St. James Deeping Signal Box Restoration

[railnerd]

Hi.

Most signal box enthusiasts, like myself, are hyper aware of the plight of the former signal box at Deeping St. James. Actually, at the moment, it doesnt exist anymore! The box dating from 1876 is currently on various pallets (brick and bricks and more bricks) with an uncertain future.

However, over the past few days, news is getting around that the box will be rebuilt. It is uncertain where but it will be close to its original location, but unlikely to be close to Network Rail land.

The St. James Deeping SB fund currently has £20,000 to help with the rebuild. Of course, it will take a lot more than this to see it through. Please visit the link below to see more news on the project and if you have any input you wish to add about the box, please post them on here. Thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/supportoursignalbox?fref=ts

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

It's a shame Network Rail broke it up. That was unique in that the town's name was the wrong way round.

 

[lincolnshire]

It's a shame Network Rail broke it up. That was unique in that the town's name was the wrong way round.

Its Network Rails way of getting rid of the past swift and quickly a here today gone tomorrow attitude to stop things getting on the listed buildings register.

Old way of signalling etc leftovers is not good for the image on Network Rail.

 

[2010macjac]

As a committee member
I am happy to confirm that St James deeping signal box will be rebuilt the Peterborough side of the station building. fund raising is well underway and the public is taking a good interest In the project. The intention is to open as a heritage centre for the community and do demonstrations on signalling from the operating floor.

The box has been stored for us in Spalding but is heading back to deeping very soon.

You have already found our Facebook page, please support us in any way you can. I am personally looking for interia pictures of the box so I can start looking into what was missing when the box was removed (I know it was a lot).

Thanks for your interest in us so far John.

 

[John Webb]

As a committee member
I am happy to confirm that St James deeping signal box will be rebuilt the Peterborough side of the station building. fund raising is well underway and the public is taking a good interest In the project. The intention is to open as a heritage centre for the community and do demonstrations on signalling from the operating floor......

If you want some ideas about signalling demos, do come and see us at St Albans South where we've now had over 13,000 visitors through the box. We'll be happy to share our experiences. Open 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons 2-5pm.

 

[CarltonA]

It's good to see a few disused 'boxes gaining a new life. Here is another example:

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/new...mprovement_works_to_semi_derelict_signal_box/

I think the current plan is to use a separate signal cabin or groundframe to operate the layout when the Chinnor & Princes Risborough finally arrive at Prisbo. That way the North Box can be used for signalling demos and as a museum.

 

[2010macjac]

If you want some ideas about signalling demos, do come and see us at St Albans South where we've now had over 13,000 visitors through the box. We'll be happy to share our experiences. Open 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons 2-5pm.

That would be very helpful we will possibly take you up on that when we get to that stage of the rebuild.

Would anyone mind if I contnue posing updates on the end of this thread?

 

[John Webb]

That would be very helpful we will possibly take you up on that when we get to that stage of the rebuild.

Would anyone mind if I continue posing updates on the end of this thread?

Not at all - always nice to hear what others are up to! Just realised I should have mentioned our website which is http://www.sigbox.co.uk which has more detailed info re our open days.

 

[2010macjac]

Not at all - always nice to hear what others are up to! Just realised I should have mentioned our website which is http://www.sigbox.co.uk which has more detailed info re our open days.

Thanks very much you have a lovely box there!

 

[railnerd]

Hi.

2010macjac. I have hundreds of pix and dvd footage of SJD signal box. I also know people! If you wanna know more, PM me!

 

[CockneySparrow]

Its Network Rails way of getting rid of the past swift and quickly a here today gone tomorrow attitude to stop things getting on the listed buildings register.

Old way of signalling etc leftovers is not good for the image on Network Rail.

They have a very odd way of working with these disused boxes, some they demolish instantly while others they just leave like all boxes on the Ely to Norwich line are all still in place, the Kennet box went quickly, so did the Sleaford one, and others around Nottingham after the blockade, then there is the box in Lincoln next to the university that is still there

Seems to be no pattern to how they work

 

[ainsworth74]

Would anyone mind if I contnue posing updates on the end of this thread?

