The following item first appeared with a few accompanying photographs in the September 1996 edition of the M.R.S.'s 'The Journal' and should be read with that in mind. For the benefit of the website a few minor changes have been made to the main text, especially with relation to peoples names. These have been omitted or replaced so as to negate the need to verify with each individual the use of their name on the internet. Some additional notes are added where details are known to be inaccurate, particulary in cases where subsequent fact and 1996 theory are not one of the same. The selection of pictures has been expanded greatly to illustrate the events of 30th March 1996. Therefore, captions are new and were not included in the original article.

Since the end of 1995 our Chairman has been trying to arrange a visit to some of the doomed mechanical boxes due for replacement under the resignaling scheme between Radyr and Pontypridd. This will see m.a.s. replace the familiar lower quadrants, to be introduced in stages during 1997.

At the end of March '96, 13 members met on an uncharacteristically bright, fresh 'valleys' morning in the car park at Taffs Well. Early arrivals soaked up the atmosphere at this once busy junction and convergence of four railways (including the one overhead) at this narrow gap in the rocky outcrop, overlooked by the 1007ft Garth mountain.

Class 150 Valley Lines unit, 150270, leaves the Taffs Well area on Cardiff-bound service. Walnut Tree box is in the background. The line from Aber Jcn., Caerphilly, came in on the right, just beyond the dmu. In the 1980's it was found that coal trains didn't have to be switched between the Rhymney Valley and the Taff Vale so the line was abandoned and eventually lifted.

Walnut Tree Signalbox stood on the Up platform bearing all the hallmarks of its Taff Vale origins. We learned that it was planned to be saved from destruction, finding its way eventually to the turf of its former adversary at Barry to take its place as an exhibit at the developing heritage centre in the town.

Our guide for the day, Railtrack manager, Paul S., duly arrived and we climbed the steps of Walnut Tee box to meet relief signalman Walkman, normally located at Heath Jcn. Immediately, it was noticeable that the track diagram was showing signs of alteration; nothing of Nantgarw and, of course, the 'Big Hill' to Caerphilly. The latter saw its last traffic more than a dozen years ago. The 79-lever frame still looked the part even though only a handful were now operational. This box will be first to go, probably in January next year, followed by Maesmawr, near Treforest.

The magnificent signalbox that was 'Walnut Tree'. Its substantial brick base and good elevation are evident.		A 'Pacer' dmu arrives at Taffs Well showing clearly the height of the box above the train. The diverge-right signal arm on the left (Down line) has been removed, presumabley after a cross-over was taken out.

Plans for a turn-back facility were discussed which could enable Up trains to terminate in the Down Platform. Existing Radyr services could then run up to Taffs Well, for example, providing greater flexibility.

Comment was made by our Railtrack host on the fine GWR block instruments as opposed to Bakolite-bodied varieties found on the Midland, much to the amusement of many, including our own Midland stalwart there that day, H.W. It was remarkable to see that to this day some of the old 'company' rivalry still surfaces.

Next on the itinerary was Maesmawr. Half a dozen cars played follow my leader as we made our way to Treforest. Upon leaving the A470 a few junctions up we twisted and turned through the light industrial and retail estate where we came upon the former track bed that led down from the mainline to this industrial area and arrived alongside the box (one car understandably got lost but rejoined the party at Radyr). The striking aspect at the GWR-origin Maesmawr box is the heavy bracing on the back of the structure. Constructed of thick beams, the wood involved easily runs into a couple of tons and has been in place for some time. The integral steps led to a spacious cabin having a frame of 65 levers (if my notes serve me right). Our host, Ray the 'twitcher', was a relatively new recruit to the profession having started just nine months previously.

Maesmawr pictured in April 1987. Of typical GWR design, the bracing on the back can not be appreciated in this shot due to the abundance of 'nature'.	The fine frame at Maesmawr. There was also a modern suspended ceiling, presumably to improve cabin comfort.	The 'Snowpake' daubed on the track diagram is all too obvious. Just two tracks remained under control.	The track diagram over the frame.

