Smallbrook Junction

The Signalbox at Smallbrook Junction was only used in the summer seasons when traffic levels were higher due to the influx of holidaymakers on the Island. During these seasons the line from Ryde St Johns to Smallbrook Junction was worked as double track, after which it diverged into the single lines to Newport and Cowes and to Sandown and Ventnor. During the remainder of the year, when traffic was a lot lighter, this stretch was worked as two adjacent single lines with the junction at Ryde St Johns. This photograph was taken from a train travelling from Ventnor to Ryde which is about to give up the single line token for the section from Brading. The signal on the left is on the section from Haven Street to Smallbrook Junction. In the winter months these arms were removed, as were fixed distant arms in advance of the Junction. Situated in the middle of nowhere, there was never a need for a station here, though today there is an interchange platform for passengers transferring between the Island Line and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Unfortunately the box is long gone and all that is to be found here today is the ground frame in a garden shed which controls the IoWSR run-round loop. photograph: Mike Morant collection

This is the view of the box after the Ryde-bound train has passed. The line to Newport and Cowes can be seen curving away to the right photograph: Mike Morant collection

All photographs are copyright

This page was created 12 July 2007

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