YOUR STATE YOUR PLACE
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The Your State Your Place project was launched in March this year as a
joint initiative of the NSW Heritage Office and the Royal Australian
Historical Society. The project is a community research program to provide
information about entries in the State Heritage Inventory database.
Historical societies and individuals around the State are currently
researching heritage items in their local area. Heritage NSW looks at the
latest item to be evaluated under the program: Hornsby Signal Box. |
An interior view of Hornsby signal box shortly before it was brought into service n 1928 |
For seventy years Hornsby Signal Box was a source of trusted information to
guide train drivers safely to their destination. There are very few such
workplaces surviving in Australia, particularly with electro-mechanical
machines
in place.
Hornsby Signal Box at Hornsby Railway Station is one of a group of signal
boxes built as part of the Sydney Electrification Scheme in the 1920s and
30s to house electro-mechanical interlocking machines. These 'Type J'
signal boxes were probably the most elaborate ever designed and built by
the NSWR Signal & Telegraph Branch, and Hornsby remains the last example in
essentially original condition.
The history of the signal box was researched by Bob Taaffe. The signal box
contributes to the history of transport and the growth of technology in
NSW. It is currently listed on the State Rail Authority's Section 170
Heritage & Conservation Register. It has also been identified in the annual
review of the Hornsby LEP as a heritage item.
The Signal Box is valued for its grand style, possibly the largest and most
imposing style used by NSWR. It features embellishments such as verandah,
roof and spiral staircase found in few other modest railway buildings. It
is possibly the best example of a large power signal box to remain in
service in Australia.
The interlocking machine found at Hornsby is one of only two remaining in
service. An interlocking machine contains the levers for operating the
points and signals and is configured in such a way as to prevent
conflicting movements. In other words it stops collisions, accidents or
derailments.
The 120 lever Type H power interlocking machine is located on the operating
level of the signal box. The machine was wholly made in the Signal Branch's
own workshops and largely copied from US models introduced into NSW in 1916
and 1918. The Type H machines were built and installed between 1924 and
1928, with the Hornsby machine one of the last to be installed, being
brought into use on 16th September 1928. Above the machine is a large
'light in' type track circuit diagram that is still in use. Train operated
phones and a train register desk were attached to the front wall, but have
been removed.
The signal box, interlocking machine and relay room are survivors of an
important era in railway signalling. They have historic value as probably
the best remaining examples of the complete rebuilding of the suburban
railway system for electrification. This project was so important at the
time that the Institution of Engineers produced a special volume of papers
in 1926 to mark the event.
Hornsby Signal Box was essentially identical to those at Ashfield, Homebush
and Flemington Car Sidings, but only Hornsby remains close to its original
condition and it is the only one to retain the interlocking machine.
The signal box and its contents illustrate the technical change that
occurred with the introduction of electricity and air for signalling trains
over a larger area, replacing sheer brute force. It also represents a
workplace for several generations of signalmen and signal electricians.
For more information about Hornsby Signal Box contact Bob Taaffe on email:
taaffe@interconnect.com.au
