Media centre

Tuesday 25 Jan 2005

NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR HISTORIC SIGNAL BOX

The Grade II listed signal box at Appleby, on the historic Settle to Carlisle railway line, has been refurbished by Network Rail at a cost of £75,000. Gary Openshaw, Network Rail’s area general manager said: “Now we have a signal box that complements the station it sits alongside, rather than being the poor relation. Both reflect the heritage that is so characteristic of this line.” The six-month project, completed before Christmas, included a new toilet building, constructed to blend in with the main signal box. The signal box itself had completely new window frames, manufactured to match the original but with the addition of double glazing, and two of the structural corner posts of the box had to be replaced. New doors also matched the originals and the outside was covered in new shiplap cladding and facia. The roof was finished off with new finials and bargeboards. The high level gantry and walkway outside the signal box were extended and an additional railing was installed, both to allow safe access round the box. Finally, the building was redecorated to complete the project.