Please feel free to do so! A most worthy project

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
The remaining disused boxes on the joint line are serving a purpose.
Stow park, High st and Blankney are listed.
East Holmes was alledgedly going to a new home but that was several years ago. Sleaford north feeds the power to the new level crossing. Its alledged it will eventually have a new home.
The exception is Littleworth. Bereft of stairs it just sits there. There is nothing of note in it except the frame.
Personally, and without going into detail, i think the ely norwich boxes were saved due to a higher power.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Will the signal box in Spalding remain? I see it every Friday when I go and do my two hour volunteering shift at the local radio station but I never get the chance to get a photo of it.

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
You must be seeing ghost box! It was demolished several months ago :roll:

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
Ive been informed that most of the disected st james deeping sb that was in spalding yard, is now back in deeping st james.
Now begins the task of rebuilding. More information can be found on the sjd facebook page.
I, along with several other people, are now collecting as much information about the signal box and station area as possible. I have seen some of the photographic relics one of the commitee has. I was very impressed. If anyone out there has any other info or pics to add, please get in touch.

 

[CockneySparrow]

This might be a waste of time or not relevant but would this place be worth a visit

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/archives/about-the-archives/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just see this as well

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/residents/archives/events-gallery-and-document-of-the-month/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Events and Exhibitions

Exhibitions are open from 10.30 to 3.00pm on Fridays and Saturdays - Free Entry. No need to book unless otherwise stated.

Lincolnshire Archives Exhibition Programme 2015

Lincolnshire Railways II - 11-12 September 2015

Our 2009 exhibition on the history of the county’s railways was one of our most popular recent events, so after five years the time seems ripe for a second display of train-related documents. Lincolnshire Archives has acquired a considerable amount of railway material in recent months and many of these items will be on public display for the first time. The exhibition will include photographs of many classic locomotives, such as the record-breaking LNER A4 Class, the Class 55 “Deltics” and the InterCity 125 high speed trains. There will also be a chance for visitors to see railway maps, track plans, designs for station buildings, tickets and timetables.

 

[2010macjac]

More progress has been made

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/...-status-in-fight-to-save-signal-box-1-7089538

 

[2010macjac]

There is to be a public meeting held on the 14/10/16 at The Goat public house frognall just outside of deeping. The meeting will start at 7.30pm.

There is some very good news with regards the rebuild and we would be glad to see new faces and any questions will be gladly answered!

For anyone whom can't make it I will update hear as soon as I can thanks for all of your support so far. look forward to opening the door of the box once more!

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Thanks, will be interested in the update.

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
I hope to be there.

 

[2010macjac]

The public meeting when well on Friday, not many people made it but those who did where very enthusiastic. We had hoped to be announcing we have land purchased however on the Monday the solicitors put a spanner in the works saying we needed another surveyors report on the land. This will be at cost to us so in the meeting we appealed to everyone to recommend a surveyor, then out of nowhere the rt honerable John Hayes offered to pay the bill out of his own pocket!

He has been a supporter of our project from the very start and without his input we would not have come this far. So never let it be said polititions do nothing!

He also revealed a bright future for Britains transport heritage. I cannot reveal much more about that as I'm not sure how much more I am supposed to say but hopefully more heritage will survive than previously expected.

Land purchase for the building is very close now, once the surveyors report is complete land should change hands allowing us to start the rebuild. We are still in need of a project manager in the form of a builder but hope to find this soon.

New College Stamford are still taking a great interest in the project hoping to continue restoration work on the windows and are hoping to help with the brickwork when we are ready.

We have been taking closed bids on an abstract painting of the signal box. These bids were opened on Friday revealing the winning bid of £249.99. This will be a big help towards the remaining solicitors fees.

I thank you again for your support in this project.