GWSR Broadway Developments

I'm sure if you approach the board with the money you'll be well received. As it is both boxes serve a function. Part of the reason they look out of place is because of the internat stair cases, and this is mainly to prevent vandalism. Would you rather a vandalised heritage box or a smart looking slightly made up box. As it happens, it bothers very few of the volunteers that I know of, all of whome recognise compromises had to me made.

I don't think we need to go over signal boxes again, as @davidarnold says, lets get behind the Broadway share offer, we're a different railway now from what we were then.

 

Out of interest wasn't there an authentic GWR design that had an internal staircase? I seem to recall that the original box at CRC was one such and was wooden. Please correct me if mistaken.

 

Yes, the original box at Cheltenham Race Course was of entirely wooden construction with an internal staircase. It was demolished several years before the line closed, probably in the very late1960s. It had steel shutters to help protect it as it was normally locked out of use unless race specials were operating. I'm sure it would have been burned down had it remained. We were very lucky that the road level booking office survived as it too had been an attempted arson target on several occasions.

See this lovely colour image on the GWSR website with Clun Castle hauling the last steam hauled race special in 1968. Well, the last until the GWSR renaissance of course.
http://www.gwsr.com/about-us/history/on-this-day/12th-march-1912.aspx

Here is a link to Bentley Heath Crossing Signal Box which also appears to have an internal staircase.
http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbh23.htm

 

I don't think it's the internal staircase that makes the boxes look 'not quite right'

If you compare the Racecourse box then and now:


I think part of the issue is the colour of the stone? used for the base, the style of door, the undisguised security light, the steel looking corner posts, the plastic gutters, the lack of a chimney, the design of the roof, the shiny odd (modern) looking roof tiles, and there's something about the cladding and bargeboards that doesn't look quite right either (are they plastic?).

Now I realise that the Broadway extension is the priority for the next few years, however, if/when money became available (or if someone felt strongly enough to start a fund) then what could be done to make the boxes look more authentic?

1. Change door for more authentic style (even if it has steel backing for security purposes) Cost £
2. Change light for more suitable style. Cost £
3. Clad the corner posts with wood. Cost £
4. Change the roof to a hipped style in slate with a chimney. Cost £££
5(a). Investigate some form of dye to tone down the colour of the stone. Cost £
or
5(b). Remove the stone cladding and replace with red brick (assuming the box has an inner breeze block skin) Cost £££

I'm sure others may have ideas too, but I just thought it would be interesting to see what could be done to improve the appearance instead of just listening to people complaining! If a plan could be agreed, then it would be up to the complainers to put their money where there mouths are!


Keith

 

The Severn Valley Railway's 'box at Kidderminster, although built in the 80s, was built to an authentic GWR style, and that has an internal staircase.

 

Agree the signal boxes are for a time way in the future when funding, and the will to change them, may emerge. Hopefully they are a short term economy measure and the riches the Broadway extension provides can be spent on their refurbishment.

The problem with them is that in no one way do they resemble a GWR box. Neither in height, width, roof design, window design or finish materials. They are 21st Century anachronisms. So cosmetic changes won't work , it would be lipstick on a pig.

The cheapest answer would be to keep the inner structure that supports the frame and first floor and then buld an exterior in true GWR style to GWR dimensions with 3/2 windows, hipped roof, etc, in brick with an interior staircase. This would answer most of the anti vandal requirements.

The model could be Blue Anchor Signal Box which provides the above requirements.

But for now its Broadway and the Share issue, can't wait!

 

and looks 'right'!

Keith

 

Indeed. I'm no GWR signal box expert (although I'm sure some frequent Nat Pres) but the current CRC and Gotherington boxes don't seem to have an exact prototypical example. This link illustrates a box at Claverdon built in 1939 which was not too dissimilar though:
http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrc926.htm

Note that the window frames are not "3 up 2 down" as this was an earlier style (some early boxes didn't have them either), also the drainpipes perhaps detract from the structure's elegance (maybe not if you're a drainpipe spotter). So, in conclusion we might say that the Claverdon box is close, but no cigar.

 

If you extended the CRC box cladding around the side to effectively split the box into top and bottom sections (as seen on the Claverdon box in your link), then re-roofed with slate, added chimneys and an appropriate door then you'd be getting close! The colour of the stone would still be odd though


Keith

 

Actually I think you might have nailed it. The proportions are right , only a small box is needed after all, and it is undeniably GWR. Best of all it has brick base and wooden superstructure.

