Signal box prefix codes

A (hopefully) comprehensive listing

'Boxes beginning R

Last update 13 January 2025

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 ELRMileage Opened Closed Control to
RJ Radford Junction MJT1125m 55ch MJT2125m 55ch RAC125m 55ch 19 December 1969 Trent (TT)
RD Radlett strategic freight interchange Code shown on development plan
RA Radley Code used by 18 October 1953 DCL58m 35ch December 1895 23 May 1965 Reading (R)
RY
R Code used by 1953
VR Radyr Code from 'Valleys - Radyr' CAM5m 28ch 27 January 1997 2 May 2023 Core Valley Lines Integrated Control Centre (VR)
DT Down Treforest line automatic signals
YR Ystrad Rhondda area signals
RJ Radyr Junction CAM5m 28ch 4 June 1961 12 May 1998 Radyr (VR)
RQ Radyr Quarry Junction Code used by 28 November 1965 RAD4m 02ch July 1899 12 May 1998 Radyr (VR)
DT Down Treforest line automatic signals
UT Up Treforest line automatic signals
RJ Rainford Junction WKL224m 35ch 1933
EU Rainham VIR39m 00ch 26 April 1959✖believed delayed from 12 April 1959 29 March 2016✖delayed from 3 April 2015 East Kent Signalling Centre (EK)
A Automatic signals
R Rainham (Essex) TLL12m 60ch 1924 27 May 1996 Upminster IECC (UR)
U Up line automatic signals
RL Rainhill DSE9m 04ch 26 March 2007 Huyton (HN)
RF Raiths Farm [Dyce] freight terminal ANI16m 63ch 26 November 2007 17 August 2019 Inverness (HD)
HE Ramsgate ACR85m 66ch 2 July 1926 24 December 2011 East Kent Signalling Centre (EK)
A Automatic signals
Ranelagh Road Gate box: line controlled by Colchester [new] (CO) (?). Out of use for many years before closure IPD0m 56ch 1927 7 February 2009 Line closed
Rangeworthy BGL2117m 08ch 25 January 1942 19 October 1969 Bristol (B)
RL Ranskill Downgraded to gate box 13 January 1980: line controlled by Doncaster (D) ECM1143m 79ch 20 December 1875✖inspected on 24 August 1878
R Unclear if code used
RA Code shown on signalling plan
RK Code shown in weekly notices
U Raskelf Up direction signals ECM5≈13m 28ch York [PSB] (Y)
A Ratcliffe Power Station control room Coal line A
B Coal line B
C Departure line
D Dust line D
E Dust line E
F Dust circle line F and Flyash arrival line
G Line G arrival line
H Line H arrival line
J Line J
S Shunt signals
RY Rauceby GRS2118m 34ch 29 July 1880
R Code used by 4 May 1975
R Rawcliffe Gate box WAG170m 75ch 14 June 1986 Goole (G)
Rawmarsh South See Rawmarsh Station
RM Rawmarsh Station Named Rawmarsh South to 1935 TJC3163m 72ch 1902? 1973? Sheffield (S)
WL Raynes Park BML18m 47ch 1884 6 May 1990 Wimbledon (W)
R Reading MLN136m 01ch 24 April 1965 (unknown date) in part; 30 December 2010 remainder Oxford (OX) in part; Thames Valley Signalling Centre (TR) remainder
DM Down Main line automatic signals
DR Down Relief line automatic signals
DW Down Westbury line automatic signals
DX Down Oxford line automatic signals
DS Down southern line automatic signals
FY Creep signals at Theale Foster Yeoman sidings
UG Up Goods line automatic signals
UM Up Main line automatic signals
UR Up Relief line automatic signals
UW Up Westbury line automatic signals
UX Up Oxford line automatic signals
RD Reading Depot Control Centre MLN1 2 April 2013
D Depot building protection signals
RE Reading Main Line East MLN135m 63ch 1896 24 April 1965 Reading (R)
