Product Description
A matched pair of Great Western Railway brass "Detonator" plates, detonators were audible warning shots. These small devices were made of thin metal pressed out halves which were crimped together, inside were several flint capsules surrounde by gun powder. The outside case had lead straps on it and these could be secured to the railhead in an emergency. In signal boxes levers were provided which operated a magazine bolted to the side of the rails, inside the magazine were 2 detonators, In an emergency or during fog working the signalman would pull the detonator lever the "shot" would slide out on to the railhead. When a trains wheels rode over them they would explode and the driver on hearing this would stop his train. Usually detonator brasses are oval but there were some made like these, they are quite rare and especially together as a set. These plates measure 5 1/2" X 1 9/16".
