Starting with a brief history of the railway at Plymouth, Larry moves on the describe the staff, the equipment and the regulations.

The major part of the book is devoted to describing each of the signal boxes and setting out the local instructions that applied and a diagram – usually several diagrams. The signal boxes of both the railway companies are included and they are all listed here.

There are appendices dealing with the opening hours of signal boxes, special bell codes used and the electric token receiving and delivery apparatus.

The value of this book goes beyond Plymouth as it will aid an understanding of how signal boxes in and around a major conurbation work together to keep traffic moving and serve the customers.

Larry Crosier became interested in railways in the 1930s on visits to relations at St Germans. He visited the Great Western Railway signal box there and was hooked. He joined the railway in 1943 and was soon on his way to becoming a signalman. Larry became one of the “famous five”; the five people who founded the Society in 1969, and our first Chairman.