Shillingstone Signal Box

getting to the beam for the frame, i know this can cost some and youre trying to be as authentic as possible so maybe a leaf from sleeper monsters exploits here are worthy of note, look around for buildings being demolished,see if you can get the timbers,theyre very good for waggons and s n t stuff too,sleepermonster will tell you more about this line of enquiry!!!

 

How much did the token instruments cost? (Think they're Tyers by the way).

 

Neil,
sorry for the delay in replying. The Tyers Number 6 tablet machines cost £250 (private sale) and £360 (ebay). The former machine is up and working and undergoing cosmetic restoration. The ebay purchased one needs a few missing bits to sort (not a huge issue) before cosmetic restoration. In short, a lot cheaper than the £3000 that had been quoted for a working pair elsewhere.
The box is externally complete, we have all the fittings for the interior; it's just some internal panelling to sort and it's good to go.
More piccies soon!
All the best,

Tobes

 

Just seen the article in the latest edition of steam railway - the box is looking great. It's brilliant that another slice of S&D history is being put back into place!

 

Many thanks for your kind comments and I'll try and post some inside shots now that the interior panelling is fettled. The main focus has been the track and we hired a load of plant last week to grade and level the entire track bed through the Station right to the southern (Blandford) end of our site. Just waiting on 2 lorry loads of base ballast to be delivered and spread and then it's time to drop a few hundred sleepers and a few hundred feet of track.
More later...

All the best,

Ralph

 

Lots of activity at Shillingstone. Updates on their new website - http://www.shillingstone-station-project.co.uk/news.htm

 

Looking super - will be great when all finished. I can't wait to see the finished work!!

 

Keep up the momentum, you're doing really well.

Dave

 

I have always believed that the S&D was one of the heritage railway movement's "lost opportunities" and that it should have been fought for in the 1960s instead of being allowed to disappear. Of course, many people did fight for it but 1966 was a totally different world and there wasn't the money available nor the heritage interest that we now have. How wonderful it is then to see such rapid developments at Shillingstone to put a bit of the real S&D. Of course, there is also brilliant work being done at Midsomer Norton, the Gartell Light Railway and at Midford so it would seem that at least some parts of the beloved S&D are coming back; well done Shillingstone! That which was lost is now found.

 

Great to see the track being laid,and the signals being installed .
Look forward to visiting next year.

Keith

 

Check out page 67 of "Steam in England" by Dick Riley. You can see how good a job they are doing.