The Up and Down Main lines between this signal box and City Basin Junction are worked in accordance with Regulations for Train Signalling on Double Lines by the Absolute Block System.
The Up and Down Central lines between this signal box and Exeter Central 'B' are worked in accordance with Regulations for Train Signalling on Double Lines by the Absolute Block System.
The Up and Down Goods lines between this signal box and Exeter Goods Yard are worked in accordance with modified Regulations for Train Signalling by the Permissive Block System. Block bells only are provided between this signal box and Exeter Goods Yard and are to be employed for description purposes only. The 'Train Out of Section' bell signal will not be sent or received on these lines. Under normal circumstances Passenger trains are not allowed to run over these lines, and should such a movement be required working by the Absolute Block System must be instituted.
| Down Line Received | Code |
| Class A train not booked to stop at Exeter | 3-3-3 |
| Down Line Received and Sent | |
| Freight train for City Basin | 1-2 |
| Freight train for Alphington Road | 4-3 |
| Down Line Sent | |
| 'Is Line Clear?' for: | |
| Class A train not booked to stop at Newton Abbot for: | |
| Plymouth line | 3-3-3 |
| Paignton line | 3-3-1 |
| Up Line Received and Sent | |
| Class A train not booked to stop at Exeter | 3-3-3 |
| Freight Train from City Basin | 1-2 |
| Received and Sent between Exeter Central 'B' and Exeter Middle | |
| Southern Region Passenger Train | 1-4-1 |
| Southern Region Freight or Ballast Train | 3-4-1 |
| Southern Region Parcels or Perishables Train | 4-2-2 |
| Southern Region Light Engine (other than assisting) | 1-5 |
| Southern Region Assisting Engine | 1-2-4 |
| Southern Region Empty Coaching Stock | 7-2 |
| Southern Region Breakdown Train or Light Engine going to assist disabled train | 7-3 |
| Interchange Engine (SR to WR or vice versa) | 5-1 |
| Received and Sent between Exeter West and Exeter Middle | |
| Light locomotive from or to Shed or Riverside Yard | 2-3-4 |
| Light locomotive not running through | 2-3-2 |
| Locomotive with vehicles attached | 2-2-4 |
In accordance with clause (e) of this regulation, the Is Line Clear? bell signal for trains not booked to call at Exeter West must be forwarded immediately upon receipt. For trains on the Up Main line booked to call at Exeter, the Is Line Clear? signal should be forwarded as soon as possible after receipt if City Basin Junction Box is in circuit. When this box is switched out, the Is line Clear? signal should be forwarded on receipt of Train Entering Section from the box in rear.
Is Line Clear? must be sent for Down trains booked to call at Exeter when the train is ready to depart.
The Train Approaching bell signal will be received and acknowledged to Exeter Middle on the Down Main line, and will signify that a Class A train not stopping at Exeter has just passed Cullompton. The Train Approaching bell signal will be received at this box before the Is Line Clear? signal for such trains, and Signalmen must make every effort to clear traffic so that Is Line Clear? may be acknowledged as soon as possible.
Absolute Block Regulation 4
For the purpose of accepting Down trains booked to call at Exeter, the following modified clearing points will apply:
Down Main Platform
The line must be clear into the down siding as far as points 106 and points 107 secured correctly in position.
Down Main
For trains booked to stop the line must be clear to signal 98/99, points 112 set in the normal position. For trains booked not to stop the standard clearing point will apply. In both cases the detonators worked by lever 110 must be in position on the rail until it is possible to clear the signals for the train.
Down Middle
The line must be clear to signal 117, and trap point 114 at the end of the platform must be closed.
Down Central
The Is Line Clear bell signal must not be acknowledged to Exeter Central B for a Down train until the route is set for an unoccupied line and Line Clear has been received from Exeter Middle.
Absolute Block Regulation 4A
The provisions of this Regulation are applicable at this signal box, as necessary, for trains on the Down Main line.
Absolute Block Regulation 5
In connection with the working of light locomotives from Exeter Central B, if Line Clear cannot be obtained from Exeter Middle for such a movement, it may be accepted in accordance with Regulation 5, providing that the line is clear beyond signal no. 87 as far as signal no. 37.
Absolute Block Regulation 31
The provisions of this regulation are applicable to the lines between this signal box and Exeter Middle.
Absolute Block Regulation 32
The provisions of this regulation are applicable to the lines between this signal box and Exeter Middle.
Working of Up Lines Between this Box and Exeter Middle
Should a train require to enter one of these lines when it is already occupied, the Is Line Clear? bell signal will not be acknowledged, but the bell signal 2-4-2 sent and acknowledged. The movement must be brought to a stand at the signal controlling the entrance to the occupied line, and the appropriate Calling On signal lowered.
