Restoration of the oldest working Signal Box in the world built in 1861 by the Stockton & Darlington Railway

Opened in 1861 as part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) empire to transport (i) coal and coke westbound to the blast furnaces in Furness & West Cumberland and (ii) iron ore eastbound to the blast furnaces on Teesside, the signal box was abandoned in 1889 as it was essentially considered too small for the railway operations at Kirkby Stephen East (KSE). It survived as a 'brew hut' used by the track gangs and was then largely demolished when the Stainmore route closed in 1962. Just the back wall and foundations remained. However, with generous financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and further assistance from both the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and The Ironmongers Company, it is being rebuilt to operational order largely by volunteers. Upon completion, our research has shown that it will be the oldest working signal box in the world.
In addition, an appropriate signalling system incorporating North Eastern Railway Central & Northern Division components is being recreated which has involved the manufacture of numerous patterns, castings etc.
This event will provide an opportunity to view the work in progress on site. There will also be a powerpoint presentation available in our Meeting Room which will describe (i) both the history of the signal box and the evolution of the mechanical signalling system at KSE and (ii) the research undertaken and the work involved in reconstructing the signal box along with the associated signals.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

10.15 11.00 11.45 12.30 13.15 14.00 14.45 15.30

Sunday 15 September:

10.15 11.00 11.45 12.30 13.15 14.00 14.45 15.30

Location & directions

Stainmore Railway Company Ltd., Kirkby Stephen East Station, South Road, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4LA

Directions:

We can be accessed using the A66 from Scotch Corner or from Junction 38 at Tebay on the M6 by following the A685. A66 route - turn off at the A685 marked Brough / Kirkby Stephen. Drive through Kirkby Stephen and we are immediately after the Croglin Castle apartments on the right-hand side. Tebay route - follow the A685 past Kirkby Stephen West station (Settle & Carlisle Railway) and turn left just after the railway bridge before the Croglin Castle apartments. There is a brown tourist sign opposite the entrance to the site. The Settle & Carlisle Railway has regular trains from Leeds / Skipton & Carlisle. It is a 20 minute walk to the site from Kirkby Stephen West.

Contact on day:

Mike Thompson

Telephone number:

+441768371700

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

At present, we are constructing a wheelchair-accessible footpath from the station to the signal box and footbridge that crosses the site. It is not yet clear if this will be completed in time for the Heritage Open Days event. Further details will be posted on our social media nearer the date. The powerpoint presentation describing the history of the signal box and the restoration work undertaken to date will be held in our Meeting Room which has full wheelchair access. This presentation will run on a loop and will be available throughout the weekend.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

12

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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