Overview

Over the course of several volumes, Allen Jackson uses an array of photographs to lavishly illustrate the story of signalling in the principal constituents of the LNER – continuing here with the second volume, which tells the story of the North Eastern Railway in Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria.

Comparison with Midland Railway

Although the NER could be likened to the Midland Railway, it was unlike the MR in one respect – that of keeping to a fairly tight geographic area. This was Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, and in those areas it had a virtual monopoly. The almost only intruder into its territory was the Hull & Barnsley Railway, which the NER absorbed before the grouping.

Technological Progress

At the frontline of progress technologically, and despite massive reliance on and access to coal, the NER pioneered electrified means of traction, particularly on Tyneside and south Durham.

Signal Box Preservation

This volume provides a comprehensive cross-section of the remaining signal boxes on the NER, although inevitably some have closed and been demolished, whilst others have been preserved and moved away since the start of the survey.