Signal box prefix codes

A (hopefully) comprehensive listing

'Boxes beginning E

Last update 12 March 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.

Please select a starting letter from the links below:

Code Signal Box Note ELR Mileage Opened Closed Control to
Eagle Crossing DPJ 2m 21ch 1970 1993?
EN Eaglescliffe North LEN3 3 June 1928 9 February 1969 Bowesfield (B)
D Down direction automatic signals
U Up direction automatic signals
also had signals lettered D and J, with no number
ES Eaglescliffe South LEN3 9 February 1969 Bowesfield (B) and Urlay Nook (UN)
D Down direction automatic signals
U Up direction automatic signals
ES Earles Sidings MAS 165m 20ch 1929
WFK Earley RDG2 66m 04ch ≈1876 4 February 1973 Wokingham (WM)
A Automatic signals
WG Earlsfield BML1 5m 45ch 1 April 1884 13 November 1966 Wimbledon (W)
CR Earlswood RED2 VTB2 23m 15ch 21m 36ch November 1905 2 July 1983 Three Bridges [new] (T)
E Earsdon Planned closure mid-1960s (cancelled): control would have been to Holywell BNE EJM 2m 53ch 7m 08ch 27 January 1985 Newsham South (N)
R Mechanical distant signals
E Easington Code used from late January 1977 LEN3 80m 35ch 1905 10 March 1996 Dawdon (DN)
Easington Colliery had draw-ahead signals in colliery sidings lettered A to D, with no number
EB East Boldon Code used by 1979 LEN3 93m 22ch ≈1870 11 January 2002 Tyneside (T)
E Eastbourne Original code KJE3 23m 59ch 1882 late on 13 February 2015✖delayed from 22 November 2013 Three Bridges [new] (EB)
EB Later code
CW East Croydon Code used by 1955 VTB2 10m 37ch 8 May 1955 7 April 1984 Three Bridges [new] (T)
CA Automatic signals
CW East Croydon North VTB2 10m 25ch 1896 8 May 1955 East Croydon (CW)
EF East Farleigh PWS1 42m 76ch 1892 (planned)✖delayed from 3 April 2015 East Kent Signalling Centre (EK) (planned)
E Eastfield [Peterborough] ECM1 77m 02ch 31 December 1893
QC Eastfields Road Crossing Gate box: line controlled by Streatham Junction (BC) BTH1 9m 19ch 30 September 1962 28 June 1981 Victoria Signalling Centre (VC)
EG East Gate Junction Later code replacing E COC 53m 14ch 1 December 1924 2 March 2009 Colchester [new] (CO)
E Code used by 1962
D Down line automatic signals
RD Down line automatic repeater signals
RU Up line automatic repeater signals
U Up line automatic signals
EH East Ham depot control room FSS1
H1 East Ham No 1 FSS1 6m 06ch May 1959 East Ham No 2 (H2)
H2 East Ham No 2 FSS1 6m 32ch 7 May 1960 in part; 1 May 1961 remainder Barking [LUL] (FF) in part; Barking (BK) remainder
EH East Holmes SPD3 82m 60ch May 1873 19 July 2008 Lincoln Control Centre (LG)
EK East Kent Signalling Centre VIR 36m 03ch 24 December 2011
EV Sittingbourne area signals. Code used from 29 March 2016
NK North Kent line signals. Code used from 7 April 2015
R Banner repeater signals
ZW Eastleigh BML1 73m 17ch 6 November 1966 14 September 1981 Eastleigh [new] (E)
E Eastleigh [new] Code used from 1981 BML1 73m 17ch 14 September 1981
EH Worting Junction to Southampton Parkway section (some signals may still carry code E). Wrong direction signals carry suffix X, and their repeaters XR (e.g. EH269XR)
GF Ground frame controlled signals in LHS/Back Road sidings
WA Automatic signals
Eastleigh C BML1 73m 07ch 1918
Eastleigh DEMU Depot ETF EYD 74m 25ch? 74m 32ch? 7 July 1968
E East Linton ECM8 23m 54ch 21 November 1977 Edinburgh (EF)
ELJ East London Junction LTN1 0m 48ch April 1875 11 September 1949 Liverpool Street (L)
EL East London Line SCC [New Cross Gate] ELL1 5m 33ch 18 January 2010
BS Silwood depot berthing sidings stop boards
BK East Midlands Control Centre Bedford to Kettering section. Code used from 2 January 2020 DBP1 0m 15ch 6 August 2007✖temporarily in Trent PSB, moved to own building 29 August 2008
CB Chesterfield to Barrow Hill section. Code used from 1 September 2008
