Clear Normal Speed -John Sinnatt
This is the definitive introduction to three-position signalling on the Victorian Railways. In this booklet, published by the now-defunct ARHS Victorian Division in 1966, John Sinnatt uses increasingly complex real world examples to explain to the novice the intricacies of VR’s automatic signalling system. Introduced in 1915 along with electrifying Melbourne’s suburban network, although based on US practice this system is unique to Victoria.
Stations whose signalling is explained in detail are : Victoria Park, Maldon Junction, Armadale, Kensington, Box Hill, South Yarra, Upwey, Longwood Loop and Wodonga Coal Sidings.
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Signal Boxes of the NSW Railways and Tramways – Bob Taaffe
These works were originally published in hardcopy form in the period leading up to the Covid lockdown. Each volume is searchable using the in built Acrobat search function.
It is proposed to update the content in stages in the near future and these updates will be posted on this site. If you have any additional photographs, particularly to fill in the location gaps, please contact the author via the address on the front cover of each volume.
Electric Token In Australia – Bob Taaffe
This series covers the history of electric tablet and electric staff systems in Australia. Each chapter covers a different railway with chapter one looking at the patents and general technology development, chapters two to eight will cover each railway in the order they introduced electric token and the chapter nine will compare practices.
As each chapter is completed it will be added to the website. Each chapter is searchable using the in built Acrobat search function. If you have any additional information please contact the author via the website address on page 2 of each chapter.
A History of NSW Railway Stations 1855 – 2005 – Stuart Sharp
A series of chapters that cover the development of railway stations in NSW. They were originally written as a year by year chronicle. These year by year chronicles were then collated into suitable groupings which we have called chapters. Because of the way it was originally written there will be some duplication from one year to the next, but it was decided that in the interest of completing the work not to undertake any significant rewriting or heavy editing.
Each chapter is searchable using the in built Acrobat search function. If you have any additional information please contact the author via the website address on page 2 of each chapter.
Chapters:
1 2 3 Download All (These files are formatted for A3 landscape)
Blocking Back
A complete set of the SRS NSW group’s newsletter “Blocking Back” from 1977 to 1999 after which it ceased publication.
Occasional Papers
A collection of miscellaneous articles related to railway signalling, including those not suitable for Somersault.
Signalling Contractor Catalogues
A collection of historical catalogues from many signalling contractors active in Australia and overseas.