RJ Rectory Junction NOG1123m 76ch 26 November 1888 ≈17 February 1996 Rectory Junction [reopened] (RJ)
RJ Rectory Junction [reopened] NOG1123m 76ch 13 April 1996 29 July 2013 East Midlands Control Centre (GN)
WBX Redbridge BML281m 79ch by 1884 28 February 1982 Eastleigh [new] (E)
R Redcar Code used from 19 July 1970 DSN322m 71ch 14 March 1937
BSC Redcar British Steel DSN2≈21m 06ch 9 August 1976 Closed
CA Coal arrival line signals
L Limestone line signals
Redcar Corus Believed same as Redcar British Steel DSN2
CA Redcar Mineral Terminal DSN2
L
RH Redditch BEA56m 21ch? 10 August 1986 Saltley (SY)
A Redfearn National Glass Sidings Unloading signals controlled from Hopper House
B Unloading signals controlled from Hopper House
C Unloading signals controlled from Hopper House
R Redford Junction CWH333m 28ch 29 January 1956 11 May 1981 Edinburgh (ET)
RH Redhill A RED222m 30ch 10 May 1985 Three Bridges [new] (T)
XC Redhill B RED222m 53ch 10 May 1985 Three Bridges [new] (T)
RJ Reedham Junction Control originally intended to pass to Colchester [new] (YL) but altered owing to installation problems NOL12m 29ch 1904 1 April 2019 Reedham Swing Bridge (RB)
Reedham Swing Bridge See Reedham Swing Bridge Operations Cabin
RB Reedham Swing Bridge Operations Cabin Named Reedham Swing Bridge Operations Cabin to 23 February 2020 Downgraded to bridge box on renaming: line controlled by Colchester [new] (YL) NOL13m 07ch 1904
R Reepham NOB336m 61ch 7 July 1890 20 May 1990 Reepham [temporary] (R)
R Reepham [temporary] NOB336m 61ch 20 May 1990 9 June 1990 Langworth (L)
RG Reigate RSJ24m 30ch 10 March 1929
RM Relly Mill ECM5≈63m 61ch 9 January 1971 Tyne Yard (TY)
RW Repton & Willington DBP16m 00ch 12 June 1892 28 June 1969 Derby (DY)
RD Retford ECM1≈138m 60ch 26 April 1976 13 January 1980 Doncaster (D)
RN Retford North ECM1138m 59ch 6 March 1892 24 April 1976 Retford (RD)
T Retford Thrumpton See Thrumpton
RL Rhyl Formerly named Rhyl No 1 Code used by March 1990 CNH3208m 74ch 27 May 1900 early on 24 March 2018✖last train; official closure 26 March 2018 Wales Rail Operating Centre (FH)
Rhyl No 1 See Rhyl
Rhyl No 2 CNH3209m 18ch 27(?) May 1900 25 March 1990✖delayed from 18 March 1990 Rhyl No 1 (RL)
RY Ribble Yard CGJ5≈21m 13ch Preston (PN)
EBQ Richborough Sidings Out of use before burnt out 17 August 1988, not officially abolished at 2009 BME282m 70ch 7 February 1962 17 August 1988 Sandwich (SW)
GB Richmond Code used from 24 February 1980 when new panel installed (code possibly derived from 'Gunnersbury' branch) SAR212m 22ch 28 January 1940
WBG Code used to 24 February 1980 when new panel installed
WA Automatic signals
F At least one signal (removed in 1985), further details not known
RT Ridgmont Believed code not carried BBM6m 60ch 1934 23 July 2004✖last train; official closure 6 September 2004 Marston Vale (MV)
RN Rigton Demolished November 2012 LEH112m 14ch ≈1873 29 October 2012 Harrogate (LH)
R Unclear if code carried
R Rillington YMS25m 42ch 31 October 1993 Malton (M)
RL Ripple Lane RLY9m 07ch 27 May 1996 Upminster IECC (UR)
DG Down goods line automatic signals
DM Down main line automatic signals
RLP Position light shunt signals
UG Up goods line automatic signals
UM Up main line automatic signals
HC Ripple Lane Hump Cabin RLY Upminster IECC (UR)