CS Chesterfield to Sheffield section. Code used from 1 September 2008
CT Former Croft signals. Code used from 2 January 2012
DC Derby to Chesterfield section. Code used from 1 September 2008
DW Derby to Wichnor section. Code used from 3 September 2018
DY Former Derby PSB West Panel area signals. Code used from 11 May 2015
EC Etches Park carriage sidings to Chaddesden sidings. Code used from 3 September 2018
GN Grantham to Nottingham section. Code used from 10 August 2013
KM Kettering to Manton Junction section
LR Former Leicester signals. Code used from 2 January 2012
MS Mansfield Junction to Kirkby Summit section. Code used from 12 September 2011
NN Nottingham to Newark section. Code used from 10 August 2013
PK Pye Bridge to Kirkby Lane End Junction section
R One former Leicester area banner repeater (LR54BR carried R54BR)
RT Radford to Trowell section
SS Sheet Stores Junction to Stenson Junction section. Code used from 27 December 2009
SS Sinfin sidings points (code not carried on signals)
ST Syston to Trent section. Code used from 27 December 2009
TC Trent to Chesterfield section. Code used from 1 September 2008
TD Trent to Derby section. Code used from 27 December 2009
TN Trent to Nottingham section. Code used from 27 December 2009
TT Trent to Trowell section
WH Former West Hampstead signals. Code used from 2 January 2020
X Creep signals at Kettering
WBE East Putney PPW 5m 64ch 8 March 1889 11 February 1991✖delayed from 24 September 1990 Wimbledon (W)
Eastrington HUL1 19m 25ch 17 September 1989 Gilberdyke Junction (G)
EK East Suffolk Junction LTN1 69m 47ch 1912 5 April 1984 Colchester [new] (CO)
MU East Usk Mechanical signals. Originally opened as temporary panel (unclear whether in separate building; downgraded to ground frame; converted from ground frame February 2000 SWM2 157m 02ch 16 April 1961 19 April 2009✖burnt down; official closure 4 January 2010 South Wales Control Centre (NT)
EU At least one signal
M At least one signal
U Panel signals
Eastville Downgraded to gate box 18 April 1973 GRS3 116m 78ch April 1889✖inspected 22 November 1890 5 March 1989 Bellwater Junction (BJ)
B Ebbw Junction SWM2 160m 11ch 1898 19 May 1963 Newport (N)
ES Eccles DSE 27m 59ch 1933
EC Eccles Crossing HXS3 10m 78ch 1912 11 March 1994 Merseyrail (ML)
EW Ecclesfield West SHB 164m 24ch 1896 10 April 1998 Barnsley (BY)
ER Eccles Road ETN 104m 44ch 1883 2 December 2012 Cambridge (EN)
EE Edale MAS 169m 23ch 1893
E Code given on 2006 signalling plan
EV Eden Valley CGJ7 ≈47m 78ch 17 March 1973 Carlisle (CE)
EH Edge Hill Code used to ≈1985 DSE WJL3 1m 57ch 191m 75ch 28 August 1961 3 November 2019 Manchester Rail Operating Centre (LE)
LE Code used from ≈1985
Edge Hill No 13 See Exhibition Junction
EL Edge Lane Burnt down ≈28 February 1987 SCT1 ≈0m 51ch Edge Hill (EH)
EY1 Edgeley Junction No 1 Code used for some signals by October 1978. Code used for all signals from 3 September 2004 CMP1 182m 36ch 1884
EJ Earlier code
EJ1 Code mentioned in 1989: unclear if carried
EY Code mentioned in 1986: unclear if carried
EY2 Edgeley Junction No 2 Code used from 3 September 2004 CMP2 182m 54ch 1884
E2 Unclear whether code used
E Edinburgh Edinburgh interlocking. Code used from 1976 ECM9 0m 07ch 3 October 1976
CC Former Cowlairs signals (Cowlairs interlocking). Code used from 6 October 2013
CE Former Cowlairs signals (Eastfield interlocking). Code used from 6 October 2013
CG Former Cowlairs signals (Gartshore interlocking). Code used from 6 October 2013
CN Former Cowlairs signals (Garnqueen interlocking). Code used from 6 October 2013
CQ Former Cowlairs signals (Queen Street interlocking). Code used from 6 October 2013
CS Springburn interlocking. Code used from 6 October 2013
EA Prestonpans interlocking. Code used from 1977
EAL Almond interlocking. Code used from 18 May 2015
