Signal box prefix codes

A (hopefully) comprehensive listing

Last update 13 May 2022

Additional information is always gratefully received, whether entirely new records (particularly historical records) or information to fill in gaps or correct errors, via the contact link under the Miscellaneous entry in the navigation bar above. Thank you.

The codes can be found on these pages:

Introduction

This listing has all known signal boxes on Network Rail (and its predecessors) that had signal prefix codes. Signal boxes without codes are in the main excluded; only those of interest to the editor are included.

The photograph below shows a prefix code 'in action' at Minster. The initial letters define the signal box controlling the area, then the next digits are the individual signal number. In this example the final four digits denote the 'alias plate' used to set up the cab secure radio so a driver could contact the signaller.

signal numberplate
Signal numberplate at Minster (2004)
signal numberplate
Signal numberplate at Minster (2022)

As technology changes or lines are opened, closed or rationalised, so signal boxes open and close. This listing attempts to show these changes in line control. The phrase "control passed to…" refers either to a modern signalling installation, or to just one traditional absolute block signal box. Thus, where signal boxes A, B and C once existed and B has closed, this page does not refer to both A and C, but just one. Where a box closes and leaves very long block sections between remaining adjacent boxes, a subjective assessment has been made of the closest box as 'controlling' the line. This is not a perfect system by any means, but it helps to keep the tables small. In cases where the direct 'descendant' is not known, a later 'descendant' is substituted.

Only the first change of control is shown. For example, Stone Crossing is shown as controlled by Dartford (D). Reference to Dartford shows that this has passed control to Ashford North Kent Signalling Centre (NK). Only the first link is shown under Stone Crossing.

The symbol - (hyphen) in the code column indicates that it is known that no code was ever carried. A blank means that no code is known: there may or may not have been one allocated.

Please remember that these pages concentrate on signal box prefix codes; therefore data presented primarily concerns these signal boxes only. Please also note that mileages quoted are for the signal boxes themselves, not necessarily for any nearby junction.

Further information about signalling may be found at the Signal Box web site, and Andrew Overton's British Power Signalling Register gives a huge amount of information about the different power signalling equipment used. The Signalling Record Society may also be of interest. In addition, the definition of various signalling-related signs can be found on the Railway Signs pages. To see how all this fits into one comprehensive network, the Sectional Appendix will be of interest (buy from Willsons or view historical scans at Limit of Shunt).

This document dated 1979 is a British Rail catalogue of its listed buildings 7.2Mb file. It is not limited to signalling; there are undoubtedly other designations since then.

Calling S&T engineers

If you have a railway telecommunications background, the Communications Museum Trust would like to hear from you. This fascinating museum aims to fill a gap in railway technology history.