This photograph shows a mixed freight nearing the summit of Stockton Bank passing Norton South Junction Signal Box in February 1962. Courtesy of David P Williams. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photograph shows a mixed freight nearing the summit of Stockton Bank passing Norton South Junction Signal Box in February 1962. Courtesy of David P Williams.
The oldest working signal box still in use on Network Rail, built 1870, sadly to be demolished in October 2020, 150 years old….
Well, this old box is coming to it’s end as the resignalling of the coast line has been brought forward to 2015 when the ROC york will be taking over and we will be losing some of the oldest working in Britain signal boxes Norton South, Norton West, Norton East, Norton Station, Billingham , Belasis Lane, Gretham, with a lot of signallers being made redundant. I have worked these boxes since 1990 and it will be a sad sight to see Network Rail knock them down, but it wont be a sad day to leave the employment of Network Rail
Hi Brian
I have just read your comments regarding signalboxes in the Stockton area and I am wondering if there are any photos available, particularly of Stockton Bank box as Stockton happens to be my surname and also that I acquired the signal box board Stockton Bank at a recent auction.
I would think that that working the boxes in the Norton area was quite a lifelong memorable experience and if you see this note any photos of Stockton Bank box or any likely whereabouts would be appreciated.
I worked in Stockton bank in 1965 to 1966 with a signalman called Mick Cook, in those days it was quite busy as it had the up and down mains plus entrance and exit roads to Stockton north yard and the back road from Bishopton Lane I do have a photo of the interior of the box which I will post. I believe that photos of the exterior are quite rare, I do have one showing the outside, but that was given to me so I cannot post it. I remember it as a thirty lever frame and the box worked to north shore on one side and norton south on the other, I seem to remember it closed down in the early seventies along with primrose hill but not too sure. anon will know I am certain.
I WAS A SIGNALMAN IN NORTON SOUTH FROM 1967 TO 1970. THAT BOX WAS RUMOURED TO BE SHUTTING DOWN AND BOWSEFIELD TAKEN OVER AND THE CABIN IS STILL THERE 42 YEARS LATER. OH AND I LEARNT THE BLOCK [RULES ETC. TO BE A SIGNALMAN IN NORTON EAST] THEN I WENT TO BELASIS LANE, HAVERTON SOUTH, THEN ENDED UP AT NORTON SOUTH.. DAVE GILBERT
J26/27 class locomotive, possibly heading for ICI. Plenty of steam leakage from the inside cylinders on a cold morning? The signal box C1870 behind the train is still in operation, though due for replacement and with its neighbour Norton East is reputedly the oldest working box on Network Rail.