Poulton No 3 Signal Box.

Came across this on the Poulton-le-Fylde Historical and Civic Society.

In essence, Poulton No 3 Signal Box faces demolition by NR but, if the information is up to date, the application currently stands withdrawn.

"COMMENTS FROM POULTON & WYRE RAILWAY SOCIETY to POULTON HISTORICAL & CIVIC SOCIETY

The signal box could form an integral part of the heritage railway the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society would like to develop between Poulton & Fleetwood. As a group we are not yet in a position to fund the retention of the box and would expect Network Rail to secure it for in the short term.

It is vital that the original internal fittings remain in place, as the lever frame is a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway structure, built at Horwich works (near Bolton) This is completely original and in immaculate condition and should not be allowed to leave Poulton Le Fylde.

I would go so far as to say there is nothing mechanical left from the Victorian era in the local area that comes close to its authenticity.

If funding could be secured in the short term, the PWRS could develop a small museum inside the signal box based around the lever frame.

Just to clarify, there will be nothing left of this type of signalling equipment on the Fylde coast if Network Rail are allowed to demolish the Signal box."

Must admit that I've never heard of the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society.

The Poulton Historical and Civic Society is suggesting, that pending the revised planning application being submitted, individuals submit their concerns directly to Network Rail regarding the historical importance of preserving the structure.

Does anyone have a photo of No. 3?

 

Two photos from the Geograph website - click on the pictures to go to the original larger ones:
Poulton Signal Box

© Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Poulton No.3 Signal Box

© Copyright JThomas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

I appreciate (only too well!) the attraction of signal boxes and suspect that the principal limitation for this one would be access - here's a view taken two months ago of the now dismantled junction from a nearby bridge:
Former junction at Poulton le Fylde

© Copyright Ian Taylor and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The box is close to the remaining line in use, and may well be too close both for electrification equipment and for subsequent renovations that would be needed if it were preserved. There would appear to be room to move the box back some feet towards the ex-Fleetwood lines, but that sort of move would be expensive. Perhaps build a new brick base and move the whole top section? Best wishes to them anyway.

John Webb (St Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust)

 

Thanks for that. With such proximity to a 'running line', I can't imagine NR giving permission for any Heritage group to move in and remove it piece by piece.

Seems a shame to lose it.

 

I would have thought a fence skimming the track-side wall of the box and only allow access from the rear would allow the box to be carefully stripped out from inside. Then a subsequent possession to allow the timber top to be craned off, again from the rear.

 

I assume that the interlocking mechanism is in the lower part of the box, so you would need to probably proceed by building a new brick lower half, craning off the top with the lever frame and depositing it to one side, craning out the interlocking and placing in the new lower half and then putting the top onto the new base. Preparations for this would not be easy as the top would probably need some form of framework round it to stabilise it and give lifting points, and that would need a possession - all in all a pricy business. At my own preserved box (see www.sigbox.co.uk) there had been a siding in front of the box separating the box from the Down Fast line; by the time we took on the box in 2006 the siding was long gone and so a fence could be erected on the site of the siding to give us protected access around the box.
Looking at maps of the area, access, even with the box shifted away from the lines still in use, doesn't look particularly easy.