NER Northern Division Lattice Signals

This is a very challenging blog post to actually write, as there has been a lot of research and work that has turned up new aspects to the story. I shall try to put this together in the order in which we’ve discovered the details!

When planning out the scheme, we weren’t sure if the gantry would be able to feature in Phase 1; and upon learning it wouldn’t, we needed a signal to route trains into either the Tebay platform or the Bay platform. In amongst the equipment on site when we got involved was a selection of steel lattice posts (as an aside, there *were* wooden lattice posts trialled by the Midland Railway…). These were all North Eastern Railway, Northern Division signals, that had originally been on the Newcastle to Carlisle line. Brampton had been mentioned as their original location, but that was not important at this time.

Besides the three straight posts was a bracket signal, sat on top of the concrete sleeper pile, which looked to be a good bet; albeit requiring some considerable repairs as it had been chopped off above the ground and had one doll pruned. Eventually, in the overall scheme, the function of this signal will be replaced by dolls on the gantry, and a couple of alternative locations have been eyed up for its future use that are particularly in keeping with its
pedigree…

Overall view of the bracket looking from the bottom

All the lattice signals had been converted to being upper quadrant at some point in their past, and this was the initial thought for a temporary signal, as it would be in keeping with the site as a whole. However, at the top of one doll was the original spindle and arm weight of ND origin. In addition to this, we were very fortunate to acquire a selection of North Eastern Railway, Northern Division components which were suitable for either reuse or duplication.

As an aside here, we opted to retain components to use as patterns for future signals, as opposed to just using up original parts everywhere. The logic behind this was two-fold: firstly, if we used everything we had, we wouldn’t have any means of producing more components further down the line; secondly, the older castings are more fragile, so we could end up with nothing to show! The newer castings are more malleable, and can therefore stand up to the regular use.

Close up of the remaining NER ND arm and spindle

So, on to the structure itself! As I mentioned before, this signal was cut off somewhere above ground level when removed from service, so will require fabrication to build it back up to a suitable height.

The base of the post, showing the balance lever attached

There are also a few sections of the lattice dolls that require some steel replacing due to corrosion, although this is remarkably straightforward. Finally, the top of the (currently) shortest doll is missing, having been removed at some stage. This, too, will need replacing, which will then make the short doll the tall one!!

Close up of the truncated doll, showing the gap in the lattice on the side
for the lower arm, and the damage to the top

The first stage with the work to restore the post was to remove the dolls and landing from the rest of the bracket. Matt has taken on most of the challenge here! Whilst the individual assemblies that make up the different parts of the signal are riveted together, the different sections are then bolted together, thus allowing parts to be removed relatively easily, and without causing any damage to the rest of the structure.

Matt poses with the first doll to be removed.

Each doll is sat into the bracket itself, clamped between two short lengths of angle (one of which is riveted in place), and then each leg is held by two hooked bolts. So, to remove one doll, there are 10 bolts to undo. As luck would have it, these all came undone and are in great condition to reuse. They are an unusual shape, so would be more of a challenge to replicate (although we will need additional bolts to secure the castings later…), but fortunately have Whitworth threads which tend to stand the test of time far better!

A close up of the pocket in the bracket that supports the doll.
One hooked bolt can be seen.

Both dolls have now been removed successfully (20 bolts). This means they will be far easier to lift down from where they are, as well as being able to fit in a trailer to go away for the repairs and shotblasting.

Matt and Will pose with both dolls now removed successfully

Next up is the bracket part itself, which sits astride the main post. This is held in place with 28 bolts, and Matt has loosened them all. We will be replacing these as there is significant wastage. The surviving balance lever has also been taken off. This can be restored separately before being reinstated.

A close up showing how the bracket itself bolts to the main post.
The post is ready to be lifted down so it can be split.

I mentioned earlier that the research being done on this signal had gone into overdrive to try and get a better understanding of how it had looked originally. Having studied many photos of similar structures and not seen such a bracket at Brampton itself, I doubted the origin of the posts for a while. However, confirmation that they had come out in 2009 pointed towards Brampton Fell. Photos of the signals at Brampton Fell showed lattice posts that could match the ones at KSE, but the only bracket signal pictured was offset to one side, and not balanced.

A chance view of the box diagram for Brampton Fell showed the Distant signal (No.20) drawn as being a bracket signal, which seemed both unnecessary and worthy of further investigation.

Interior photo of Brampton Fell

Close up photo of the diagram.
Note the distant signal on the right hand side.

A ‘Driver’s eye view’ film along the Carlisle to Newcastle route came up trumps at this stage, and clearly showed a balanced bracket signal, with two dolls, one of which was still in use for a distant signal!

The signal in question.
Click here for timestamp on YouTube.

The footage continues, showing the next 3 posts which were also recovered to KSE!

The pair of signals here can be seen at the bottom of this blog post during recovery.
Click here for timestamp on YouTube.

This formerly had a distant arm underneath, for the next box along.
Click here for timestamp on YouTube.

Further studying of the captions accompanying the photographs of Brampton Fell threw up another name: Hell Beck signal box. During World War 1, the traffic levels along this route had been sufficient for loops to be put in between the existing Brampton Fell and a new box at Hell Beck to allow slower trains to be held to allow others to pass, thus increasing the capacity of the route as a whole. ‘Our’ bracket signal was formerly the signal at Hell Beck which controlled the divergence into the loop, or the continuation along the main line!

This revelation then opened up another channel of research via collections on Flickr and the NERA site, producing several shots which show the signal in full use, supporting Brampton Fell’s distant arm below the home arms of Hell Beck.

The signal in full use. This shot shows the original condition.

At some point there was a derailment at the points nearest our signal, which seems to have either spelled the end for the box of Hell Beck or taken place just after it was decommissioned: further research is required on this point.

The ‘piece de resistance’ came about in some old drawings I’d had passed on which showed various signals: I’d put them to one side as they seemed a pretty good representation of what our signal could have looked like. A return to these out of curiosity (having discovered the Hell Beck connection) brought a startling realisation. These drawings WERE our signals!! The first page covered Hell Beck, and the second, Brampton Fell, for the loops’ installation! So, we have details on the signals, including the height of the posts (which we weren’t sure of) and the date of the drawing itself for the order: 30th April 1918. Order Number Sig. 699.

'Our' bracket signal at Hell Beck.

The drawings for the signals at Brampton Fell.

So, we now have the dimensions we required to have the post put back the way it was originally built, as well as a fascinating insight to another piece of equipment that we hope will serve us for many years to come.

Removal of the signals at Brampton Fell.