Paighton South Level crossing

[scarpa]

Unless its been altered in the last 3 years the level crossing is a manned barrier, the road is one way. What is peculiar is there is only one barrier and one set of wigwag crossing lights positioned on the direction of road traffic. Was this the arrangement before the heritage railway took it over? If it is its a risky installation.

[John Webb]

The most recent Streetview - see https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.43215,-3.565506,3a,75y,90h,80.06t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGWwv9NlD1MlP_lXoB3lNYA!2e0 shows two barriers, one each side of the tracks, and two sets of 'wig-wags' facing the oncoming traffic.

[scarpa]

Apologies, it's the wigwags that are missing from the north side of the barriers. The road has not always been one way. Were wigwags provided before the heritage railway assumed control? I am surprised they are not installed if only as a warning to pedestrians or in case of a vehicle turning into the road by mistake.

[Stuart Johnson]

The level crossing is locally operated by traincrew or a shunter. Before resignalling, it was a conventional gated crossing operated from the adjacent box, Paignton South. The steam railway has running powers over that section of track.

Picture here

[davidwoodcock]

No visual warnings at all for pedestrians coming the "wrong" way along the road, no CCTV monitoring (so far as I could see), no safe "escape" area and not even an accessible phone for someone caught inside the barriers.

[Mike Stone]

It is TMO according to the appendix, but would appear to actually be done by a static operator when the steam railway is operating can verbally warn anyone caught.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4Hn3uYb2Bc
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[dvr engineer]

The crossing is owned and maintained by Network Rail, so lets not bash the Heritage Railway.
The crossing is operated by the Driver or a member of the train crew who has a clear view of the crossing - the crossing control units are within 25M of the crossing. The crossing is a push and hold operation, not one shot, so the risk of hitting a pedestrian is minimised. A motorised mobillity scooter was hit a few years ago who decided that they would approach from the eastern side............... The pedestrians at present are warned by an audible warning, supplemented by visual indiactors (AKA Wigwags) on the western side.
The crossing is (was) up for renewal in 2010 (mmm it is now 2015 but we are talking Network Rail and still no sign of renewal), where pedestrian signals are proposed to be provided on the eastern side of the crossing. We wait with eager anticipation

[Ashley Hill]

Just to add to the above,on the NR controls (don't know about steam side) there is also a crossing clear button. When the operator has successfully lowered the barriers the crossing is checked for obstructions. Until the crossing clear button is pressed Paignton box cannot clear its signals protecting the crossing.

[edwin_m]

The level crossing is locally operated by traincrew or a shunter. Before resignalling, it was a conventional gated crossing operated from the adjacent box, Paignton South. The steam railway has running powers over that section of track.

Picture here

I seem to recall that Paignton South was kept as a fringe box after the re-signalling, so if I'm right it must have been changed again since then. Also, at least in the 80s when I was a frequent visitor, it was parallel single tracks for Goodrington Sidings and Kingswear rather than running powers on the same track.

[Nicko]

Unusual but not unique. Crossing on esplanade in criccieth is also one way and only has wig wags on one side

[Stuart Johnson]

The level crossing is locally operated by traincrew or a shunter. Before resignalling, it was a conventional gated crossing operated from the adjacent box, Paignton South. The steam railway has running powers over that section of track.

Picture here

I seem to recall that Paignton South was kept as a fringe box after the re-signalling, so if I'm right it must have been changed again since then. Also, at least in the 80s when I was a frequent visitor, it was parallel single tracks for Goodrington Sidings and Kingswear rather than running powers on the same track.

Paignton South box is long gone. There are still two parallel tracks over the crossing, one of which is used only by trains on the steam railway. However, the crossing, its equipment and both the tracks over it belong to Network Rail and the steam railway exercises running powers over one track.

[Ashley Hill]

Paignton South fringed with Exeter panel for a while until it was wastefully replaced by a new panel behind the booking office. The only view from it is the bus station.

[Fast Line Floyd]

Paignton South fringed with Exeter panel for a while until it was wastefully replaced by a new panel behind the booking office. The only view from it is the bus station.

Surely you mean Paignton North fringed with Exeter.

[Peter Gibbons]

Paignton South fringed with Exeter panel for a while until it was wastefully replaced by a new panel behind the booking office. The only view from it is the bus station.

Surely you mean Paignton North fringed with Exeter.

According to the SRS Signal Box Register Volume 1: Great Western, both boxes fringed with Exeter Panel but at different periods:

It shows that Paignton North signal box closed on 26th March 1988
Paignton South signal box was fitted with an IFS panel on 26th March 1988, so presumably controlled the North crossing via CCTV
Paignton South signal box itself closed on August 1989, presumably on or about 5th August 1989 because that is the date when a new mini panel was opened in the station buildings.

[Ashley Hill]

Paignton South signal box was fitted with an IFS panel on 26th March 1988, so presumably controlled the North crossing via CCTV.

I worked on the platform at Paignton about this time. Regrettably I never visited North box before closure but made up for it before South's demise.