One feature of the signalling of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) was the use in some locations of signal arms which bore a large ring on their face. In the early years this practice was confined exclusively to subsidiary arms (ie those mounted below another main arm), but in later years there were also some examples of rings on the main arms of signals used at the entrance to, or exit from, goods lines. Click here for more general information on S&DJR signals and signal arms.

Main Arms

This table lists, in line order, all known examples of a S&DJR main signal arm bearing a ring, where that arm was the only arm on a signal post or bracket doll and not a subsidiary arm. Except where stated otherwise, the signals are assumed to have been provided initially when the relevant signal-box was opened. There is some documentary evidence which suggests that additional ringed arm signal(s) may have existed on the Goods Lines at Templecombe Junction pre-1933, but no specific details are available. (SInnn = the relevant S&DJR Signal Instruction number.)

Subsidiary Arms

The S&DJR installed a number of ringed arms for 'Calling On' and 'Shunt Ahead' signals. These signals had a full-size arm painted red with a white spot, surmounted by a black ring, the reverse being painted white with a black spot. In the Southern Railway period a few of these signals appear to have been renewed as a lower quadrant arm, painted red with a broad horizontal white band and bearing a large red 'C' or 'S' on their face - the reverse was painted white with a broad horizontal black band. In later years some signals were renewed as smaller upper quadrant (UQ) arms painted in the same style - some of these bore a large red 'S' on their face, while others had an indicator attached to the signal post which, when the arm was 'off', showed an illuminated 'C', 'S' or 'W' to denote the function ('Calling On', 'Shunt Ahead' or 'Warning').

This table lists, in line order, all known examples of a S&DJR subsidiary signal placed below a main arm on the same post. Except where stated otherwise, the signals are assumed to have been provided initially when the relevant signal-box was opened. All these signals are believed to have been 'ringed' arms originally, although many were renewed subsequently as other patterns. The table excludes elevated 'ground disc' signals mounted beneath a main signal, and also any locations where a ringed arm was placed on a separate post of a bracket (the latter are listed in the table of main arms).

© Chris Osment 2002