CURRENT PROJECTS
Telephones
Work has recently centred on providing an internal telephone system at Embsay to better serve the needs of the site and
improve communication. Much help and assisstance has been provided by Derrick from the Nene Valley, and we are incredibly
greatful for his generous efforts!
Sleights Sidings East signalbox
A demonstration signalbox for Bolton Abbey
Earlier this year we were told that the aforementioned signalbox had been demolished, only to find it advertised for sale!
It is now ours and is due to be moved imminently to Bolton Abbey station where it will be placed in the original's location,
and fitted out as a demonstration signalbox for the public to make use of. It originates from Pinxton, and is a 2A box which
was built in 1892 and came out of use in June 2007. Although it is a 15' box, rather than a 20' box like Bolton Abbey's
original, it is in excellent condition and will be a real attraction whne complete. So far we have inspected the box and
subsequently spent time preparing it for moving. We will need to build foundations for it at Bolton Abbey, but once this is
done it should not be too long until it is rebuilt, and then we can start fitting it out in between all the other jobs.
The signalbox has now been moved to Bolton Abbey, reassembled and is being restored - photos of all the work can be found
HERE
Guiseley Repairs
The ex-Guiseley signalbox repaint has started this year, along with SSE, and to assist this, the windowsill at the East
end was replaced just after Easter 2008. This was a complicated job, as the windowsill seems to have been one of the first
components of a Midland Railway signalbox to have been constructed! As a result of this, the replacement had to be made in
two halves, then joined back together at the end. The old one had gradually rotted away, and whilst it was being replaced
the time was taken to sort out the windows at that end which have also suffered from the effects of the weather. The
painting we also intended to complete at the same time has had to be delayed until Summer 2009 owing to the poor weather
during 2008 along with the department's operating roles. The final window has been put back in, and the East end of the
signalbox has seen a lot of time and effort involved in its repaint. This is not yet complete, but is making good progress.
Finally, we are still awating the beading to complete the windows which should be available soon.
M.R. bracket signal for Embsay
We have designed and are in the process of building a new bracket signal to a Midland Railway design. This will replace the
existing structure at Embsay which is of L&Y origins, and is suffering through age! The main post for the new signal was
originally installed at Embsay Junction in 1902 when the Grassignton Branch was opened, but is in excellent condition.
Work has basically been completed apart from the erection and reassembly! The woodwork is complete and ready to be lifted
into place once the hole has been dug, the straining post's foundations are complete, requiring it to be lifted in and
grouted into its final positon, and all the stay wires need making up. Maybe the end is in sight...
The drawing to the right is not complete (or entirely accurate!), as handrails and ladders will have to be added, but gives
some impression of the top of the signal. The main post is 32' tall...
Groundframe for Bolton Abbey
Work on this project took a turn for the better with the acquisition of the two groundframes from Houghton's emergency
crossover which has been decommissioned. These were in excellent condition and the decision was taken to use these components
and keep the former Stoneacre groundframe levers as spares. Consequently the project has flown along with Rob doing most of
the work on the locking and preparing the wooden structure for further use and adapting it to take 6 levers instead of 3. A
small model signalman also made an appearance when work really kicked off!
The frame has now been dismantled, painted and transported to Bolton Abbey for final assembly and connecting up. In the
meantime, the re-useable concrete legs were recovered from both ex-Houghton groundframes and additional legs were made from
steel. Other than assembling the components, holes need digging for the legs, and there is plenty of tea to drink in between
connecting up the rodding! The digging for the groundframe has been completed - seen just beyond the components in the
photograph. The main structure was installed without too much hassle under the (very efficient) military instruction (!) of
Charlie, and Rob has subsequently bolted everything together and is working on the next stages, planting rodding stools and
completing the lead out bench. The drive onto the air machine for the loop points has been made, using the remains of a dead
cylinder.
