BELLAIR SIGNALS
One of Bellair's attractions is that, despite the relatively simple layout, it features many of the different types of semaphore signals in South Africa, having both double and single line sections around the station, as well as the very rare "wrong road" signal by virtue of the single platform.
The unusual Up Home signal post (levers 28, 29 and 30). The "wrong road" signal is the middle of the three posts (lever 29) but is the most common path for trains as this is only line that has a platform for the suburban trains that now form just about all the traffic on the line. In this picture, it is in the line clear position for a forthcoming train.
Another view of the same signals taken from a train by Greg Hart.
The Home Signal post on the Malvern side recently got blown down by the wind (early 2005) but has been replaced in this picture by Greg Hart, although the arm for entrance into the loop line seems to be gone. This post also features a "wrong road" signal although it would be cleared much less often.
The Route Signal that allows entrance from the platform to the single line to Malvern (lever 7). This is technically a down line and a "wrong-road" signal, but due to the platform being on this line, would be commonly used. A relatively new sign setting out that this is a token section can also be seen.
The route signals on the up and loop lines (levers 9 and 11). To the right of the picture, you can also see the down (wrong-road) route signal from the previous picure (lever 7). Picture by Greg Hart.
Two shots of the outer home and distant signal on the Malvern end by Greg Hart. In the first, the outer home signal is cleared. The distant signal is fixed to caution.
Starting signals are only used in South Africa on double track sections. These two pictures show the starting signal (number 22) on the Rossburgh end of the station where there is double track. Pictures by Greg Hart.
There are even dwarf signals for shunting movements. The first picture shows the two dwarf signals on the loop line (levers 16 and 18) while the second shows dwarf signals on the "wrong road" line, lever 20. Pictures by Greg Hart.
Points indicator on the loop line.
Our final type of signal is the Intermediate Home Signal (number 31), which is the first semaphore signal in the Rossburgh direction. The third shot is in evocative twilight. All three of these pictures by Greg Hart, who also contributed extensive information to these pages.
Back to the main Bellair page
Back to the home signal page!