Signal Box [Mt Albert Signal Box]
Maker and role
New Zealand Government Rail, Commissioned by
Production date
1914
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1966.155
Production period
Description
Signal Box for the Mount Albert Railway Station. Constructed by the New Zealand Government Railways. The structure is built from rimu and has two levels. The upstairs room houses 30 levers which were used to operate the track points and signals.
Brief History
This signal box was built in 1914 and situated at the Mt Albert Railway Station, in New North Road. It was moved to MOTAT in 1966, when the control of the trains became centralised at the Auckland Railway Station.
The signal box was the workplace of the signalman. This job involved controlling the flow of trains on the line to make sure there were no This signal box was built in 1914 and situated at the Mt Albert Railway Station. It was moved to MOTAT in 1966, when the control of the trains became centralised at the Auckland Railway Station. The signal box was the workplace of the signalman. This job involved ensuring the safe flow of trains on the section of Main Line track either side of the allocated station and the rerouting of trains into the station yard to cross other trains or for the delivery of freight. The system was made up of 30 levers, some of which would operate the track and some the signals. The levers were attached to cables (to signalling) and rodding (to point) which ran underneath the platform. These allowed the signalman to physically move the points (movable rails) remotely from the signal box to send the trains off onto another part of the line. The ground floor contained an interlocking system which meant that they could not allow two trains on the same piece of track. Signal boxes, like railway stations, were built to a standard design and this is a typical example of its time. Its height gave the signalman a clear view of the tracks and signals they were controlling. It is currently located at MOTAT 1.
The signal box was the workplace of the signalman. This job involved controlling the flow of trains on the line to make sure there were no This signal box was built in 1914 and situated at the Mt Albert Railway Station. It was moved to MOTAT in 1966, when the control of the trains became centralised at the Auckland Railway Station. The signal box was the workplace of the signalman. This job involved ensuring the safe flow of trains on the section of Main Line track either side of the allocated station and the rerouting of trains into the station yard to cross other trains or for the delivery of freight. The system was made up of 30 levers, some of which would operate the track and some the signals. The levers were attached to cables (to signalling) and rodding (to point) which ran underneath the platform. These allowed the signalman to physically move the points (movable rails) remotely from the signal box to send the trains off onto another part of the line. The ground floor contained an interlocking system which meant that they could not allow two trains on the same piece of track. Signal boxes, like railway stations, were built to a standard design and this is a typical example of its time. Its height gave the signalman a clear view of the tracks and signals they were controlling. It is currently located at MOTAT 1.
Collection
Credit Line
New Zealand Government Rail. 1914. Signal Box [Mt Albert Signal Box], 1966.155. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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