overlap on signal TV6 and allows unrestricted approach from Astons last signal AN165. With lever 5 normal the junction is released but Aston can still clear AN165 albeit with a delayed yellow reading into the platform and a reduced overlap on TV6. |
Good friday 2007, hired in DRS 66 no.66419 passes Lichfield TV Jct box and descends the Lichfield Spur with the diverted 4M81 Felixstowe - Basford Hall service. |
