Kidderminster Railway Museum - Wrangaton Signal Box

Taken from www.krm.org.uk

If anyone can help please contact the museum


Wrangaton Shopping List



As we progress towards the finishing straight on the box, we find there are odd bits which we never had when we recovered the structure, and we have not been able to source them elsewhere as yet. Hence a plea to the big world out there to see if you can help us. This shopping list might grow on a regular basis as we discover items that are missing, so keep looking in case you are able to help us!

1. Diagram Frame
If you have a spare GWR diagram frame to fit a diagram of 38" x 15", we would love to hear from you. The diagram and frame were missing when we took the frame out of Bersham Sidings, so although we can re-draw the diagram (unless someone has the original which they would consider letting us have!), we would like a genuine GWR frame for it to sit above the block shelf.

2. Lever leads
If you are the person, or know of the person, who has the original lever leads from the box frame at Bersham Sidings, we would love to hear from you for two reasons - firstly to see whether you would be willing to re-unite the leads with the levers after all these years, and secondly, if not, to check that if we have new ones made, that we have made them with the correct inscriptions. There are 17 in all, some of them with just the number number but some with pull sequences also inscribed. The lever frame had a back board, which amazingly survived and which we have.

3. Door lock. We have just hung the main entrance door in the lobby, and unfortunately there is no GWR signal box lock to go with it - this is the lock box which took a standard key which opened every box on the system - so there must be a few lying about in various attics and garages. We were given one only a few weeks ago from Bentley Heath box, but unfortunately, it is only when you are trying to fit these things that you realise that they are 'handed', and of course we have the wrong hand! The door opens outwards, and is hinged on the left hand side if that helps you identify which hand is yours - but if in doubt, please get in touch, and we can compare it with the one we have. If you are willing to part with it, we would be very grateful - we have GWR standard signal box keys, but no lock mechanism to go with them. This item has now been acquired - many thanks - and is now fitted to the door.

4. Window catches. We have six pairs of windows, and no window catches. They had all gone by the time we demolished the box, so we are looking for six GWR window catches (both the lever and the keep).

5. Detonator placer. We have the chevron lever in the box, and the round rodding to connect, but what we do not have is the fitting which is attached to the rail. How many hundreds of these were disposed of, either as a box closed, or detonators went out of fashion? Have you got one in your shed for which you are looking for a good home? Please! A photograph of what we want is on page 105 of Adrian Vaughan's book 'A Pictorial Record of Great Western Signalling'. We have now acquired one, but could do with another if anyone can help, please.

4. Stove. We currently have a Romesse stove in the box, which is very good and helps to keep the chill out of the place whilst we are working. However, what we would really like to install is one of the early GWR stoves which appears in their catalogue which looks something like this -



So if you have one of these lurking in the depths of your garage, attic or lounge, and you have no use for it, or would like to see it in a traditional home, then please let us know.

5. Base for level crossing wheel. You learn a lot when you are building a signal box. We have a GWR gate wheel to put into the box. Now we are nearly ready to install it, we find that when they were originally fitted, they had a cast-iron base on which they sat. It makes sense really because as the wheel stands at the moment, the handles would dig into the floor as the wheel is turned, but the casting raises the wheel sufficiently above the floor for this not to happen. So if anyone out there has a casting like the one illustrated, we would love to hear from them - even if to make a pattern and have a new one cast. The GWR casting number is T32, and the whole assembly, as illustrated below, is T11.




Thank you