Document record MAB56106 - DYCE SOUTH SIGNAL BOX
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Summary
Site of a signal box, formerly Dyce South.
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 8849 1272 (13m by 18m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ81SE |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire City |
| Civil Parish | Dyce |
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Site of a signal box, formerly Dyce South. The signal box at Dyce formerly controlled one of the Great North of Scotland Railway's important junctions, where the long Buchan branch line to Fraserburgh and Peterhead diverged from the main Aberdeen to Keith and Elgin line. Dyce was one of the original stations on the Great North of Scotland railway when it opened in 1854, but the signal box has been recorded in the 'Register of Scottish Signal boxes' as dating from 1880. This is an example of the Great North of Scotland Railway's first signal box design which was used up until 1903. The signal box at Kittybrewster is similar. This type is taller than most boxes, in this case giving a view over the footbridge of trains approaching from the north. The design had a brick base up to the cabin floor level and supported a wooden superstructure. The sides were fully glazed windows and the roof was hipped with overhanging eaves. This signal box originally contained thirty levers to control the signal arms. If the arm was horizontal the train must not pass the signal but if it was raised (or lowered) at a 45 degree angle the line ahead was clear. As well as controlling signals the levers also operate points. These are movable sections of track which allow trains to switch from one line to another. Following the closure of the Dyce signal boxes in the North (NJ81SE0327) and on the Buchan line (NJ81SE0329) the number of levers increased to 42. When the railway line became a single track in 1973 the number of levers was reduced to 26. Today the structure is no longer in its original state. Modern improvements to the working conditions inside the building led to the slate roof being replaced by a corrugated iron one. The windows are now double glazed.
HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY, 2018, ABERDEEN TO INVERURIE ROUTE ENHANCEMENT: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION FOR HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB5997.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ACY;
- NMR Card Number: NJ81SE189;
- NRHE Numlink: 317761;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ81SE0331;
External Links (1)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/317761 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (1)
- --- SAB5997 Bibliographic reference: HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY. 2018. ABERDEEN TO INVERURIE ROUTE ENHANCEMENT: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION FOR HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING. WSI.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Nov 21 2025 11:42AM
