Semaphore Signals At Former Beach Station

The semaphore signals at the former Beach Station in Cromer are likely from around 1920, although they may have been relocated in 1954. Their origin is probably linked to the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway or the Great Eastern Railway, but they were moved by British Railways. The signals consist of two cylindrical steel posts, each topped with a timber semaphore arm. They are notable examples of a traditional type and have group value with the adjacent Cromer signal box.

The railway line connecting Melton Constable to Cromer Beach was constructed by the Eastern and Midland Railway and opened in 1887. This railway went bankrupt in 1890 and was subsequently acquired by the Midland Railway and the Great Northern Railway, forming the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway in 1893. This joint railway, which spanned 183 miles, remained independent until 1936 when its parent companies were absorbed into different groupings, with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the London and North Eastern Railway, the latter taking full control in 1936.

The Cromer signal box, which is the last operational box from this system out of the original 90, was built in 1920 as Cromer Yard. It was refitted with its current frame when Cromer High station closed in 1954, at which point all traffic was redirected to Cromer Beach.