Starting, Stopping, Passing, Crossing
Any knowledgeable rail enthusiast would look at the above picture whilst shedding a tear or two at the passing of Rye's traditional signal box. The ding of the bells, the clang of the point and signal levers and the gentle hiss of the wires between box and signal are all gone.
But, if so, why has the signal box been repainted in traditional Southern Railway green and cream?
And why are the windows white!
Then there is this ...
... a posh Walkway from Platform 1 to posh cabin!
Surely this is more than nostalgic preservation? There is even a proper bridge across the drainage ditch at the foot of the posh steps.
Back in the day, there wasn't even a ditch!
If you were invited in to the hallowed world of the signalman, you would espy the traditional operating levers ...
... but most are painted white denoting that the levers are no longer in use.
Rye station used to have a goods yard ...
But as well as traditional signal box appurtenances, you might see this ...
... a collection of buttons and tv screens. Furthermore, if you look closely, you may spot that the tv sets are showing views of two level crossings.
We are told that the box is in operation seven days a week throughout the hours when trains are running.
At both ends of the station, the passing loop reverts to single track ...
... to be followed immediately by a level crossing.
Here they are on a chunk of street map.
And here they are courtesy of Google Earth. Rye Hill is to the east ...
... and Ferry Road to the west.
With trains passing every hour and the need to manage both level crossings, signalling could easily be a bit tricky.
There will be red/green colour light signals to protect the level crossings from approaching trains, then 'starter' signals on the platforms will protect the crossing gates when trains leave.
There will be pressure to open the barriers for road traffic as soon as practically. There could easily be two openings at both ends during the time that trains are passing.
Apparently a cheery signal man ...
... can make a better job of the decision making than a shed full of electronics at Ashford.
There is hope for humanity yet!
It is worth remembering that, back in the day, both level crossings would have their own crossing keepers box ...
... as above at Ferry Road. These boxes would be mechanically interlocked with signals and the diddy signalbox seen in the distance above.
By The Way ...
... there is no ferry on Ferry Road. There was once, when the River Rother was navigable by bigger sailing ships with tall masts.
... later replaced by a fixed span. Today's crossing is reduced to single track, just half of the hefty girder bridge.
Rye is a fascinating station with a proud and varied public transport history. Bearing in mind the caff/florists, a visit to town and station would be stimulating in the extreme.
Ancient readers may remember a TV series called Mapp and Lucia.
It was set in Rye!
The engraving below is titled "Rye from the Ferry".
Likewise the first railway crossing was via a swing bridge ...
Talking of Mapp ...
Next Convalescent Cartography blog : Fri 26 June
