Views From Gloucester Panel Box
On his return trips to the UK, Robin would spend time visiting Gloucester Panel Box, taking pictures of the all diesel scene. None of the photos have any dates or information. I will leave it to others with more knowledge than I have of BR diesel operations to fill in the gaps.
Signalling modernisation in the Cheltenham and Gloucester area was introduced in stages from late 1966 with the brand new Gloucester Panel Box taking over functions previously performed by various boxes. It was built adjacent to Horton Road level crossing and became fully operational in May 1968. In 2025 it was still controlling an area covering approximately from just north of Ashchurch through Cheltenham and Gloucester - then on the Swindon line to just west of Kemble; on the Bristol line to Berkeley Road and the Sharpness branch; on the South Wales main to around Awre. The Panel Box's wiring underwent extensive modernisation in October 2025, with Gloucester station lines closed to all trains for several days while the work took place.
Robin took this photo in the mid-1960s from Gloucester Goods Junction Signal Box. Horton Road still had plenty of steam on shed as D34 passes by on 1V31 Nottingham - Bristol heading for the stop at Gloucester Eastgate station. By the time the Panel Box was operating, steam was no longer around locally, it was all diesel.
The scene in early 1968 when Tramway Junction box controlled the crossing at Horton Road is nicely seen in this photo https://www.flickr.com/photos/curly42/7766709512
Changes are underway with destruction of familiar landmarks such as signal gantries and the loco shed. Bonfires have nearly blotted out Gloucester Cathedral. A class 08 shifts coal wagons with Gloucester Mileage Yard signal cabin visible beyond. In early 1968 Gloucester Eastgate station was reduced to one platform.
On a clear day the Cathedral looms in the background. A class 45 diesel is waiting in the sidings as are blue and grey carriages at Eastgate station. The platform extension at Gloucester Central can be seen. More tracks have been removed compared with the previous picture.
As well as trains arriving at and leaving the two Gloucester stations, there were lots of shunting movements across Horton Road to hold up road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. In this scene Hymek D7075 looks to be engaged in reversing parcels train 3B73 back towards the station having pulled out over Horton Road . A good mix of power and liveries on shed.
A 'Western' hydraulic departs on a passenger working. A couple of 'Peak' diesels and a Brush type 4 await duty on the remains of Horton Road shed.
'Baby Warship' D6331 is seen from the Panel box. In the cab is the driver and a guard, so it may have left a freight at Gloucester New Yard. It was allocated to Bristol Bath Road but based at Horton Road for some time working local and branch line freights before withdrawl in March 1971. Barnwood freight yard is crammed with wagons.
'Peak' diesels started hauling cross-country services such as 'The Devonian' in Summer 1961 and were still hard at work on these services into the 1980s. A long line of redundant wagons sit in what remains of Barnwood yard.
A 'Peak' diesel approaches Horton Road crossing probably on a cross-country working after Gloucester Eastgate and the Tuffley Loop were closed in late 1975. Another 'Peak' is on the line northwards. Note Barnwood yard is now empty.
Robin was around during the Great Western Railway 150th anniversary celebrations in 1985 when Gloucester was very much involved. He took pictures from the Panel Box.
Top left is 6000 'King George V' at Horton Road, but without name and number plates and its famous bell.
Above left shows 7819 'Hinton Manor' and 4930 'Hagley Hall' at Horton Road.
Top right: 'Hagley Hall' departs Gloucester station wirh a special.
Above right: BR Standard 75069, Swindon built, passes the Power Box with a GW loco plus support coach and 'The Devonian' headboard. Barnwood freight yard has completely vanished by this time.