Site last updated 29 July 2008

About the Signalling Record Society

The Signalling Record Society (SRS) was formed in 1969 to cater for those interested in railway signalling. At that time the subject was much neglected, little having been written about it. Railway history books of the period gave little more than a passing mention to signalling or operating methods; the steady increase in coverage since the Society was formed has shown that there was a need for such an organisation. It could be said that the SRS was founded just in time, for a large number of mechanical signal boxes have already been closed and much valuable documentation has been destroyed.
The Society currently has around 600 members, including a number of authors on signalling and other railway subjects; many members are signallers or work elsewhere in the railway industry. As far as is known, the SRS is the only non-professional organisation specialising in railway signalling. Associated societies, founded by SRS members, exist in Australia, while we also have members in Ireland, Europe and North America.

While we particularly welcome as new members those actively engaged in research, this is not a requirement for membership; indeed, anyone who supports our aims is welcome. The main aim of the Society is to promote the exchange of information between members; some have a general interest in signalling and operating, while others specialise in the equipment or the signalling history of a particular railway. Examples of such topics are: track and signalling layouts and the collecting of signal box diagrams, the development of operating methods and equipment, collecting documents (including signalling alteration notices) and photographs, collecting and restoring block instruments or single line equipment, mechanical lever frames and locking, and overseas signalling.

What does the SRS offer members?

The Society provides a range of services, all with the aim of expanding knowledge of the subject and encouraging the exchange of information between members. We issue a bi-monthly illustrated journal ‘The Signalling Record’. This contains articles by members covering a wide variety of subjects, plus details of recent Railtrack signalling alterations, and Society activities.

The Society has created a network of Corresponding Members who cover most areas of signalling interest. These are members who have agreed to act as a clearing house for information on their particular subject, and who can put people in touch with others interested in the same field. Corresponding Members also keep historical information on signalling installations in their area.

A General Meeting is held each Spring, at which members can express their views on the running of the Society, and a committee is elected for the coming year. The remainder of the day is devoted to illustrated talks on matters of signalling interest. A separate meeting dedicated to slide shows and talks, and allowing members more time to discuss mutual interests, is generally held in the Autumn. These meetings take place in various locations around the country, sometimes at heritage railway sites. Local meetings are also held in some areas and, where Railtrack policy allows, visits are arranged to signal boxes.

The Society has a central archive of various documents relating to railway signalling, including operating instructions, signalling diagrams and contractor’s publications. The archive is open to members of the Society for research, by appointment. The society also maintains a central photographic collection, from which prints are available by mail order at reasonable prices. In addition, a register is kept of signalling photographs held by members who are willing to make their collections available to others.

We produce a range of publications, including various books of layout diagrams, and other work by individual members. To deal with specialised subjects in greater detail than is possible in ‘The Signalling Record’, the Society produces Signalling Papers. Subjects covered to date range from Tappet Interlocking to Tokenless Block. The Society also produces Research Notes, which are less formal and comprise information such as reprints of archive indexes.

The SRS operates a drawing office, which currently has a catalogue of over 3,000 items, available to members at reduced prices. The majority of these comprise our own range of signal box diagrams.

Full details of the organisation of the Society are contained in a handbook issued to new members on joining. While we are naturally pleased if members play an active part in Society affairs, we would stress that there is no compulsion to do so. If you are interested in signalling, why not join the SRS?

To join, please click here to show the membership form, and print it out. Then complete it and send with your payment (payable to Signalling Record Society) to the Membership Secretary, Mr Barry Bridges, at:

38 Founceley Avenue, Dane End, WARE, Herts. SG12 0NQ

Please send all membership enquiries to Barry Bridges at the address above, and not to any other officer.