Marley Hill Signalbox

Marley Hill signalbox on 27 August 2017

Marley Hill signalbox controlled coal trains on the Bowes Railway & Tanfield Branch at a crossing immediately adjacent to the box.   The signalbox was demolished when the crossing closed, but was rebuilt by us on the original foundations & remaining lower walls.   It now controls our passenger routes around Marley Hill & Andrews House (see diagram below).

A route diagram showing the points & signals controlled from MH box
The numbers correspond to levers shown below

The frame has levers numbered 1 to 15 (L to R), coded red=signal, black=points, blue=lock
The frame is shown set for a train to enter AH from the south & head for Sunniside

The lever frame was purchased from BR Howdon on Tyne signalbox, and was manufactured in 1943 by Westinghouse Brake & Signal Co.   There is full point & signal interlocking with tokens for the line north & south of the control area of the box.

Cochrane passing MH box heading north on 27 August 2017
(An original Marley Hill name board is on display in the NRM)

A BR N10 taking pit props & empties south on the Tanfield Branch in 1952
(photo Armstrong Trust / Les Charlton)

NCB No.12 taking fulls towards east on the Bowes Railway to Birkheads in the 1950s)
(photo Armstrong Trust)