Key identification

[Wexford70]

Hi folks,

Is this an Annett's key for a point lever?

It has the letter B on it,very faint. 

[jhb171achill]

21 hours ago, Wexford70 said:

Hi folks,

Is this an Annett's key for a point lever?

It has the letter B on it,very faint. 

Odd design if it is; certainly looks like a key of SOME sort. Are you sure it has railway origin? 

[GSWR 90]

Some lever frames have a small lock at the bottom of the first lever to stop the frame being operated. It looks like a key for one of those locks 

[seagoebox]

This is also "B" on the Dungannon to Donaghmore ETS

[jhb171achill]

5 minutes ago, seagoebox said:

This is also "B" on the Dungannon to Donaghmore ETS

Looks like almost the same key pattern! 

[cheesy_peas]

On 30/9/2026 at 7:08 PM, Wexford70 said:

Hi folks,

Is this an Annett's key for a point lever?

It has the letter B on it,very faint. 

Level crossing gate lock key.

Edited Friday at 09:02 by cheesy_peas

[Wexford70]

22 hours ago, jhb171achill said:

Odd design if it is; certainly looks like a key of SOME sort. Are you sure it has railway origin? 

I believe it was connected to a Miniature Electronic Staff instrument.

 

20 hours ago, seagoebox said:

This is also "B" on the Dungannon to Donaghmore ETS

It looks to be the same pattern if a little less warn:

[cheesy_peas]

Had a little rummage and found my level crossing key, same idea, but completely different pattern.

Your one could well be off an ets instrument if marked with a letter, one with a key was sold a few years back by Purcell's.

[seagoebox]

In some signal cabins that controlled single lines, there was one of these keys in a lock on the lever that was opened by the key that was released from the ETS machine. In other words the starting signal could not be pulled until the key from the ETS was released by the adjoining signal box.

These keys were also used at level crossings, when both gates were closed and locked across the road in a particular order, the key was released and could be inserted in the ground frame to enable the crossing keeper to clear their signals.

The same key in different patters was used to operate ground frames