Netham Quarry Signalbox - Portishead LIne

[Hobbler]

On the Portishead side of Clifton Bridge No 2 Tunnel once stood a signalbox known as Netham Quarry Box .

As far as I can ascertain its sole purpose was to provide a warning system for blasting operations at Netham Quarry alongside the line . After many years of disuse it was eventually demolished in 1932.

Now there must have been a tremendous amount of blasting going on to justify the provision of a box just for this purpose , especially in pre H & S days as I cannot think of any other railway operating need for a box in that position that would not be covered by Oak Wood Box or Clifton Bridge Box which were the next boxes in each direction.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter or indeed know anything about Netham Quarry Box ?

[railwest]

I cannot think of any other railway operating need for a box in that position that would not be covered by Oak Wood Box or Clifton Bridge Box

But Oak Wood box did not open until 1929. The box name apparently was Netham QUARRIES and it may have had sidings, which perhaps would explain its existence.

If the quarry did blasting that was likely to affect the railway then the GWR would want some form of protection. I don't think the volume/frequency of blasting was necessarily relevant. Despite its 'Signal Box' name, was it always a block post during its existence?[/i]

[Robin Summerhill]

I'm becoming a dab hand at digging around on this Old Maps website

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html. Enter "Bristol" or "Clifton" in the search box then move the pointer to the point where the river curves to the west before Sea Mills.

There are no sidings shown on either the 1888 or 1903 1:2500 scale maps, although there is what appears to be a tramroad leading down from the quarry to a pier