Tuesday 5th Aug
Another visit to Broadway to wake the signals up from their long slumber!
So armed with oil can cans and any necessary tools we started at the north end and worked our way back to Childswickham bridge (stopping for a coffee at the station cafe on the way)
Firstly the direction indicator signal
And the adjacent ground signal , making sure that all moving parts were well oiled and moving smoothly.
And then down to the station
So far everything is working well.
South of the station the bracket with the single doll was next
And opposite is the wooden post starter signal. The woodwork appears to be in good condition - even the sealant where the post sits in its metal "boot" is in good order and is keeping water from seeping in
All the pulley wheels guiding the signal wires across under the tracks are working freely
Then the bracket signal with the call-on arms. Neil C doing all the up top work with the rest of us pulling signal wires and hoisting balance weights several times to make sure the oil was well worked in
And to Childswickham bridge (missed taking a picture of the signal here).
Curly
So glad to see that all the signals are fully operational. Looking forward to seeing them at work controlled from the box.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick question, if I may.
could you tell me what is the reason that an acceptance lever is going to be used rather than electric token between Broadway and toddington? Someone mentioned, (can't remember who). that it was because the loco heading north from Toddington would be a long way from the box. I would have thought the could have been overcome by a driver operated slave unit on Toddington north end platform, released from the box. Maybe too much work or money involved to do that?
Great blog and pictures.
Regards, Paul.
Yes, it's because Toddington box is 100 yard or so the wrong end of the platform. The training etc involved in a remote Driver operated unit, coupled with having to build a structure to house it in, makes track circuit block much simpler. The track circuits have been in and working reliably for five years now.
DeleteGiven that the loop extension at Broadway is unlikely to happen any time soon, would it not be a good idea to remove the unused doll on the Platform 2 Starting Signal there? It looks a bit pointless and reminds me of the layout reductions in so many places in BR days.
ReplyDeleteThat's why we left it like that. It's prototypical for an ex BR line.
DeleteWouldn't it be better to leave things as planned and fund raise for the loop extension now that the box is opening - retain the flexability for the future....
ReplyDeleteThe cost of putting in that loop, coupled with the additional work, makes that a real vanity project. We have no real use nor requirment for it.
Delete