Interlocking machine room explained

An Interlocking machine room (IMR) is a component of the London Underground signalling system. Interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. On the London Underground signals and points are operated and controlled by an array of electrical, pneumatic and mechanical components.[1] IMRs are unmanned and generally located adjacent to points or at platform ends, and provide a secure and weatherproof enclosure for pneumatically controlled mechanically and electrically interlocked levers mounted horizontally in an upright lever-frame or with a converted manual lever frame.[2] [3]

The table below is an alphabetical listing of the extant Interlocking Machine Rooms on the London Underground network in August 2019.[4]

London Underground operational Interlocking machine rooms!IMR Code!IMR name / location!LU Line!Location!Multiple codes controlled
BBQueen's Park DepotBakerloo
BDPaddingtonBakerlooin middle of platform
BMBaker StreetBakerloo
BPPiccadilly CircusBakerloo
BR BSWaterlooBakerloo
FBBromley-by-BowDistrict
FCPlaistowDistrict
FEEast HamDistrict
FFBarkingDistrictwithin manned cabinFB – FG
FFBarking Sidings WestDistrict
FFBarking Sidings EastDistrict
FGDagenham EastDistrict
FJHornchurchDistrict
FMUpminsterDistrictwithin manned cabinFJ – FM
FMUpminster WestDistrict
JBHarrow-on-the-Hill North SubsidiaryMetropolitan
JBHarrow-on-the-Hill South SubsidiaryMetropolitan
JEWillesden GreenMetropolitan Jubilee
JFNorthwoodMetropolitan
JJWatford South JunctionMetropolitan
JM MMNeasden DepotMetropolitan Jubilee
JBHarrow-on-the-HillMetropolitanwithin manned cabinJB subsidiaries and JF
JPWatfordMetropolitan
JPRickmansworthMetropolitanwithin manned cabinJP, JJ
JTChalfont & LatimerMetropolitan
JWAmershamMetropolitanwithin manned cabinJW, JT
MDFinchley RoadMetropolitanwas MD JB
MG JGWembley ParkMetropolitan
MPRayners LaneMetropolitan PiccadillyWith manned CabinMU, MW
MURuislip SidingMetropolitan Piccadilly
MWUxbridge SidingsMetropolitan Piccadilly
PBGreen ParkPiccadillyat end of platform
PDHolbornPiccadilly
PGWood GreenPiccadillyat end of platform
PJArnos GrovePiccadilly
PKOakwoodPiccadillyinside former cabin
PMCockfostersPiccadillyinside former cabin
VKFinsbury ParkVictoria
WBWest Kensington EastDistrict Piccadillyinside former cabin
WCWest Kensington WestDistrict Piccadilly
WDHammersmithDistrict Piccadilly
WFParsons Green EastDistrict
WFParsons Green West District
WGPutney BridgeDistrict
WKWaterlooWaterloo and Cityinside former cabin
WKTurnham GreenDistrict Piccadilly
WLActon Town (East) District
WLActon Town (West) District
WMEaling CommonDistrict
WMHanger Lane junctionDistrict
WPEaling BroadwayDistrictinside former cabin
WRNorthfields DepotPiccadilly
WSBoston ManorPiccadilly
WTHounslow CentralPiccadilly
WVSouth HarrowPiccadilly
WWHatton CrossPiccadillyat end of platform
WYHeathrow Terminals 2 and 3Piccadillyat end of platform
WZHeathrow Terminal 5Piccadilly
As London Underground train control is modernised[5] and updated some Interlocking Machine Rooms are made redundant. The table below is an alphabetical listing of the IMRs on the London Underground network that were operational in 1994[6] but had been decommissioned by April 2022.[7] [8]
London Underground decommissioned Interlocking machine rooms!!IMR Code!IMR name / location!LU Line!Location!Multiple codes controlled!Decommissioned
ACColindaleNorthernat end of platform2008-19
AEEdgwareNortherninside former cabin2008-19
BKenningtonNorthern2008-19
BShoreditchEast London2002-08
CCharing CrossNortherninside former cabin2008-19
CGWhite CityCentralwithin manned cabinEAB, NOA1994-2002
ECamden Town (Platform 1)Northern2008-19
ECamden Town (Platform 4)Northern2008-19
EABEaling BroadwayCentral1994-2002
