The first visit to Wembley Yard, Wembley Mainline, Willesden Carriage Sidings South (WCSS) & North (WCSN), two manual boxes built in 1946 and commissioned about 1953, and Watford Junction signal boxes saw 18 members (including impressively five from Scotland and Anthorn) met at Stonebridge Park Station for the short walk to Wembley Mainline. This is a very busy temporary Signalling Centre replacing Euston Power Box in August 2000 when the layout was changed to accommodate modern trains and service patterns. It has four desk operated signalling positions in front of an illuminated wall display and a further modern VDU worked position for the DC lines. Control will eventually transfer to Rugby. In two rotating groups, members also saw an interesting display about the various Euston boxes and signalling over the years including the actual September 1965 panel with its 'steam age' more complicated layout. The second Scottish sleeper ECS set was observed being shunted into Wembley Intercity Depot. Wembley Yard is an NX based panel controlling the much reduced Princess Royal (Mail) Distribution Centre and the DBS Yard, but at least mail trains run again! Heavy freight traffic was expected via the Channel Tunnel but has failed to materialise and the single manned box is quiet. WCSS is a delightful museum piece and difficult to photograph from a public location, controlling the Up and Down Carriage lines to Willesden maintenance and stabling depot (geographically nearer Wembley).

WCSN closes at 14.00 daily so the party travelled by train to Wembley Central Station for the interesting walk to the box. It only controls a single reversible shunt line and the other end of the associated sidings. During the visit 08887 passed with a lounge sleeping train coach then ran down the lengthy wheel lathe branch which frustratingly we all needed! Brand new 377 702 and 377 704 Southern Electrostar dual voltage units passed on the daily driver training runs up and down the sidings in splendid isolation from other trains.

Then back to Wembley Central for the local service to Watford Junction to visit the doomed PSB. The panel is much shorter now; once controlling from Harrow and Wealdstone to Tring on the mainline as well as the four Watford Junction DC platforms and approaches. (Members had discovered earlier that platform 1 is used occasionally, but 4 is the preferred one working downwards). It now only signals the main line between Hatch End and Apsley. Over the next few months, as part of the Watford resignalling works, various sets of switches and crossovers are to be removed. During the visit with everything running normally, the signallers didn’t need to press any buttons, the four through routes were all set in auto mode. The box gives a unique panoramic view of Watford Junction particularly from the flat observation roof (with railings) outside. A number of people commented on the rather fetching varnished wood which is evident throughout the operating floor, including the signallers’ lockers, typical of the July 1964 era when it was commissioned. A few years ago the staff were asked if they wanted the décor updated and unanimously agreed not!

There were 19 on the 23rd April repeat visits, like the first members-only due to high demand, split into groups. Again, the sleeper was being shunted into the sheds and 08887 ran from there to WCSS to be sent back towards the marshalling sidings. WCSN was much quieter with no shunt moves. Both come to life on the night shift. Despite earlier problems at Harrow and Wealdstone on the DC lines, the service was back to normal for the run to Watford Junction where the route from Croxley Green was noted currently trackless with active plans afoot to divert the Metropolitan line along it to Watford Junction. Again, finish was around 4pm for most, but the signaller at Watford Jct. PSB was happy to chat to those remaining for a good 30 minutes longer (and probably even longer if he could). An enjoyable two visits to some very different signalling locations. Having spent a day alongside this end of the very busy WCML (the number of trains having doubled since 1999) participants were impressed by the continuous flow of the many and varied workings in both directions including Bakerloo and London Overground services. The party even saw the WO sand train in London Concrete’s private siding at Watford Yard on both days.

It is pleasing to report, with Network Rail matched funding, that nearly £1,500 was raised by our visits for the CLIC Sergeant Children’s Cancer charity. We are grateful to local member Ian Smith for the excellent arrangements.