THE mid to late-1960s was a busy time for the Railway Observer with the gradual end of steam on BR, but in the spring of 1965 the RO reported on major disruption into Waterloo following the day the signalbox fell down: May 10, 1965.
It was a normal morning rush hour into Waterloo with no reported disruption. At about 08.36, just as the main and suburban lines into Waterloo were reaching their busiest time, the north end of Clapham Junction ‘A’ signalbox suddenly dropped four feet after part of a supporting girder had failed. The fall of the structure also severed signalling cables and damaged the mechanical interlocking, adding to the problems.
The bridge on which Clapham Junction ‘A’ was supported was at the time of the incident some 60 years old. It comprised two 120ft-long main girders and spanned the up and down Windsor through and local lines, the two Kensington lines, and three sidings.