WCML Resignalling film (1974)

It was explained to me elsewhere that the 1960's Panels were being replaced ahead of many century old mechanical frames because parts were no longer available to maintain the panels and they had become unreliable. Mechanical frames on the other hand could be repaired with basic tools.

" said:

It was explained to me elsewhere that the 1960's Panels were being replaced ahead of many century old mechanical frames because parts were no longer available to maintain the panels and they had become unreliable. Mechanical frames on the other hand could be repaired with basic tools.

I'd be interested in this source - elsewhere you mention a forum: is that the source?

Regardless, let's see. King's Cross, 1970s panel IIRC, just recently had a whole bunch of tiles replaced to add in the new Thameslink connections. Victoria, not so many years ago, remodelled Crystal Palace. Wimbledon had changes for the West London line. In fact the only type of panel where I can't think of a major alteration (requiring plenty of those mythical spare parts) are the Western turn'n'push - but am happy to be corrected on that. Lots of boxes have had buttons and lamps replaced, the latter with LEDs. Of course, you can still get filament lamps but why bother?

Also logically mechanical boxes aren't exactly a priority to replace since very few remain on main lines - if any, depending on your definition of "main line".

" said:

It was explained to me elsewhere that the 1960's Panels were being replaced ahead of many century old mechanical frames because parts were no longer available to maintain the panels and they had become unreliable. Mechanical frames on the other hand could be repaired with basic tools.

I'd be interested in this source - elsewhere you mention a forum: is that the source?

Regardless, let's see. King's Cross, 1970s panel IIRC, just recently had a whole bunch of tiles replaced to add in the new Thameslink connections. Victoria, not so many years ago, remodelled Crystal Palace. Wimbledon had changes for the West London line. In fact the only type of panel where I can't think of a major alteration (requiring plenty of those mythical spare parts) are the Western turn'n'push - but am happy to be corrected on that. Lots of boxes have had buttons and lamps replaced, the latter with LEDs. Of course, you can still get filament lamps but why bother?

Also logically mechanical boxes aren't exactly a priority to replace since very few remain on main lines - if any, depending on your definition of "main line".

More recent work at Swindon saw alterations in connection with the doubling of the Kemble Line, which involved several intermediate stages and finally a new fringe put in when the line went over to the TVSC. I also believe that Swindon is now on at least the third set of train describers (having started with mechanical ones!), showing how easily components are replaced.

If I remember correctly, I think the Swindon Panel Society have also said it's possible to get new tiles made if required (although they're looking to use tiles from other panels where possible, as it's cheaper, naturally).

" said:

It was explained to me elsewhere that the 1960's Panels were being replaced ahead of many century old mechanical frames because parts were no longer available to maintain the panels and they had become unreliable. Mechanical frames on the other hand could be repaired with basic tools.

I'd be interested in this source - elsewhere you mention a forum: is that the source?

Regardless, let's see. King's Cross, 1970s panel IIRC, just recently had a whole bunch of tiles replaced to add in the new Thameslink connections. Victoria, not so many years ago, remodelled Crystal Palace. Wimbledon had changes for the West London line. In fact the only type of panel where I can't think of a major alteration (requiring plenty of those mythical spare parts) are the Western turn'n'push - but am happy to be corrected on that. Lots of boxes have had buttons and lamps replaced, the latter with LEDs. Of course, you can still get filament lamps but why bother?

Also logically mechanical boxes aren't exactly a priority to replace since very few remain on main lines - if any, depending on your definition of "main line".

" said:

" said:

It was explained to me elsewhere that the 1960's Panels were being replaced ahead of many century old mechanical frames because parts were no longer available to maintain the panels and they had become unreliable. Mechanical frames on the other hand could be repaired with basic tools.

I'd be interested in this source - elsewhere you mention a forum: is that the source?

Regardless, let's see. King's Cross, 1970s panel IIRC, just recently had a whole bunch of tiles replaced to add in the new Thameslink connections. Victoria, not so many years ago, remodelled Crystal Palace. Wimbledon had changes for the West London line. In fact the only type of panel where I can't think of a major alteration (requiring plenty of those mythical spare parts) are the Western turn'n'push - but am happy to be corrected on that. Lots of boxes have had buttons and lamps replaced, the latter with LEDs. Of course, you can still get filament lamps but why bother?

Also logically mechanical boxes aren't exactly a priority to replace since very few remain on main lines - if any, depending on your definition of "main line".

I think anyone would struggle to come up with a definition of "main line" that would exclude Stockport ;)

" said:

Also logically mechanical boxes aren't exactly a priority to replace since very few remain on main lines - if any, depending on your definition of "main line".

I think anyone would struggle to come up with a definition of "main line" that would exclude Stockport ;)

And it works the other way round as well: A number of relay interlockings have been replaced by computer-based ones, while still being controlled from the original signalling panel.

I was under the impression that most of the Mini CRTs have been replaced yonks ago, using the property that these systems appear to have been designed with foresight in an at least somewhat modular manner, so all the CRT modules at some point were replaced with more modern things (I don't recall what, presumably LEDs). Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Aside from the NYC Subway, almost all large panel displays in North America have been replaced by video display walls. :dry:

Much like the big PSB's, they've become a status object for management.

https://www.acm.jhu.edu//~sthurmovik/Railpics/13-05-11_SEPTA_CONTROL/SEPTA_1234-Control-Room-RRD-Big-Board-R1-R3-R8.html

I do like the idea of large video walls. Seems like it would give a much better overview of events. I'm assuming (in our IECC and IECC-like setups) we don't have anything similar, except maybe something like SimSig's overview screen which doesn't have much in the way of detail/clarity?

Aside from some video walls as already noted, I think every VDU signaller has access to CCF which shows a graphical display of a large selection of areas - same sort of information as on Open Train Times maps - funnily enough because the data tends to come from the same source!

" said:

Aside from some video walls as already noted, I think every VDU signaller has access to CCF which shows a graphical display of a large selection of areas - same sort of information as on Open Train Times maps - funnily enough because the data tends to come from the same source!

Would non-VDU signallers have access to such on the computers they often have for use with TOPS, etc?

I do like the idea of large video walls. Seems like it would give a much better overview of events. I'm assuming (in our IECC and IECC-like setups) we don't have anything similar, except maybe something like SimSig's overview screen which doesn't have much in the way of detail/clarity?