ETCanal Junction (south of Surrey Quays)East Londonwithin manned cabin1994-2002
ETNew Cross GateEast London1994-2002
FHampsteadNortherninside former cabin2008-19
GGolders Green SouthNorthern2008-19
GGolders Green NorthNorthern2008-19
HONHolbornCentral1994-2002
JLStanmore SidingsJubilee2008-19
LBLiverpool StreetCentralin manned cabin in middle of platform1994-2002
LCBethnal GreenCentralin manned cabin in middle of platform1994-2002
LFLeytonstoneCentralin manned cabin1994-2002
LJWoodfordCentralin manned cabin1994-2002
LLHainaultCentralin manned cabinAlso controlled LL Grange Hill subsidiary area1994-2002
LPNewbury ParkCentralin manned cabin1994-2002
LTLoughtonCentralin manned cabin1994-2002
LUDebdenCentralin manned cabin1994-2002
LWEppingCentralin manned cabinLW, LX1994-2002
LXNorth WealdCentral in former manned cabin1994-2002
MMoorgateNortherninside former cabin2008-19
MAAMarble ArchCentral1994-2002
NNArchwayNortherninside former cabin2008-19
NOANorth ActonCentral1994-2002
NORNortholtCentralat end of platform1994-2002
NPEast FinchleyNortherninside former cabin2008-19
NQFinchley CentralNortherninside former cabin2008-19
NUHigh BarnetNortherninside former cabin2008-19
OPEdgware RoadMetropolitanwithin manned cabin2008-19
OZHammersmithMetropolitanwithin manned cabin2008-19
QUEQueenswayCentralat end of platform1994-2002
RUGRuislip GardensCentral1994-2002
TFGreen ParkJubilee2008-19
TGCharing CrossJubileeat end of platform2008-19
UStockwellNorthern2008-19
VEBrixtonVictoriaat end of platform2008-19
VFVictoriaVictoriaat end of platform2008-19
VGWarren StreetVictoriaat end of platform2008-19
VHKing's Cross St PancrasVictoriaat end of platform2008-19
VJHighbury & IslingtonVictoria2008-19
VLSeven SistersVictoria2008-19
VNNorthumberland Park DepotVictoria2008-19
VPWalthamstow CentralVictoriaat end of platform2008-19
WTooting BroadwayNorthernat end of platform2008-19
WERWest RuislipCentralwithin manned cabinWER, RUG, NOR1994-2002
XAngelNorthernin former manned cabin at end of platform1994-2002
YMordenNorthern2008-19
ENWhitechapelDistrictwithin manned cabin2021
ECEarl's CourtDistrictat end of platform2022
EDHigh Street KensingtonDistrict2022
EDTriangle Sidings (Kensington)District2022
EEGloucester RoadDistrict2022
EFSouth KensingtonDistrict2022
EGMansion HouseDistrict2021
EHEmbankmentDistrictat street level2021
EJTower HillDistrictin middle of platform2021
MBBaker StreetMetropolitanunder platforms 1 & 22019
MLSwiss CottageMetropolitan2019
OBAldgateDistrict Metropolitan2021
ODLiverpool StreetMetropolitaninside former cabin2021
OEMoogateMetropolitan2021
OHFarringdonMetropolitan2021
OJKing's Cross St PancrasMetropolitanat end of platform2021
LKing's CrossNortherninside former cabin
JEustonNorthern

See also

Interlocking

Liverpool Street signal box

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TfL Behind the scenes: signalling. 24 July 2019. 7 November 2019.
  2. Web site: Evening Standard - Underground is in Deep Trouble. 10 April 2012. 9 November 2019.
  3. Web site: Westinghouse Brake & Saxby Signalling. 9 November 2019.
  4. Book: Munsey, Myles. Railway Track Diagrams Book 5 Southern and TfL. Trackmaps. 2019. 978-1-9996271-2-6. Frome. 40–47.
  5. Web site: Transport for London computer system that is used to manage your rail network. 7 November 2019.
  6. Book: Jacobs, Gerald. Railway Track Diagrams England South and London Underground. Quail Map Company. 1994. 1898319073. Exeter. 37–46.
  7. Book: Jacobs, Gerald. Railway Track Diagrams Book 5 Southern and TfL. Trackmaps. 2008. 978-0-9549866-4-3. Bradford on Avon. 37–47.
  8. Book: Jacobs, Gerald. Railway Track Diagrams England South and London Underground. Quail Map Company. 2002. 1898319529. Exeter. 37–46.