Recreating Leek station signal box

Curve ball spotted by Fruit!



doesn’t appear to be a back window! ??

 

Later this aft I drew up the telephone. That was some work drawing up the handset. All good fun and it’s only just over 4mm high.



we’re still trying to work our locations. We’re sticking with the back window after finding photo evidence of a bracket and walk board, which, as Paul said, there would be no reason to have if there wasn’t a window.



Belfast sink now in, and the blue square is a storage box uncoloured.

 

Now for those following this “saga” tale of recreating a signal box that went nearly 50 years ago.. it took another twist yesterday.
My fellow signalling friend Nick, messaged me yesterday with another photo. It was one we all had, yet zoomed in highlighted some wonderful details such as a thermometer hanging up, a small gutter and drain over a door, a coat hanging up on the doorway and behind..... another window!!!

Discussing with our group there was initial bemusement, confusion and maybe even denial, yet studying the photo would say, yes there was! So in just 48 hrs we had gone from 1 rear window to we’re not sure there was one as we can’t see it in a video to there being 2 windows... we still haven’t located the illusive holy grail of a photo of the rear yet, but we live in hope..



So in this video still there should be a window in the back corner, but all we can see is what appears to be a cupboard and Belfast sink.


This was the photo that set the cat amongst the pigeons. !!
Note the thermometer (spotted by Yorkie - I couldn’t work out what it was till he said) above the hand rail.
But look in the window of the door. Clearly a coat hanging and then behind it - the outline of a window frame!


Leek Station signal box is what I’d say was a minority of NSR boxes in having the LMS style walk boards on the outside. We hadn't noticed till closer inspection that in this photo if you look to the left of the porch, there is apparent another bracket and board... why if there wasn’t a window? Probably because it was pointing to there being one. A conversation with a chap who’s dad was signalman in this box confirmed he did used to look out the window and watch locos shunt to the rear.. but he was only 9 at the time.. well, most of this is based on historic photos and testing folks grey cells, it was gone before I was born, or even visited the area, so I’m not going to criticise if I get the odd red herring.
And yes, 2 photos from the other end do confirm a window at that end too!

 

The next step was to translate this to the model. Didn’t take me long as some parts are simply “copy and paste” (don’t you wish you could do that in modelling sometimes?)



Now as soon as you add in a window it means things have to “shuffle around” at around the same time 2 photo references of a similar Ford Green box showed I had the roof spreader beams in the wrong place. They were moved outwards to the correct location, which then changed where the stove could have gone. This was moved from the centre by about 2 1/4 feet. We’re still debating if the sink was in front of the window, and think that’s probably the case.

from the north end. You can see the walk ways on both sides as is apparent in one of the old photos.

So with the window in, the back takes on a completely different (and somewhat ugly) look.



It’s not pretty, but until we find that rear side photo, it’s the best we can come up with the memories of some fine gents and photographic research..

(at this time I’d like to thanks Yorkie and Fruit who have been my main sounding boards on its development, offering personal memories, advice and criticism where needed along with some banter.)

Now we have the externals mainly done, I’ll finalise the internals. Many new bits to draw up, such as a chair and complete the locker I’ve started. Then modify the cabinet already there. Some other new items missing will be a clock, also some signal wire tensioners.

I’m sure at this point I’m still missing something off the locking shelf now we have the phones etc added.. I’ll await Mr Brooks yet again being my guide, for which I’m most grateful.

oh, I almost forgot. A final shot of the toilet block and lamp room.

 

Couldn’t have done it without you Paul!
It’s your knowledge of many of the other bits, such and lever colours/functions, signalling and even daft things such as how big a window pane of glass was all goes a long way to making a model look correct, even if it’s still not 100% perfect.

 

Thanks Toto.

 

Many thanks Kimbo!

 

Cheers Pete.

 

Last night after the kids had gone to bed I sat.. for ages I’ve been trying to get artwork (such as jpegs or Bitmaps) to import but it appears it’s just not possible.
I wanted to add that bit of detail again for the computer that you just don’t see again. Starting from scratch, I wanted to add the dials and needles for the absolute block instrument. As can be seen, it looks a little bare with just the white panel. (Ignore the Bardic lamp, that’s just for fun and didn’t make Leek as far as we know)




I’m quite pleased with this. (It’s behind glass too to give the shine) and I even put the name of the box to which it refers.



I also decided to pull a few levers (but apparently I need to pull some more!)

I need to remove one of the phones.
And that’s you up to date. It’s nearly time to start “packaging” the items up ready for printing. It’s been a really fun project to do, to research and also learn, I’m still learning!!
There may be a bit more to add to the story prior to the model arriving, if so, I’ll keep you all posted!

 

Still plenty on the to do list, especially with the O gauge box details.

Would there have been a cast private sign on the door?

Also need to finalise the shelf. Some confusion now over those black box repeaters. (As to how many are needed).

 

Well, I’ve had one reply I wanted, which was from a signalman who worked nearby boxes to Leek and is very knowledgable on the subject (and still in the trade).

He has confirmed I had too many track circuit dials and also that instead of the two towers of light repeaters, I only needed one (but double stacked) at the left hand side.


So we have gone from this...



to this!


I’m quite liking this cross section box. It’s great for display of how it all looked! (This was taken pre the edit of the right hand items being removed!)

now working on a track layout board for the back of the box.. now that may take some doing!

then it’s back to moving the other fixtures and fittings.

7-5-5

andy

 

Ok. I was thinking of one for the O gauge model but will leave it off.