KSE Signalling Project

As the heavens opened this afternoon, we were busy removing the cat ladders from the roof after installing and pointing the last of our ‘wavy’ ridge tiles. I say ‘wavy’ because these tiles, salvaged from the Waiting Shelter at Barras station some 17 years ago, have a unique history. Originally made in 1861, they were entirely hand-crafted, resulting in variations in almost every dimension. Coupled with the firing techniques of the time, this produced tiles that were anything but straight! The signal box is now, at last, completely watertight. This milestone enables John Paul to move forward with boarding out the rafters inside, fitting the wide window ledges all around, and installing a floor. These tasks mark significant progress in transforming the space. Meanwhile, Tim and the signalling squad are hard at work, eager to begin installing the frame and levers they have so skillfully refurbished. This effort also includes assembling all the associated hardware in the locking room. Ther...

We’ve just had a very busy 4 days, in conjunction with track modifications and with great support from Lampitt Rail Services. In that time, we have successfully planted 5 signal posts, dismantled a crossover and moved the components to their new locations, ready for reinstatement. Lots more has gone on at the same time, in the background, that will appear in future posts. This entry looks at the signal post planting… Teamwork with the spoons: making adjustments to the hole for No.4 signal Still more to dig out ... Battling the ground foe the fixed stop signal Trying to get the last bits out of the bottom Swallowed by the ground, or the mole returning home? (Don't worry - this was posed!) Well, you can’t plant a post without preparing the ground for it first. So the Moles of Kirkby Stephen were at it again! The locations for the posts and the depths of the holes depended upon a fair few factors, such as visibility of the signals, distances from the track and pointwork they are prote...

You may remember that we've been having various castings made for NER CD signal components, frame components, NER ND lattice parts and block shelf brackets. These have now been completed, and machining is well underway. On the CD signal component machining, the spectacles and back blinds have now been completed: these are now ready for painting! The spindles are almost complete, and the other parts just require holes drilling. Some of these are easy, some are causing a bit of head scratching, as they fit onto a tapered post, therefore require drilling at a corresponding angle to the taper. The carefully aligned key way in one of the backblinds The stack of spectacles>  **probably worth cropping down a bit! Are these the first NER CD components to be cast in over 120 years? The new grids for the top of the lattice posts: these hold the corners of the posts in position and support the finials on top One of the lever pivot supports was missing from the kit of parts. A replacement h...