The track diagram over the frame revealed copious amounts of 'snowpake' to have been applied blotting out all branch and pointwork leaving just the Up and Down lines with their respective 'boards'. On the Down side it was evident that none too considerable traffic flows would have been signalled on the dirt path we had used for access. Ghost white lines and shapes against the faded paper could only keep you guessing at what had been.

The cluster of instruments on the far right of the frame.	The noticeboard was located near the entrance to the main cabin floor. The gradient profile from Cardiff Central to Pontypridd Jcn. filled the upper third.	The gradient profile clearly shows it's a continuous battle against the grade when going up the Taff Vale.

Cameras and videos recorded the passage of a number of Up and Down trains, with Ray performing the required movements much to the enjoyment of the 'voyeur'. This is to be Maesmawr's last Summer but somebody was proudly displaying on the staff noticeboard, photographs of well tended flower boxes adorning the front of the Signalbox (perhaps last year?), pinned beneath the gradient profile. All too soon our reconnoitre into the only GWR box on the list that day was over and we retraced our steps back to Taffs Well.

An Up, north-bound class 150 approaches the box as the strong, Spring sunshine streams in through the less than perfectly clear glazing, softening the light.	Coming down from Pontypridd, south-bound 150268 shoots through, about to pass into the section controlled by Walnut Tree box. The Up Starter signal behind it was operated by lever #3.

The road approaches to Radyr station are particularly poor as it is clogged with parked cars on an already narrow road. It seems incredible this will be a thoroughfare for the developing building site soon to swallow up chunks of Radyr Yd. The box at Radyr is familiar to most, being of B.R. construction complete with lifebelt. It opened in 1960 replacing a T.V.R. structure a little nearer Llandaff. The lever frame is also notable in that the signalman has his back to the rails when operating it. The 107 lever frame is still very impressive keeping the solitary 'bobby' on duty fairly busy. He, too, had to make entries in the log of train movements like the previous boxes visited. The diagram over the frame appeared to be reasonably well intact although when looking out over the Yard all that could be seen was bushes and shrubbery, growing to over 5ft high in places. Much of the track must still be in-situ but all out of use. It was brought to our attention that this box was to be the location for the planned mini panel controlling the sections to Pontypridd and Llandaff.[Box demolished due to poor state of repair. The new panel is located in a non-descript cabin near the underpass at Radyr station].

Radyr Jcn box had an impressive 107-lever frame.	Some of the instruments and buttons below the track diagram.

Most of us were interested to see the locking room for such a good sized Frame so we took a look through the door at the foot of the steps. A lot of metalwork exists to prevent the setting-up of conflicting routes and signals.

We left Radyr to make our way by car across what were the Up sidings, now in use as a large storage area for ballast, sleepers and other S & T groundwork fittings. In due course this will inevitably become a housing estate.

Radyr Quarry Junc. signalbox is another fine T.V.R. example, thought to be older than Walnut Tree by those amongst us. A good, clean photo was not possible due to the close proximity of the running lines. For those who liked a long, friendly chat with a railwayman of long standing they had saved the best until last. We were fortunate to have visited when Colin was on duty. In locomotive terms he had a little more "wear on the tyres" than our previous hosts, most clearly revealed as he told of his days as a guard behind steam braked only ex-R.R. type 0-6-2T's, attempting to pin-down brakes as the coal train gathered speed, running out of control all the way through to Cardiff docks. A great character and railway raconteur, we should have had an idea when he greeted us with the opening gambit, "When we have visitors I offer to make tea, but 13 !? I insist we open a collection box!".

Radyr Quarry Jcn signalbox, pictured in April 1987, viewed from a passing train on the tracks to/from Llandaff. The Down side bracket on the left does not appear on the track diagram of 1996.	Quarry Jcn's track diagram showing the Llandaff Loop line and access to the south end of Radyr Yard. All out of use in March 1996.	The attention to neatness and presentation on old installations is apparent in this picture of the wiring tucked away behind the instrument shelf, even though it can't be seen unless you stoop and nearly rick your back when twisting round to look.

