SLEIGHTS SIDINGS EAST
Another signalbox for Bolton Abbey
In the late Summer of 2007 we learnt that Sleights Sidings East signalbox, located in Pinxton, was available for sale, having
been saved from demolition when it was decomissioned in June. It had been moved to the Car Dismantlers opposite its original
location, and upon inspection, proved to be in excellent condition, and a worthy candidate for a demonstration signalbox for
Bolton Abbey.
Built in 1892 by the Midland Railway company to their standard design 2A. Originally fitted with a 16 lever tumbler frame
and a gate wheel for the level crossing it protected. On 29th June 1980 it had lifting barriers and a new IFS panel commissioned.
As part of the resignalling in the area, the box was abolished at 14:07 on 9th June 2007. (Many thanks to Nick Allsop for his
information and photographs of Sleights Sidings East prior to its decommissioning.)
Sleights Sidings East worked Absolute Block to Pinxton, and Track Circuit Block to Trent.
Although it is only a 15' box, and Bolton Abbey's original was 20', it is nevertheless a suitable signalbox which will really
add something to the station. The ultimate aim is to fit out the signalbox as Bolton Abbey's original was, complete with all
the instruments and allow public access so that they can get something of a feel for the job of signalman.
Bolton Abbey's original signalbox can be seen here in 1907 with the platform passing in front of the signalbox. This was
later cut back, and can be seen in the second photo. The platform today is very similar, and the signalbox's new location
allows the platform to be extended in front of the signalbox. Compare the first and third photographs which were taken
from roughly the same place, 100 years apart!
Work had to be carried out in order to prepare the signalbox for its move from Pinxton Car Dismantlers to Bolton Abbey.
After a failed attempt to move the signalbox before Christmas, the weekend of 26th and 27th January proved to be a huge
success with almost everything going according to plan! The photos below show the operation from start to finish.
Work to tidy up the interior of the box started as soon as it touched the ground, with broken glass removed, rubbish tidied
out and old wiring taken off the walls inside and out. Sanding and painting of the interior will take place whilst it is on
the deck waiting for the foundations to be constructed. The box will then be reassembled before being painted externally and
having a staircase built.
The interior has had all later additions removed from the walls and the recent layers of paint stripped back. This has shown us
its previous colour schemes, and the Midland Railway red and yellowy-cream has been decided upon. When the walls had been
sanded back, undercoat was applied and top coat will follow. At the same time, the foundations have been dug and concreting
should be able to take place soon. Furniture has been acquired from Stanlow and Thornton signalbox, which has recently been
demolished. This has also led to a frame being made available.
Whilst the initial work on the foundations was carried out fairly quickly, the weather over Summer 2008 was not the kindest
and so things were held up somewhat. When they did get going, though, the project moved along fairly quickly with concrete
being poured five minutes after the digging was completed! After this, blockwork was concrtucted underneath where each of
the cornerposts would sit - not as easy as it sounds, given that they are all different lengths! Also to factor into this
was our decision to replace one of the replacement sections of one of the cornerposts using an offcut chunk from one of the
ex-Hellifield bracket signals. Next the base was lifted onto the blockwork and levelled up, before the top was later craned
back onto the base and carefully reattached.