A second train may be allowed to enter an occupied platform for connecting purposes only, and only if there is sufficient room for the second train to stand clear. During fog or falling snow a Handsignalman must be positioned in the rear of the first train and exhibit a red handsignal before the second train is allowed to enter.
Shunting on Up and Down Central Lines
Owing to the severe gradient on these lines, shunting moves should not be made onto them unless absolutely necessary. This will not apply to locomotives running around trains or travelling to the Up Central Spur.
Fog Marking Point
The Fog Marking Point for this signal box is Signal 117 (Up Central Starting).
Working of the Incline between Exeter St. Davids and Exeter Central
For special instructions in connection with this working, see Instructions to Western Region Employees when working over the Southern Region.
Not more than four engines, including the train engine, must be attached to any passenger or freight train. Only fully fitted trains are permitted to have two assisting engines in the rear.
When 'Line clear' has been obtained for a train to depart over the Up Central line, signal 117 must be lowered, but no further action should be taken until the Distant signal for Exeter Central 'B', situated below signal 117, has been seen to move to the 'Clear' position. Signal 118, 119 or 120 may then be lowered as appropriate.
Working of Cattle Pens Siding Ground Frame
The Ground Frame operating the crossover connection leading from the Down to Up Goods Line and connection leading to the Cattle Pens Sidings together with the Disc for backing movements along the Down Goods Line as far as the Cattle Pens Ground Frame, is controlled from this signal box and is worked in accordance with the Instructions for Working Ground Frames operated by Interlocking Lever at Signal Box and Key Release Instrument at Ground Frame.
Telephone communication is provided between the Ground Frame and this signal box.
Working of engines to and From Locomotive Shed
Telephone communication is provided between this signal box and the Running & Maintenance Yard for the purpose of regulating the passage of engines.
Engines Arriving
The operation of admitting engines to the Running & Maintenance Yard must normally be confined to the Turntable Road. If this is not possible the Running & Maintenance Foreman must communicate with the Signalman at this signal box and come to a clear understanding as to what is required to be done.
Engines Departing
Upon receiving a telephone advice that an engine or engines are ready to leave the Yard, the Signalman at this box must, if circumstances permit, immediately set his points and lower the signal for the engine to leave the Yard. If he cannot permit the engine to leave the Yard straight away, the Fireman must be so informed by telephone.
On each occasion that an engine or engines leave the Yard, the Signalman must satisfy himself as to the destination and order of the movements to be made.
Shunting within the Running & Maintenance Yard
An electric switch controlling the points worked from this signal box leading to the Running & Maintenance Yard is provided in the telephone box in the Yard. When it is necessary for a shunting move to be made across the connection leading from the yard to the Main Line the person in charge must obtain permission from the Signalman in this signal box for the move to be made. If the Signalman gives his permission the switch will be placed from Right for Signal Box to Right for Yard which will electrically lock the points in the Normal position.
Upon completion of shunting, the Signalman will be advised and the switch must be restored to the Right for Signal box position.
Working of Points leading from Engine Shed to Up Goods Line
The points leading from the engine Shed Sidings to the Up Goods Line must be kept padlocked and the key, when not in use, retained in this signal box. When the Siding is to be used the Signalman must hand the padlock key to the Running & Maintenance Foreman who must arrange for the working of the points. A lever collar must be placed on the lever of the Up Main Inner Home to Up Goods Signal, and no Up trains or engines must be admitted into the Goods Yard until the Key has been returned and the Signalman is assured that the line is clear and the points are properly locked in their normal position.
Working of Freight Trains over Up & Down Goods Lines
When Exeter Goods Yard Box is switched out, all Freight Trains entering or leaving Riverside Yard must as far as possible do so at Exeter East Box.
In the event of a Freight Train requiring to enter or leave Riverside Yard along the Goods Lines while Goods Box is switched out, the Signalman at this box and the Yard Inspector must come to a clear understanding as to what is to be done. A competent person must accompany the movement in order to handsignal the train past the Goods Yard Box Home Signal and across Exwick Level Crossing.
Accommodation Crossing between Exminster and Starcross
Arrangements have been made for the City of Exeter Fire Brigade, in the event of their being called to a fire at the Turf Hotel, to telephone Control, from which it will be understood that an appliance with trailer pump equipped with winders has left the Exeter Fire Station by road and that in approximately 20 minutes time it will require to be taken over (or delivery pipes taken under, if adjoining fields are flooded) the Accommodation Crossing at 199m. 35ch. between Exminster and Starcross.
Immediately upon receipt of this telephone message, Control will instruct the signalboxes in circuit on either side of the crossing to warn all trains until the message is received from the Fire Brigade that the fire Party have cleared the crossing which will be passed on to the signalboxes concerned. When the Fire Brigade have completed operations, a further message will be passed on either side of the crossing to warn all trains until the advice is given that the Fire Party have returned back over the crossing.