47532 Oxford 5 July 1980

A vintage scene at Oxford on 5 July 1980, as 47532 arrives at the station with the 1M38 06:28 Poole to Birmingham New Street service. It is about to pass the disused Oxford Station South signal box, which was taken out of use in 1973 with the introduction of colour light signalling to the area. Although the corresponding Oxford Station North signal box was quickly demolished, this structure survived for a number of years, but was demolished shortly after this picture was taken. Another sign of a bygone age is the complete lack of high visibility clothing, as two train crew members walk alongside the line over the bridge crossing the Botley Road.