The existing box could have the exterior brickwork with the cut stone lintels and windowsills built around it whilst still being operational, and the wooden superstructure with slate tiles and GWR ventilators, could be built offsite then craned onto the prepared base that has had the top half of the existing box removed in the close season. The interior could then be finished off.

Cheaper than a new box built from scratch and less disruptive to operations.

 

Not sure if it has been mentioned before, but on Tuesday S&T installed the levers in the signal box, the link to their blog about this is:

http://gwsrsandt.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/tuesday-19th-jan-s-invade-broadway.html#comment-form

It looks great and is another step towards the eventual opening at Broadway. A Station Master has also been appointed, but sorry, can't remember his name!

 

I have a sneak preview of the levers in the frame for you, in the setting sun today. Looks just like the real thing. Well, it will be the real thing, this will be a working box.

There is a large pile of painted signal posts waiting at Winchcombe, including another bracket signal post.

Today, in warmer weather, good steady progress was made with the block laying around the footings, with 3 brick layers on the job. The blockwork is now complete on 3 of the 4 sides, being the platform side and the two ends. A bit more ballast and sand is needed in the last two rooms (toilets), then we are ready for the damp proof membrane and concrete to achieve floor level.

All the hardwood windows are on site and are being primered, quite a long job as there are lots of them.

 

Excellent! Has anyone had a play yet?

 

The Monday gang was at work again today. All efforts were directed at block laying, now on the station drive side of the building. At the end of the day a row had been laid from one corner to the other, and the southern end had several courses already laid by the cafe. The first row is always the hardest, as you have to work round the stanchions and the service ducts poking out. Five more pallets of blocks were delivered, so there is plenty of supply there to get in a couple of rows on Wednesday, maybe even finish the job.

While this was going on, the digger and the dumper excavated the site of the platform 2 footbridge tower foundations. Two original feet remained in this, their top edges twisted as witness to their bulldozing (rather than cutting) in 1963.
The hole is now fully excavated, and on Wednesday the shuttering will go in so that concrete can be poured asap.
Shotblasting and repair of the HIA centre span is due to start within a week or so. New towers are on their way so that we will be able to erect towers and centre span, we hope, by the end of March, to coincide with the launch of the share issue. The manufacture of new steps still awaits funding.

The last picture shows one of our younger members breaking up the lump that surrounded one of the original feet. Apparently he didn't wash his shovel very well last time....

 

Super work. May have to reset some platform edging slabs though!

 

The new station master will be Roger Wyton, he visited last Saturday.

 

This has probably been covered in the thread recently (so apologies from me) but when is the new station likely to open to traffic?

I visited the fleshpots and tourist traps of Broadway a few years back, do I remember right that the station is a 5 - 10 minute walk from the town centre?

Looking forward to my next visit already....

 

Will depend on how well the forthcoming share issue is, I suppose. The intention is to open for the 2018 running season.

Not sure exactly how long it would take to walk to Broadway from the station, probably more like 15-20 minutes, depending on how fit you are. I believe its approx 1 mile, but others may be able to give more accurate information.

There are currently working parties on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays and the viewing platform is usually open then (not sure about Mondays) and our shop is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and well worth a look into and any money spent helps us towards that opening date!

 

Sounds like there might be an opening there for someone to run a vintage coach or bus shuttle service twixt Broadway and the station on summer weekends. Might make a bob or two (or at least help to defray the ownership costs for an enthusiast) and add an extra travel attraction.

 

I believe the council are already looking at some sort of bus service between the station and Broadway. I was under the impression the distance wasn't too bad, certainly better than the Winchcombe station to Winchcombe distance! I would be surprised if we weren't operating to Broadway for the beginning of 2018 given that we've been suggesting that date for a while now and things are moving into place, but how developed the actual station will be will depend on the successfulness of the share issue. I'm encouraged that Monday working is now a regular feature at Broadway, as I must admit I was wondering if two days a week would be quite enough (not to take away from the amazing work already taken place of course).

I think the plan is that the main station building will be complete along with footbridge, but P2 waiting room probably not. Various "extra" details like the various cast iron detaisl like fencing and posts I guess would mostly depend on money raised as they are more money than time intensive compared to laying bricks if you see what I mean.

Interesting to note I presume Roger Wyton will be a permanent stationmaster, as opposed to the chop and change roster system currently in use along the rest of the railway?