Gotherington Signal Finished

 Yesterday a slightly depleted gang of Neil C, Peter B, John P and John B went to Gotherington with a truck loaded with signal parts.  We started at the top of Signal G3's new post, fitting the pivot casting and plunger casting, Neil and Peter on the scaffolding, John P fixing parts to the rope as required and John B keeping lookout and passing over parts when needed.  We then fitted the spec plate, lamp casing, lamp back blind, signal arm, and then hung the down rod from the spec plate, finally fitting the finial before moving to the bottom of the post.  At the bottom we offered up the balance weight casting and arm to the down rod and clamped that to the post, then fitted the signal wire angle crank and short connecting wire.  Finally we fitted a down rod guide half way up the down rod.  The operating part of the signal was now complete.  There then followed a quick partial dismantling of the scaffold and wait for the next train to pass, before we offered the ladder up through the scaffold.  The ladder turned out to be exactly the right length, so the ladder bracket and hoop were fitted just below the top fittings and the ladder foot buried in the ground.  We finally dismantled and cleared away the scaffold.  

Unfortunately the wooden post had a wheel and sling at the base rather than the angle crank now fitted and we didn't have enough signal wire with us, nor the correct thimble and shackle, to replace the sling and fully reconnect the signal to the box, therefore we temporarily fixed the signal off (Gotherington Box currently being switched out).  The signal wire and lamp cable will be fitted by Neil C in the near future, to bring the signal fully back into service.

Peter B takes a selfie as Neil C leans on the signal spec plate.

John B, John P and Neil C by the completed signal.