RY Ripple Lane Yard RLY 1957? 24 October 1971 Ripple Lane (RL)
RS Rippleside Level Crossing TLL≈8m 40ch Barking (BK)
RB Robertsbridge TTH49m 54ch 1894
RE Rochdale Possibly previously named Rochdale Goods Yard to 15 May 1977 Code used from 2008 MVN210m 53ch 1889 30 August 2011 Rochdale West (TH)
MET Stop boards on former Oldham line (from Metrolink)
TH Rochdale West Thorpes Bridge to Hall Royd section MVN28m 57ch 30 August 2011
MET Stop boards on former Oldham line (from Metrolink)
ER Rochester VIR33m 42ch 10 May 1959 29 March 2016✖delayed from 3 April 2015 East Kent Signalling Centre (EK)
A Automatic signals
RH Rockcliffe Hall CNH3188m 74ch 26 February 1995 early on 24 March 2018✖last train; official closure 26 March 2018 Wales Rail Operating Centre (FH)
G Rock Ferry Code shown on 1934 plan MIR2 1902 1957 Rock Ferry [new] (RF)
RF Rock Ferry [new] MIR23m 35ch 12 May 1957 18 September 1994 Merseyrail (ML)
DM Rogerstone Middle Down main line automatic signals WVL3m 19ch 30 September 1900 28 October 1978 Park Junction (PJ)
UM Up main line automatic signals
DM Rogerstone North Down main line automatic signals WVL3m 66ch 1 February 1931 15 November 1970 Rogerstone Middle (DM, UM)
UM Up main line automatic signals
R Romford LTN112m 11ch (November?) 1931 29 March 1997 Liverpool Street [new] (L)
DE Down electric line automatic signals
DM Down main line automatic signals
RUM Repeater to up main line automatic signals
UE Up electric line automatic signals
UM Up main line automatic signals
XR Romford Crossrail Control Centre Cab signalling marker boards. In same building as Romford Rail Operating Centre LTN112m 06ch 15 December 2020✖delayed from 2018
UR Romford Rail Operating Centre Former Upminster signals LTN112m 06ch (planned)✖delayed from 6 December 2019
EMP Ely-March-Peterborough section shunt signals and ERTMS boards (planned)
RJ Romiley Junction TTA1178m 31ch 1899 25 July 2015✖last train; official closure 2 August 2015 Manchester East Signalling Control Centre (RJ)
RY Unclear whether code carried
WBW Romsey RTJ118m 16ch RTJ280m 35ch ≈1871 17 October 1982 Eastleigh [new] (E)
R Roskear Junction MLN4313m 19ch 1 April 1895
RS Rossett South WSJ2 28 February 1960 Chester PSB (CR)
RSR Distant signals
R Rossington Downgraded to gate box 2 May 1977: line controlled by Decoy No 1 (DY) ECM1151m 29ch 28 March 1876✖inspected 24 August 1878 9 September 1979 Doncaster (D)
D Down direction automatic signals
RO Code shown in weekly notices
RU Up line automatic signals
R Ross Junction HMN11m 44ch 26 August 1973 Motherwell (M)
Rosyth Dockyard Closed 1 February 1923, reopened 15 June 1941 RHD21m 21ch 11 February 1917 6 July 2008 Line closed
RR Rotherham Road Demolished 30 January 1988 WME5m 40ch 1909 10 May 1987✖delayed from 12 April 1987 Sheffield (S)
RC Rothersthorpe Crossing BPH 1969?
R Rotherwood MAC345m 70ch 26 April 1942 17 October 1982 Sheffield (S)
RW
R Roundwood TJC3≈164m 60ch 7 March 1965 Aldwarke Junction (A)
RG Rounton Gate LEN3≈50m 12ch 6 August 1967 Low Gates (LG)
D Down line automatic signals
U Up line automatic signals
RS Roxton Siding MAC3102m 54ch 1883 30 December 2015 York Rail Operating Centre (CB)
R Code reported but unclear if used
HC Royal Oak MLN1 Old Oak Common [new panel] (OO)?
