Swanage Railway Signalling
Not always in the public eye, our signallers are always present to make sure things run as smoothly as possible for our steam trains. From shunting at Swanage to exchanging single-line tokens it’s a vital and rewarding role.
Signaller
Our regular steam service operates between Swanage and Norden and is controlled by either 2 or 3 signalboxes, depending on how many trains are running that day. Each signalbox is under the control of a trained signaller who interacts with the other boxes and the train crew to ensure a safe service.
All of our signallers undergo a detailed and formal training programme before starting their training in the signalbox itself. This consists of 8 classroom sessions (each one completed with a written exam) and 2 practical sessions.
Once the theory part of the training is complete, then each signaller begins their training in an operational signalbox under the watchful eye of a trainer. The aim of these training sessions is to get fully familiarised with the day to day running of that particular signalbox and its specific rules and operating quirks, which means that once the trainee is ready to pass out, they are able to run that box and section of the line all on their own.
We ask that all of our Signallers qualify as Porters before starting their signalbox training.
Useful Information
The classroom sessions take place at Corfe Castle station and Harmans Cross signalbox is generally the first one to be learned once the foundation training is complete. Once qualified there, after a year or so, the next box to learn is Corfe Castle, which also covers Norden Gates (which only needs to be open if trains are heading past Norden up the extension towards Wareham). The final box, and therefore the most complex is Swanage, which covers the yard area and can involve a lot of shunting and departmental movements.
Is this role for me? Signalling requires an ability to solve problems and to follow rules and regulations in a calm and logical manner. There is a physical element to the role, but it is generally not very strenuous.