EB Ladybank interlocking. Code used from 1980
EC Cowdenbeath interlocking. Code used from 1981
ECL Larbert interlocking. Code used from 27 December 2017
ED Dunbar and Oxwellmains interlockings. Code used from 1976
EF Drem interlocking. Code used from 1977
EG Grantshouse interlocking. Code used from 1977
EH Haymarket interlocking. Code used from 1975
EJ Midcalder Junction interlocking. Code used from 1981
EJW West Calder interlocking. Code used from 30 August 2018
EK Kirkcaldy interlocking. Code used from 1980
EL Linlithgow interlocking. Code used from 1979
EM Monktonhall interlocking. Code used from 1977
EM Millerhill interlocking. Code used from 25 November 2012
EMB Borders Rail Link interlocking. Code used from 8 June 2015
EN Newbridge interlocking. Code used from 1978
EO Townhill and Charlestown interlockings. Code used from 1980
EP Portobello interlocking. Code used from 1976
EPB Bo'ness interlocking signals. Code used from 25 November 2012
EPJ Polmont interlocking signals. Code used from 25 November 2012
EPR Portobello interlocking banner repeater signals
ER Markinch interlocking. Code used from 1980
ES Slateford interlocking. Code used from 1977
ET Thornton and Redford interlockings. Code used from 1980
EU Burntisland interlocking. Code used from 1979
EV Inverkeithing interlocking. Code used from 1979
EVR Inverkeithing interlocking banner repeater signals
EW Winchburgh interlocking. Code used from 1979
EY Dalmeny and North Queensferry interlockings. Code used from 1979
GJ Former Greenhill Junction signals. Code used from 27 December 2017
RE Repeater signals (now superseded by suffix BR)
RU Repeaters to up line automatic signals. Code use by 1977
U Up line automatic signals. Code used by 1977
WW Effingham Junction NGL 21m 20ch 12 July 1925 20 April 1969 Guildford [panel] (WX)
P Eggborough Power Station EGG2 18 July 1966?
A Draw ahead signals
B Draw ahead signals
EN Egginton Junction NSS 26m 69ch January 1877
WFG Egham Downgraded to gate box 8 September 1974 RDG1 21m 07ch ≈1880 3 February 1975 Feltham (F)
E Eglinton Street [Glasgow] Believed code not carried 15 November 1908 2 January 1961 High Street Junction (HS)
D Egmanton Down direction automatic signals ECM1 130m 29ch 1899 24 October 1976 Carlton (CA)
E Elderslie No 1 AYR3 8m 74ch 20 December 1908 6 October 1985 Paisley [new] (PE)
E Elgin Named Elgin West to 11 November 1973. Code used 2002 to 2003 ANI2 11m 74ch 4 April 1951 7 October 2017 Inverness (HE)
EL Code used from 11 January 2003
E Elland MVN2 31m 61ch 21 May 1958 26 July 2009 Greetland Emergency Operating Panel (HM)
R Distant signals
U Up line automatic signals believed that down line indicates to Brighouse
Ellesmere Port No 1 HHJ 2m 71ch 4 October 1971
Ellesmere Port No 2 HHJ 3m 26ch 6 November 1983 Ellesmere Port (EP)
Ellesmere Port No 3 HHJ 3m 34ch June 1967 Ellesmere Port No 2
EP Ellesmere Port No 4 Named Ellesmere Port to 6 November 1983. Built on base of original (burnt down) Ellesmere Port No 4 HHJ 3m 70ch 1972
Ellesmere Port No 5 HHJ 4m 43ch 6 November 1983 Ellesmere Port (EP)
Ellesmere Port No 6 See Ellesmere Port No 4
EBP Elmers End LCH 27 May 1882 27 September 1975 London Bridge (L)
EC Elmhurst Crossing LEC2 ≈118m 22ch Lichfield Trent Valley Low Level (LD)
EL Elmswell Demolished 1986 CCH 37m 14ch 1887 11 August 1985 Colchester [new] (CO)
E Elmton & Creswell Junction Probably switched out at 2012, though switched in again about once a month PSE 149m 37ch 1946
EC
E Elsecar Junction Named Broomhill to 17 November 1985. Downgraded to gate box from renaming PED3 12m 10ch August 1891 19 June 1982 Line closed
U Elsenham Downgraded to gate box 11 December 1983. Up direction automatic signals BGK 35m 40ch 20 June 1932 Cambridge (CA)
RU Repeaters to up direction automatic signals
E Elsham DOW 31m 34ch 1885 3 March 2003 Elsham [temporary panel] (EM)