D Royal Oak South Down direction automatic signals HBS42m 40ch 9 May 1947 ≈26 November 1977 Filey (FE)
RN Roydon BGK20m 10ch 1876 24 May 2003 Liverpool Street [new] (L)
D Down line automatic signals
R Repeater signals (unspecified)
RRN Repeater to controlled signals
U Up line automatic signals
R Royston SBR44m 64ch April 1878 5 February 1977 Kings Cross (K)
RJ Royston Junction TJC3178m 28ch 1901 Oakenshaw (O)
RD Rufford FCO17m 53ch 27 November 1988
RY Rugby Code used from opening LEC182m 26ch 14 September 1964 3 June 2012✖closure took place in stages starting 5 September 2004 Rugby Signalling Control Centre (KR, HN, NR, RY)
RYR Distant signals
CM Rugby Rail Operating Centre Colwich workstation. Code used from 23 January 2024 LEC182m 63ch 1 September 2015
LS Lichfield to Stafford section. Code used from 1 September 2015
OB Oxford to Bletchley section
RR Rugeley to Rycroft section. Code used from 23 January 2024
SC Stafford to Crewe section. Code used from 1 September 2015
Stafford LS Lichfield to Stafford section. Code used from 1 September 2015. Special plates for two signals to avoid confusion with Rugby Signalling Control Centre
WS Wolverhampton to Stafford section. Code used from 1 September 2015
CN Rugby Signalling Control Centre Coventry to Nuneaton section. Code used from 8 September 2008 LEC182m 60ch 7 June 2004
KR Milton Keynes to Rugby section. Code used from 5 September 2004
HN Hanslope to Northampton section. Code used from 5 September 2004
LS Lichfield to Stafford section. Code used from 29 May 2008
NL Nuneaton to Lichfield section. Code used from 29 May 2008
NR Northampton to Rugby section. Code used from 24 November 2008
NW Nuneaton to Whitacre section. Code used from 25 March 2008
RC Rugby to Coventry section. Code used from 27 May 2008
RN Rugby to Nuneaton section. Code used from 27 May 2008
RY Rugby Northampton workstation. Code used from 5 June 2012
TK Tring to Milton Keynes section
Trent Valley LS Lichfield to Stafford section. Code used from 1 September 2015. Special plates for two signals to avoid confusion with Rugby Rail Operating Centre
WN Wigston to Nuneaton section. Code used from 25 March 2008
WT Watford to Tring section
RY1 Rugeley No 1 LEC2124m 00ch ≈17 November 1974 Colwich (CH)
RY2 Rugeley No 2 LEC2124m 23ch 12 June 2005? Colwich (CH)
S Rugeley Power Station
X Set back signals
RN Runcorn WJL1180m 33ch 1944 early on 5 May 2018✖last train; official closure 9 May 2018 Manchester Rail Operating Centre (WE)
FD Folly Lane branch fixed distant signals
SB Folly Lane branch stop boards
RS Ruscombe MLN129m 38ch 1893 23 October 1961 Reading (R)
RL Rushall BJW38m 08ch 19 March 1984 Walsall (WL)
RJ Rutherglen Junction Code in use by October 1971 WCM298m 67ch 19 August 1906 8 April 1973 Glasgow Central (G)
WFP Ryde St Johns Road 'Box reused from Waterloo East IOW1m 22ch 9 December 1928
WA Automatic signals
RY Rye ATH71m 34ch 1893
RJ Ryecroft Junction BJW2? 4 June 1967 Walsall (WL)
RG Ryhope Grange LEN387m 63ch 1905 6 February 2021✖last train; official closure 10 February 2021 York Rail Operating Centre (NS)
NS Northallerton to Sunderland section. Code used from 15 November 2010
R Code not confirmed
U Up main line automatic signals