London Transport Railway Signal Boxes and other Interlockings - A Record and Inventory
The earliest parts of the London Underground opened in 1863. From the beginning, signalling at each station (and sometimes between stations) was controlled by signalmen operating from boxes or cabins where the levers controlling signals and points were concentrated. All levers were interlocked to reduce the risk of conflicting routes or inappropriate signal indications being given. All the connections with trackside equipment were purely mechanical.
From 1905, the new electric tubes and newly-electrified steam lines used miniature lever frames at junction and reversing stations, and points and signalling were controlled by electricity and compressed air actuated by miniature levers in nearby signal cabins; the levers were still mechanically interlocked. At all other stations signalling was operated purely automatically. The outcome was a drastic reduction in the numbers of signal boxes required, beginning a lengthy trend.
From the 1920s, the technology allowed ever larger geographical areas to be controlled from signal cabins and larger cabins slowly replaced a multiplicity of smaller ones. After the Second World War many cabins (old and new) were converted to remote control operation from another location, and some were built like this from new. Further technical progress meant the physical interlockings were separated from the signalman who actuated equipment through push-button technology, often from some distance away. Many of these unmanned cabins (better described as interlockings) were built like this from new. More recently signalmen were superseded altogether, initially by automatic 'programme machines' and more recently by local computers. Where this happened overall control and supervision was undertaken by a central control room. The outcome has been the near extinction of the signal cabin and technology has moved on so much that traditional mechanical interlockings are disappearing rapidly and will all be gone within a decade.
This web site lists all signal boxes, other interlockings and other examples of controlled signals on the Underground have been listed in alphabetical order by location. Over 700 locations have so far been recorded by the work should in no way be regarded as in any way complete. Notification of errors and omissions, and any amplifications, are always gratefully received. One day, when its author is happier about its completeness and accuracy, it is the intention to make this more readily available to the public.
To download the record and inventory, please click the upper button. Please give the above download several seconds to arrive as it is a large file. If you experience a problem using the button, there is an alternative link at the bottom of the previous column. Be aware file may take a few seconds to download.
The present download (version 9) is a composite edition. Entries for boxes starting letters A-Q have been entirely revised and in most cases source information is now indicated. A final column contains outstanding queries. Entries R-Z are from an earlier set with some revisions but with inconsistent formatting and some updates required. In both cases this should still be regarded as work in progress, however the A-Q section is substantially finished. The back end will be updated in due course.
(Last updated December 2019)
Like much historical research it is extremely difficult to get at all the facts. Where I have unearthed gaps and inconsistencies I have listed them. The present list may be found by clicking the button below. I would be very grateful if anyone can help me solve any of these mysteries. I add to the list from time to time. When a query is resolved, I move it from the query part of the list to the answered section at the end.