[Stolen] SIGNAL BOX DOOR PLATE

STOLEN ON SUNDAY 11 TH JUNE – SIGNAL BOX DOOR PLATE

We regret to have to inform you that on Sunday 11th June a visitor to Exeter West Signal Box at Crewe Heritage Centre stole the ‘Great Western Railway No unauthorised persons allowed in this box’ plate from the signal box door. This was a particularly audacious theft because the signal box was open and being demonstrated to the public at the time.

The plate is a replica, not a GW original, so has little monetary value, and had recently been repainted in chocolate, with cream lettering, during an exterior repaint of the building. If the plate is still in its original state then it may well have traces of cream paint around the screw/bolt holes, as the dome-headed bolts that had been used to secure the plate to prevent its being removed from the outside had been picked out in cream during the repaint. The plate may also have traces of a silicone sealer on the back, as sealer had been applied around the edges to prevent rain percolating behind the plate and damaging the wooden door.

It is possible that this plate may be offered for sale through an auction or it is also possible that it may appear at a car boot or other sale in the Crewe area, or may be offered for sale on eBay. If anyone suspects they may have seen this plate, please contact us via the link on the 'Exeter West Group' web page.

Sincerely

Peter Jordan

Vice-President, Exeter West Group