Lynton & Barnstaple have acquired original Barnstaple Town signal box

[Future]

Former Barnstaple Town Signal box recovered for Blackmoor

The signal box that stood at Barnstaple Town station for the life of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway has been acquired by the L&BRT.

www.lynton-rail.co.uk

The box has been dismantled and is being relocated to Blackmoor. For now it will be displayed near the water tower, restored and fitted out with signalling equipment. When the trackbed is readied for the extension to Whistlandpound the box will be placed in the required location and returned to use.

The cladding needs some replacement and the sliding windows are in part missing but the structure is sound and in remarkably good condition for an item that has been standing outside for 126 years.

A remarkable survivor and we are very fortunate to have been allowed to bring it back to life.

Remarkable to see it still survives to this day. As the above quote says, the box will be used when the extension to Whistlandpound has been completed.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Where had it been since it was replaced by the current (closed) one?

 

[Future]

Where had it been since it was replaced by the current (closed) one?

I believe the box the L&B have acquired was being used as a summerhouse somewhere in Umberleigh

 

[Ashley Hill]

I believe the box the L&B have acquired was being used as a summerhouse somewhere in Umberleigh

Thanks. A remarkable survivor.

 

[david1212]

Where had it been since it was replaced by the current (closed) one?

Maybe I am wrong but logically the L&B had their own Barnstaple Town signal box not least as the LSWR / SR / latterly BR one would have had very limited view of the L&B platforms.

 

[Future]

A remarkable survivor.

Yes, I thought so myself. I was completely unaware it still existed until now, as a matter of fact.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Maybe I am wrong but logically the L&B had their own Barnstaple Town signal box not least as the LSWR / SR / latterly BR one would have had very limited view of the L&B platforms.

And here it is in situ.

Photo L&BR

 

[Gloster]

Maybe I am wrong but logically the L&B had their own Barnstaple Town signal box not least as the LSWR / SR / latterly BR one would have had very limited view of the L&B platforms.

The L&B had their own box from opening until becoming part of the SR. In 1925 the tablet instruments were transferred to the ex-LSWR box and slots fitted to the L&B signals; at about that time the box was reduced to a Ground Frame and remained so until closure.

Source: Railwest.

 

[david1212]

@Ashley Hill
@Gloster

Thank you both.

 

[Cowley]

And here it is in situ.
View attachment 146445
Photo L&BR

What a lovely photo.

 

[Wyrleybart]

What a lovely photo.

Agreed. I am assuming it is a colourised monochrome image. What is the large indusatrial building in the background ?

Thanks for posting

 

[Ashley Hill]

Looking at the 1914 OS map on the NLS website its possibly the flour mills on Rolle Quay.

 

[Gloster]

Agreed. I am assuming it is a colourised monochrome image. What is the large indusatrial building in the background ?

Thanks for posting

Based on the maps, probably Stanbury & Sons flour mills on Rolle Quay.

 

[DarloRich]

I believe the box the L&B have acquired was being used as a summerhouse somewhere in Umberleigh

really? It is great it has survived at all. Umberleigh was my nearest station when i lived in Devon.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I believe the box the L&B have acquired was being used as a summerhouse somewhere in Umberleigh

really? It is great it has survived at all. Umberleigh was my nearest station when i lived in Devon.

You may have unwittingly walked by it!

 

[DarloRich]

You may have unwittingly walked by it!

I may well have done! Some nice houses down there - although we were a couple of miles up the side of the valley