EM Elsham [temporary panel] DOW 31m 34ch 3 March 2003 1 November 2004 Elsham [reopened] (EM)
EM Elsham [reopened] DOW 31m 34ch 1 November 2004 30 December 2015 York Rail Operating Centre (BD)
Eltham See Mottingham
E Elvanfoot Code used from 1972 WCM1 52m 35ch 14 November 1916 20 July 1972 Abington (A)
ED Ely Dock Junction BGK SOB2 69m 73ch 12m 27ch 1928 10 April 1992 Cambridge (CA)
ENJ Ely North Junction BGK 71m 63ch 1926 27 April 1992 Cambridge (CA)
EJ Code reported in 1980: unclear if carried
ESN Ely Station North BGK 70m 38ch 1880 10 April 1992 Cambridge (CA)
EN
ET Enfield Town ENT 10m 40ch 1905 26 November 2001 Liverpool Street [new] (L)
D Down line automatic signals
RU Repeaters to up line automatic signals
U Up line automatic signals
ES Engine Shed [Old Oak Common] OOC1 2m 79ch 2 May 1937 15 December 1977 to hand levers
ES Engine Shed Junction WCR ≈25 June 1983 Edge Hill (EH)
EJ Engine Shed Junction SPC1 ≈1m 66ch 5 December 1981 West Hampstead (WH)
E Engine Shed Junction TJC3 195m 25ch Leeds (L)
EJ
ES1 Engine Sidings No 1 SPC8 127m 75ch 18 December 1892 12 July 1969 Derby (DY)
ES2 Engine Sidings No 2 SPC7 ≈127m 57ch 23 March 1890 8 February 1987 Derby (DY)
CBF Epsom BTH2 14m 18ch 24 February 1929 29 July 1990 Wimbledon (W)
CA Automatic signals
DCA Distant to automatic signals
EN Erdington ALC1 2m 16ch 1 December 1985 Erdington [new] (EN)
REN Distant signals
EN Erdington [new] ALC1 2m 16ch 1 December 1985 12 October 1992 Aston (AN)
REN Distant signals
- Eridge SCU1 35m 51ch 6 January 1879 7 January 1990 Oxted [new] (OD)
ER Errol Code used from 2002 SCM5 10m 44ch 1877
D Eryholme Down line automatic signals ECM5 11 June 1939 Eryholme [new] (E)
U Up line automatic signals
E Eryholme [new] Codes used from opening ECM5 38m 74ch 11 June 1939 29 January 1977 Darlington (D)
D Down line automatic signals
U Up line automatic signals
U Essendine Up direction automatic signals. Named Essendine North to 21 December 1964 ECM1 88m 62ch 2 December 1912 13 April 1975 Little Bytham (LB) and Tallington (T)
Essendine North See Essendine
EW Essington Wood Near Springhill disposal point, Bloxwich WCC? 1982 Line closed?
EO Esso Sidings DBP3 ≈38m 20ch ≈28 April 1984 Saltley (SY)?
EN Euston LEC1 0m 14ch 27 September 1965 August 2000 Wembley Mainline (WM)
ENX Set back signals
REN Repeater signals
EV Everton Downgraded to gate box 25 July 1976: line controlled by St Neots (SN) ECM1 46m 31ch 27 June 1894 17 May 1998 Peterborough (P)
E Evesham OWW 106m 76ch 15 March 1957
ES Exchange Sidings Shunter's Cabin [Dagenham] - 316.73km 26 November 2006 Upminster IECC (UR)
ES Exchange Sidings [West Midlands] Downgraded to shunt frame 23 August 1969 RBS1 ≈111m 46ch 17 September 1989 Saltley (SY)
ESR Repeater signals
E Exeter MLN1 194m 00ch 1 April 1985
CL Cornwall area signals (proposed)
DM Down main line automatic signals
DT Down Torbay line automatic signals
PH Plymouth to Hemerdon section (proposed)
UA Up Athelney line automatic signals
UM Up main line automatic signals
UT Up Torbay line automatic signals
EC Exeter Central A Code from 29 October 1984 BAE2 171m 33ch 15 June 1927 6 May 1985 Exeter (E)
WDJ Code used from 1963 to 28 October 1984
CB Exeter City Basin MLN1 195m 19ch 9 December 1962 14 November 1986 Exeter (E)
EW Exeter West MLN1 194m 04ch 1913 3 May 1985 Exeter (E)
EJ Exhibition Junction Formerly named Edge Hill No 13 WCR 1929 Edge Hill (EH)
Exminster MLN1 198m 59ch 9 June 1924 14 November 1986 Exeter (E)
WDH Exmouth Junction Code used from 1963 BAE2 170m 21ch 1875 15 November 1959 Exmouth Junction [new] (EJ)
EJ Exmouth Junction [new] BAE2 170m 21ch 17 November 1959
Eynsford SBJ 20m 32ch 9 November 1932 21 February 1971 Victoria Signalling Centre (VS)
Eyton Crossing Gate box WSJ2 ≈178m 63ch Crewe Junction [Shrewsbury] (CJ)