Springfield Works Salwick Preston

[Sox]

Some years ago I visited the signal box adjacent to the above. At the time, there was still a (functional) passing loop and the signalman said he would send the odd train down there "to keep the weeds down".

You can see from Google Earth that NR have now done quite a bit of improvement work in the area, including the provision of a metalled access road and what look like signalling equipment cubicles.

From older OS maps, at one time there appears to have been quite an extensive rail network servicing the plant.

Out of curiosity, if anyone can help, just a couple of questions:

• Is the signal box still functional?
  
• When did the plant lose its original rail connection and what was the rationale being this decision?

 

[driver9000]

Salwick No.2 signal box is still very much alive and kicking.

I'm not sure when BNFL ended the rail service to Springfield I think it may have been about 10 years ago around the time Burn Naze tanks ended. The groundframe and trackwork within the complex are all now lifted but the loop is still there and is still available to be used if necessary. An occasional empty DMU gets sent through it to clean the rust off the rails.

 

[Sox]

Salwick No.2 signal box is still very much alive and kicking.

I'm not sure when BNFL ended the rail service to Springfield I think it may have been about 10 years ago around the time Burn Naze tanks ended. The groundframe and trackwork within the complex are all now lifted but the loop is still there and is still available to be used if necessary. An occasional empty DMU gets sent through it to clean the rust off the rails.

Cheers, I remember visiting Burn Naze in the very late 90s and seeing the vinyl trains. All gone now I suppose (I mean the plant not the track).

 

[Whistler40145]

Isn't Salwick No.2 Box the Fringe Box connecting Kirkham & Wesham Box with Preston Power Box?

Please correct me if I have got it wrong.

 

[driver9000]

Yes it is the fringe to Preston. The next box towards Blackpool is Kirkham North Junction, the first Kirkham signal on the Down is just beyond Salwick platform.

 

[Whistler40145]

Is it the intention of Network Rail to close all boxes and transfer control to Preston Power Box in readiness for Electrification?

 

[umontu]

Cheers, I remember visiting Burn Naze in the very late 90s and seeing the vinyl trains. All gone now I suppose (I mean the plant not the track).

Most of the track round there is the same as it was in 1999 when freight stopped, however the ICI plant has gone as far as I know and is a housing development *, getting to there from Poulton would be a nightmare now plants and trees have overgrown the line south of Thornton, as I found out today .

* I've not made it up that far yet, but this what I've heard.

TimSYoung40145 that's what I've heard also.

 

[driver9000]

Is it the intention of Network Rail to close all boxes and transfer control to Preston Power Box in readiness for Electrification?

Anything relating to signal box closures/transfer of control has not been published or even finalised as far as I'm aware. Certainly nobody involved with operating the Fylde lines has mentioned anything about the future of the signalling or any changes that would occur with electrification. Any talk of signal boxes being closed is rumour and speculation at the moment. The abolition of Blackpool North No.1 had been on the cards long before electrification was announced as it was switched out in 2007.

 

[Whistler40145]

Thanks for this info driver9000, much appreciated.