Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
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DEPARTMENTS PERMANENT WAY LOCOMOTIVE OPERATING DIESEL & PLANT SIGNAL & TELEGRAPH CARRIAGE & WAGON

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ROUTINE JOBS

The lamps are topped up, cleaned, have their wicks trimmed and are lit. (c) T. Warner Lamping
This is a once common job all over the country whereby the signal lamps (paraffin) would be topped up, wicks trimmed and then carried to the signals. On the Railway, this takes place at Stoneacre only, seeing as Embsay is electrically lit, and is only carried out when services will run in the dark. The lamp reservoirs hold enough paraffin to keep burning for 7 days minimum, and during the Santa season these require attention once a week. There are two sets of lamps: one in use and one prepared ready for use. Unfortunately we do not have a proper lamp hut at Stoneacre yet, but we will get one eventually! Successfully lit. (c) T. Warner

  • The lamps are filled and cleaned as well as being checked for leaks.

  • The wicks are trimmed and then lit and allowed to burn for a while.

  • The height of the wick is adjusted to make sure the flame is the correct size (indicated by the etched lines on the glass)

  • The lamp inner is taken to the signal, the old inner lifted out of the case, and the new one substituted.

  • The light is then checked to see if it is visible.

    Setting the height of the wick. (c) T. Warner Climbing the ladder. (c) T. Warner At the top of the ladder showing the inner and the case. (c) T. Warner Job done. Different signal, but the light can be seen. (c) T. Warner
    • To contact the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, e-mail
    enquiries@embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
    Disclaimer - website (c) YDRMT 2001 -