Teignmouth & Old Quay
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By Peter Chatfield
[For the purpose of identifying signal numbers in the text, Teignmouth signals are prefixed 'T' and Teignmouth Old Quay 'Q'. - Ed.]
The chairman suggested a diagram in the vicinity of Exminster, or thereabouts, so my first thought was 'How about Newton Abbot?' However, with a combined total of 359 levers, one could write a book on the fabulous operational possibilities of Newton Abbot East and West Boxes and the wonderful wooden gantries which survived to the end…
On a much smaller scale, Teignmouth and Teignmouth Old Quay are, nevertheless, well worth a closer look. Taking Teignmouth first, the provision of a Down Outer Home (T30) and an Up Advanced Starting signal (T5) at the Dawlish end enabled shunting moves at points T21 and T24 to occur "within station limits". Matters were more complicated at the Old Quay end. Moves at points T8, T11 and T13 required block communication with Old Quay as Teignmouth's Up Outer Home (T2) was also Old Quay's Up Starting (Q18).
Teignmouth's Down Advanced Starting (No T27) was not far in advance of points T11, so a train of any length shunting here would require the shunt ahead (No T26) to draw forward (Depending on the manoeuvre, of course, setting back over T24 was an alternative). Also, the Up Siding was continuous between the two boxes.
Teignmouth Old Quay had a nice trailing ladder crossing (Q10) with single slips (Q8 and Q12), and a Gas Works Siding with its own ground frame.
Despite no junction signals, the variety of signal types is a joy. We have mechanical and motor worked, slotted, shunt-ahead and centre-pivot arms at both locations. Teignmouth also boasted a bracket Down Starting (T28) which previously had centre-pivot arms and a sighting shield. Old Quay's Down Distants were under Teignmouth's Down Inner Home (T29), Down Starting (T28) and Down Advanced Starting (T27) signals (I'm unsure if the home also had a shield).
The diagram gives no clue to the reality of the "closed-in" setting of Teignmouth Station. Its many bridges, canopies and deep retaining walls were in complete contrast to the open feel of Exminster…
Possibly due to the loss of a million or so brain cells since writing the last article, I have no question to pose today! Thanks to all who gave answers to previous queries. All comments welcomed.