London and Croydon Railway - Operation

Operation

The line into London Bridge became increasingly congested so at Corbetts Lane a white disc was installed, to be operated by the pointsman. It, or at night a red light, showed that the route was set for Croydon. If the disc was edge on, or a white light showed, the junction was set for Greenwich. It is believed that this was first fixed signal used to control a junction. Greenwich trains ran every 15 minutes, Croydon trains were hourly. The first railway semaphore signal was erected by Charles Hutton Gregory on the railway at New Cross, about 1842.

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