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Axminster Crossing Box Rescued

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009.

  1. ChrisP

    ChrisP New Member

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    15 years in construction management, work for Huns
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    I am pleased to announce that after a year of planning and a very hot three days of work, we have successfully rescued the former LSWR Crossing Keeper's Box at Axminster gGtes. The structure would have been demolished otherwise to make way for improvements in connection with re-doubling of part of the Waterloo - Exeter line.

    I will be re-erecting the structure on a private site in the area. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has photos or information about the box. I would be particularly interested to know about the interior fittings, type of frame, gate gear and who built it and even when! Also if you know of someone who worked the box in its heyday (before the CCTV crossing was installed) I would be most keen to meet them and show them around!

    For more information please go to my website: http://www.tir-ltd.co.uk/news/ and make contact through the links there - if you are in the area and fancy giving us a hand, the drop a line!

    Regards

    Chris Phillimore
     
    ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009
    #1
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Firstly congratulations and I wish you well with the project

    I'm sure you have Main line to teh west vol 3 Yeovil to Exeter , by John Nicholas and George Reeve Pub Irwell Press 2008 , where on pages52-53 are two pictures and a little history
     
    Sidmouth, Jun 1, 2009
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  3. ChrisP

    ChrisP New Member

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    Hi

    Thanks for the infromation - who publishes that - I have the MP slim one but that does not have any photos.
    Book says that route was doubled by 1870 - do I assume the box dates from then or later?

    Regards

    CP
     
    ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009
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  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Sidmouth, Jun 1, 2009
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  5. ChrisP

    ChrisP New Member

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    Hi

    Thanks for the info guys - much appreciated. i think I will get in touch with our friends down at Beer...

    With regards to the name - Castle refers to Castle Hill (which is the public Highway that crosses the road) The LSWR seem to have called all their crossings 'Gates' or is this not an LSWR specific Term?

    Regards
     
    ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009
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  6. ernestgew

    ernestgew Member

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    Glad to see that another piece of railway history has been saved. Do you plan to set the box up with a working frame etc?
     
    ernestgew, Jun 1, 2009
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  7. NDTSDN

    NDTSDN Part of the furniture

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    NDTSDN, Jun 1, 2009
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  8. ChrisP

    ChrisP New Member

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    Yes neil that is useful - thanks very much . I see that it was drawn recently - i don't suppose the original archive holds and actual artifacts - or photos (especially)

    Regards
     
    ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009
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  9. ChrisP

    ChrisP New Member

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    well yes of sorts (and I can hear the puists screaming already!) I have a small 16mm garden railway, which my kids (40, 10, 8 & 7 love playing with - the plan is to have it run out of a station in the box after modification. I have a 2 lever GW frame that I bought of ebay from a place in St Austel. It was completely seized and I have had some of the broken cast iron parts welded back on (you really have to look hard to see the join. So the plan is to have entry and exit from teh 'Station' in the box controled by the GF and some 1/4 scale signals (via some serious throw-compensation)

    We would also be after a free-standing cast iron stove - if you know where we could find something appropriate.....

    Regards
     
    ChrisP, Jun 1, 2009
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  10. lameuse3243

    lameuse3243 New Member

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    lameuse3243, Sep 14, 2009
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  11. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    It nice to know that a another small part of railway history is going to be used still. And controlling trains too... if on the smallish scale...
     
    ady, Sep 14, 2009
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  12. lameuse3243

    lameuse3243 New Member

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    Hi all

    You may like to see an update on the restoration of the Box here: http://www.tir-ltd.co.uk/news/2010/10/an-exciting-discovery-can-you-help-solve-a-puzzle/

    You may also wish to loook at some photos here: http://www.tir-ltd.co.uk/galleries/Axminster%20Gates%20Signal%20Box/

    I would be very interested to hear from anyone who may be able to give some more information to fill in the blanks. If anyone would like to visit the box, I would be pleased to welcome a small delegation. If you would like to contact us, we will put you on a list and notify you of a date shortly.

    info@tir-ltd.co.uk

    Regards

    Chris P
     
    lameuse3243, Oct 11, 2010
    #12

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