Go, a photo from Leicestershire, England

Photographer's Note

The 'bobbies' (signalmen) and gate-keepers at the level crossings first used hand signals, hand-held flags and hand-held lanterns to signal to the train crew. On the railway a white flag or light meant all-clear, red meant danger or stop and green originally meant caution. With the increasing use of gas and electric white lights the significance of green changed to all clear as of about 1893. As with most changes this took several years to apply, the GWR adopted green for all-clear in 1895 but green was still occasionally associated with a cautionary warning until the 1960's. From about the time of the First World War a white light was sometimes used as a danger indication on small track-side signals.

This signalman is at the Great Central Railway.Loughborough.

Thank to –www.myweb.tiscali.co.uk
This is a site for model train makers but has lots of information on how things were.

CLODO, Kofman, maria-v1981, ourania, Tigerlily has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CLODO (45116) 2012-02-19 1:15

Hello Marion

good play with the contrasting colors, and taken at the decisive moment!
Doors should be closed!
regards
CLODO

Hanssie (11022) 2012-02-19 1:59

Funny:-))
Love it !

maria-v1981 (10966) 2012-02-19 10:21

Hello Marion,
An unusuali and very nice idea, very good moment.
Οpen the machines of steam.
Have a nice Monday,
Maria

ourania (51103) 2012-02-19 11:28

Hello Marion,
a very well composed picture from an excellent point of view. I love the contrast between the bright and dull colours. The diagonal lines, the open door at exactly that spot and the posture of the "bobby" are lovely elements too. There's stillness and intensity, a very interesting and effective mixture, well captured!
All the best, have a good week,
Ourania

MJR (3360) 2012-02-19 14:13

Marion

You know you are getting older when the bobbies lok so young.. Add to that just about every other official you can think of these days, including train guards !

Intersting historical note, and a lovely evocative picture. ( They were NEVER SO young, were they ?

kind regards
Martin

No_One (4) 2012-02-26 6:26

Hi Marion,
Great colours and a wonderful capture of life as it happens.
Best wishes
Noel

claudeD (47754) 2012-03-03 7:17

Hello Marion,

as a railway fan a like this picture very much.Good composition and fine colors. You added a very good note to your picture. EXcellent contribution to TE.Very well done.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

davidsinger (3392) 2012-05-13 8:06

Nice composition on this already non-existing railroad.

Tigerlily (3381) 2012-09-09 9:16

Hi Marion,
Beautifully captured image, wonderful colour. It's great to know the history of "green flag".Thanks for sharing.