Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 20th, 1932

Electric Signal Control at Mexboro’

During the last few months the signalling system on the L.N.E.R. in the Mexborough station has been completely reorganized. The old “Mexborough East” and “Mexborough No.2 boxes, situated east and west of the station, have been demolished and all signal control concentrated in a new box (shown in the photograph) erected at the west end of the platform.

The box is fitted with 75 levers, all electrically controlled. Facing the signalman is an illuminated chart of the area under his control. This chart is shown in the upper photograph. Each track is represented by a small light which is extinguished only when the track is occupied. By this means the signalman is aware of the position of every train in his area.

The principle of track circuiting is similar to that operated on the London Underground except that that the “tube” train automatically cuts of the supply of power to the section immediately in its rear. In this case the track circuits supply power in a series of relays to the signal box. When a track is vacant the appropriate levers are free, when the track is occupied, they are locked. Only a small current about half a volt pressure, is used in these track circuits.

The system is intricate but very efficient and precludes the acceptance of two trains in one section. Mexborough is one of the first districts in which this method of control has been applied