Woodys Antiques

Description

A British Rail semaphore distant signal arm. One of the earliest forms of fixed railway signal is the semaphore. These signals displayed their different indications to train drivers by changing the angle of inclination of a pivoted 'arm'. Semaphore signals were patented in the early 1840's by Joseph James Stevens, and soon became the most widely used form of mechanical signal. Designs have altered over the intervening years, and colour light signals have replaced most semaphore signals.