It was obvious that at the Quarry box the pace is more sedate, now only surviving to signal through the City line services. With the kettle simmering in the corner and a bit of carpet beneath the chair, it's the quiet life for a few. The 60 or so lever frame, complete with car-mat draft excluders, could only hint as to what the box could have been called to perform in earlier days. The view from the cabin is certainly not for the faint hearted; the large expanse of a derelict Radyr Yard in a sorry state but one that had to be recorded for posterity before the developers move in. Probable slewing of the track here over into the Down Yard will see the wiping-out of any remnant of a junction to Llandaff, details of which were still extant on the diagram over the frame. However, only the boards for the Up and Down lines were actually operative.

One of Canton's 'bus-bodied' Pacer dmu's has passed on the Up line towards Radyr Jcn and the station at Radyr, with the redundant expanse of Radyr Yard on the right. The guard is sat in the rear cab.	The unusual sight of a signal post combining Up Starter & fixed Distant boards with that of the Down Home. Done in the name of rationalisation, one presumes.

A most pleasant, interesting, and for me, unique, number of hours were all too quickly over as we left Radyr Quarry Jcn. However, the Treasurer and I stopped for a few last shots of the unusual signal post that stands in the Up sidings having upon it the Up Starter with fixed Distant facing one way and the Down home facing the other.

The rather sad site of Radyr Yard as viewed from the window of Radyr Quarry box. The old steam shed is the large building to the right, gradually disappearing behind the natural vegetation taking over the area.

On behalf of the Society, I would like to thank Mr Paul S. and his staff for their time and patience and we certainly look forward to accepting the offer of a further visit, later in the Autumn, to some of the ex-R.R. installations. (*note: unfortunately, it was not possible to make further contact and the visit never took place.)

HISTORICAL NOTES
Radyr Quarry Jcn. - The present box was opened in July 1899, replacing not only an earlier one of 13 levers, but also Penarth Jcn. sidings North and South boxes. On opening, it had a 60-lever frame, probably of McKenzie & Holland manufacture, which was replaced by the present standard GWR 61-lever frame in 1946.[Box demolished, no information on any surviving equipment - further details gratefully received].

Radyr Jcn. - There have been at least three previous boxes controlling this important junction; in earlier days it was known as Penarth Junction Main, reflecting the importance of the line to Penarth Dock in TVR days. The present box is of Western Region standard modular design commonly termed "plywood wonders" by signalling enthusiasts; it was originally erected c. 1958 at Swindon Station East but not commissioned. The box and lever frame were then reused here at Radyr Jct., opening in June 1961. The frame, of 107 levers, is of GWR/WR standard design, facing the rear of the box as was later Western Region practice. [Box demolished due to poor state of repair. The new Radyr Panel is located in a cabin near the underpass at the South end of Radyr station].

Walnut Tree Jcn. - This is the third box known to have existed here and it is believed to date from around 1900. A standard GWR/TVR frame of 79 levers was installed in 1952, no details of earlier frames having come to light. The artistic skills of the bricklayers are very evident here in the way that the narrow base widens to accommodate the operating floor. Rumour has it that this box may be taken down and re-erected at the Rhondda Heritage Park . It is certainly worthy of preservation. [Cabin & frame moved to Parkend, Dean Forest Rly. over 22/23 March 1997, followed by 10 skips of the brick base. A substantial part of the box was re-assembled a couple of years later to create Parkend Signalbox].

Maesmawr - A signal box was opened here in 1903 by the TVR, of which no details are known. The present standard GWR wooden structure dates from c. 1930, as does the 65-lever frame, of slightly earlier design than those in the other boxes in this survey. On closure, it is intended that this box will be dismantled and pass into preservation on another site. [Indications are, the box was dismantled and moved to Southhall for storage but subsequently founds its way to the Dean Forest Railway where it is in store, pending re-use. Further confirmation and information on this is welcomed].

Additional Notes :

• Llandaff signal box was also removed in the resignalling project.
• The former Radyr steam shed presided over the redundant Yard after the resignalling scheme (visible in year 2000 aerial photos, see multimap.co.uk) but was eventually demolished, thought to have been during 2001 or there abouts.
• In July 2003, house-building on the Radyr Yard site was still in its early days (on the Up side) with only an access road but no bridge yet to get onto the former Down side Yard, the largest part of the site by far. Bridging is required to get over the City line.