Signalbox rebornas a bird hide and rail viewing point
ASIGNALBOXinPeterboroughhasbeen reconstructedonits original site– albeit to suit its contemporaryrole asavisitor facilityadjacent tothemainlines to LondonandEly.
Nene Junction signalbox is the latest attraction at the Railworld Wildlife Haven. Locatednext to city’s Nene Valley Railway ( NVR) terminus on the site of the ex 1885 LNWR locomotive shed, the northernhalf of the site across the River Nene occupies the former coal storage yard whichonce servedPeterborough Power Station that was locatedonwhat is today an Asda supermarket.
Attractions at the volunteer- run Railworld site include a nature reserve, model railways, gardens, exhibitions and railway relics. Full- size exhibits include Danish Pacific Vauclain compound No. 996.
Background
TheoriginalNeneJunction signalbox that was locatedat today’sRailworld sitewas aMidlandRailway ( MR) companytype4d design. ClosedonJune25, 1972, the ’ box wasdonatedtoPeterboroughRailway Society, which subsequentlybecame theNVR.
“We dismantled it, but unfortunately, it was too rotten to save. The frame was rescued and used at OrtonMere on the NVR,” said Railworld WildlifeHaven trustee Brian Pearce.
“After the ’ box base was included in the land acquired for Railworld, we used it to store compost. More recently, a number of volunteers suggested that it could be re- created, but with the ground floor used as a store and upstairs as a birdhide and main line railway viewing platform.
“UK Steel Distributor– A1 Steel Ltd, designed, installed and donated the steel framework and Perkins Engines kindly agreed to support the Wildlife Haven and £ 2000 for woodwork.
“We examined photographs of the original structure and we adapted the design touse modernmethods and materials.
“Railcam has installed a camera on it, which looks towards Crescent Bridge. We’ve now got three cameras from Railcam on our site.”
Brian added:“Plans are also afoot to install a screen in the ’ boxwith a live feed showing what’s happening on the main line rail network around Peterborough. The feedwill show where the trains are, where they’ve been and where they’re going.
“For example, visitors could see that the LNER Azuma passing before their eyes is travelling from King’s
Cross to Edinburgh. To add further interaction, we would like install a small lever frame. If anyone is aware of one in need of a new home – a ground frame with twoor three levers will do – I would be delighted tohear from them.
Educational resource
“Out of the ’ box’sotherwindows, visitors can see the birdfeeding stations– another valuable educational resource. Italso includes anoutside viewing platform.
“The ’ box has been built over the past year and is now ready to welcome visitors when we reopen on Saturday, July 4. We’re opendaily during the school holidays.”
In a separate development, Railworld has assembled a display of boundary posts for companies which once servedPeterborough.
“With the city being a junction on the rail network, it was and is served by a number of different railway companies,” said Brian.
“Our collection of boundary posts includes one each for the Great Northern, the London& North WesternRailway, the Midland Railway and the Midland& Great Northern Railway. The only one we’remissing to complete the set isaGreat Eastern example. Wewould love to hear from any Heritage Railway reader who would be happy todonate one to us.” ➜ Railworld isofferinganumberof whatare believedtobeLNERcarriage seatsquabs toafellowheritage rail organisation.
“Weunderstand theycame froma coachwhich crashed at Connington onMarch5, 1967,” said Brian.“The carriage was cut up on the spot and seats were due to be burned. However, a local bystander couldn’t bear that thought and saved themin his garage and donatedthem to us.
“Thereare 22 first and six second class seats – they’re old horse hair. We feel theywould be more suited in a restored LNER coach.”
Email Brian Pearce at pearce_ brian_ t@ ntlworld. comor telephone 07746 922707.