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| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 15/12/2010 at 11:06 #2114 | |
Right Away
71 posts |
If you have not thought of what you would like for Christmas you may still have a little time left in which to drop a hint to your beloved. I am almost at the end of an excellent book called ‘Two Centuries of Railway Signalling’, second edition, by Geoffrey Kichenside and Alan Williams. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Centuries-Signalling-Williams-Geoffrey-Kichenside/dp/086093618X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292410085&sr=1-1 Alas, I do not have a railway or signalling background but this book is a fascinating read even to a layman. It is packed full of detail and pictures from the very early days of basic ‘signalling’ by a flag or arm waving policeman right up to today’s massive signalling centres and the evolution of signalling equipment and procedures along the lines, in the signal boxes and on the trains throughout the years. Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 15/12/2010 at 11:06 #12897 | |
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Right Away
71 posts |
If you have not thought of what you would like for Christmas you may still have a little time left in which to drop a hint to your beloved. I am almost at the end of an excellent book called ‘Two Centuries of Railway Signalling’, second edition, by Geoffrey Kichenside and Alan Williams. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Centuries-Signalling-Williams-Geoffrey-Kichenside/dp/086093618X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292410085&sr=1-1 Alas, I do not have a railway or signalling background but this book is a fascinating read even to a layman. It is packed full of detail and pictures from the very early days of basic ‘signalling’ by a flag or arm waving policeman right up to today’s massive signalling centres and the evolution of signalling equipment and procedures along the lines, in the signal boxes and on the trains throughout the years. Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 15/12/2010 at 20:45 #12907 | |
UKTrainMan
1803 posts |
Sounds interesting. Whilst in London once, myself and some friends (fellow enthusiasts) paid a visit to the Ian Allan bookshop, which I never knew was so close to London Waterloo station, and there was a book of some interest to me as it was a signalling handbook (or something like that). It sounds to me like this book you've posted up about may perhaps be more detailed than the one I looked at. In-fact, a quick check on Amazon and it may be this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Signalling-Handbook-Stanley-Hall/dp/0711034621/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292445370&sr=1-1 I think if I were to purchase either of these books, I would go for the one you've suggested as, like I said above, it sounds a bit more feature-rich...if that makes sense. Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for. Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 15/12/2010 at 22:22 #12913 | |
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Danny252
1461 posts |
I'd like to second RA's reccomendation - it's a fairly detailed book, but also accessible to just about everyone with an interest in signalling. The Modern Signalling Handbook, I found, was slightly more technical - and, somewhat obviously, it only covers more modern technology! Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 16/12/2010 at 12:01 #12918 | |
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Right Away
71 posts |
I saw the ‘ABC Modern Signalling Handbook’ by Stanley Hall on sale several months ago and had a quick browse. It’s a pocket size book so might come in handy. If all 128 pages are devoted to the current era it may contain additional detail. I must take another look at it.
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| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 16/12/2010 at 13:56 #12919 | |
outofsection
149 posts |
It is probably the "benchmark" book which details the development of (predominantly British) railway signalling over the years. It describes the evolution of signalling in this country - right from the very early days of "policemen" (bobbys) standing along the track at regular intervals right up to today's IECC systems. I have a copy and can heartily recommend it. If you want something that covers more of the details of the development of individual railway companies' sginalling systems, then this is very good. Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 16/12/2010 at 20:42 #12922 | |
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Adrian the Rock
111 posts |
This book is essentially a much expanded followup to Kitchenside & Williams' British Railway Signalling, which was published in four editions between 1963 and 1978, each subsequent one updated to reflect recent developments. Even then, that was regarded as almost the definitive work on signalling for lay readers. Unlike BRS, Two Centuries is written with more of a historical perspective rather than an attempt to describe only the contemporary situation. A very good book indeed, though I did find one or two errors such as the comments made on the release mechanism incorporated in the ex-GWR single line lock and block system still in use between Malvern Wells and Ledbury, where the authors had clearly failed to understand that the release mechanism is co-operative (ie it needs both signallers to operate it simultaneously to obtain a release). Log in to reply |
| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 17/12/2010 at 17:17 #12930 | |
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Tristan
60 posts |
I can also vouch for the fact that it is a very good book well worth a read.
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| Two Centuries of Railway Signalling 17/12/2010 at 21:02 #12931 | |
ajax103
1120 posts |
Right Away said:If you have not thought of what you would like for Christmas you may still have a little time left in which to drop a hint to your beloved. I am almost at the end of an excellent book called ‘Two Centuries of Railway Signalling’, second edition, by Geoffrey Kichenside and Alan Williams.Yep, I brought two copies and it's well worth it (I brought the second one as a gift). Log in to reply |