July 2016
165 008, Banbury South, 1H31, 29th July 2016
Chiltern 165 008 departs southbound from Platform 1 at Banbury station under the control of Banbury South's semaphore signal BS33, the up starter from Platform 1. This and the adjacent signal BS27, the up starter from Platform 2, were installed just a few years ago to facilitate the reversal of FGW HSTs at Banbury during a blockade at Reading and subsequent diversions. Friday 29th July 2016 marked the end of an era, this being the last day of operation of the signalling controlled by Banbury's North and South Signal Boxes. A blockade was put in place from Saturday 30th July 2016 to replace the remaining semaphore signals and to upgrade the trackwork and station. 165 008 is working 1H31, the 10:44 from Banbury to Marylebone at 10:44¾. Digital Image No. IGMP20174.
