Erection of signals at Hampton Loade started in 1971 and installation
of mechanical locking, incorporating the frame from Ledbury North End,
started in 1972. By 19 May 1973 all connections had been made to the box
and commissioning had been completed. Token working to Bridgnorth was
introduced a few weeks later, working up to then having been under
'one engine in steam'.
Token working to Highley was introduced on 2 March 1974 and passenger
services were extended southwards from Hampton Loade on 13 April 1974.
Switching out was commissioned in 1975 in tome for the Whitsun holiday
but it was not until 1981 that the down distant was brought into use
and 1982 for the up distant.
This completed the work at Hampton Loade although an overhaul of the
point rodding was carried out in 1982 and the box rewired in 1983.
In 1992 a minor overhaul of the mechanical locking was also carried out.
Hampton Loade is normally switched out at the end of the train service
once up and down trains have arrived at Highley and Bridgnorth. This
is done with the cooperation of the other signalmen and releases the
locking to allow signals to be cleared in both directions and switches
bell communication through from Bridgnorth to Highley on 'long section'
working. When switched in, up trains must arrive in the up platform
and down trains in the down platform although there is provision for
an up train to terminate and then to return to Bridgnorth from the
up platform.
Click here to see the box diagram.