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| Felt a bit sad today 03/09/2016 at 20:01 #84492 | |
outofsection
149 posts |
I went on one of my regular trips to see my mother in a nursing home in Birmingham today and went through Banbury station. Nothing noteworthy about that, but it made me sad to see that not only does Banbury South box no longer exist but neither is there any sign left that it was ever there at all. North box was still in situ and untouched externally, but I noticed that there were a pair of occupied hi-vis jackets inside, presumably removing the equipment. But saddest of all, not a semaphore in sight... sob! Is that the end of all semaphores on the line or are those at Greenford still in use? OoS Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 03/09/2016 at 20:25 #84493 | |
AndyG
1842 posts |
Hopefully the equipment is not being removed just yet, I'm booked on an official visit next Wednesday.
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 05/09/2016 at 08:23 #84517 | |
wellgroomed
110 posts |
" said:North box was still in situ and untouched externally, but I noticed that there were a pair of occupied hi-vis jackets inside, presumably removing the equipment.One of those in the HV jackets was me! We're undertaking guided tours of the signal box until the end of the month. The semaphores are still in use at Greenford. Log in to reply The following user said thank you: outofsection |
| Felt a bit sad today 05/09/2016 at 11:14 #84523 | |
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outofsection
149 posts |
Thanks for that Wellgroomed. Nice to hear the Greenford box is still alive & kicking - er, rather clanking & tinging! I wish I'd known about the guided tours - which explains why North box is still in existence and South box isn't. Was South box claimed by any preserved railway? It would be nice to think it went to a good home as it was quite a substantial box.
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| Felt a bit sad today 05/09/2016 at 11:21 #84524 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
" said:Thanks for that Wellgroomed. Nice to hear the Greenford box is still alive & kicking - er, rather clanking & tinging! I wish I'd known about the guided tours - which explains why North box is still in existence and South box isn't. Was South box claimed by any preserved railway? It would be nice to think it went to a good home as it was quite a substantial box.This is all from memory of various posts in Facebook groups so take it with a dose of salt: South box was demolished within hours of its closure. It stood in the way of the new works so had to be removed sharpish. North box is not unique so did not warrant being listed. A group did try to save it but a case of too little, too late. There's also the issue of asbestos which may or may not have been present which complicates things a bit. The railway is in the business of moving people and goods safely so preservation is not high on the agenda. But I understand there is a dedicated person(s) who deal with requests for preservation including equipment and entire signalboxes. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 05/09/2016 at 15:08 #84528 | |
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wellgroomed
110 posts |
Without wishing to duplicate anything that's already been said, the resignalling blockade possession did require the South Signal Box to be demolished, almost immediately after the last down train had passed. The morning of Saturday 30th July saw the box being demolished, to allow for the Depot Reception Road to be laid and signalled. Some of the signals and posts were placed adjacent to my office after being recovered. Guided tours to the the North Signal Box can be made via following the link from any search engines 'Banbury North Book Me Now', although bear in mind we only have four weeks left. A lot (if not all) of the equipment from the North Signal Box will be recovered and used elsewhere. Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 08/09/2016 at 08:55 #84581 | |
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outofsection
149 posts |
Thank you both for that. Sad that neither box will be preserved as they were both quite substantial affairs, but as 10cc said, "that's the way the croissant crumbles after all" ("One Night in Paris" from the album "The Original Soundtrack"). At least some of the equipment will find further use. I miss the two fairly recent semaphore additions at the south end that were added ooh, only 3 or 4 years ago to enable diverted HSTs to reverse en route to Didcot when the GWML is blockaded for the Reading rebuild/remodelling and for electrification. Is there much of that work left to do? I know the electrification work has already started, but I haven't been along that line for some time now. Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 09/09/2016 at 00:42 #84605 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
" said:the two fairly recent semaphore additions at the south end that were added ooh, only 3 or 4 years ago to enable diverted HSTs to reverse en route to Didcot when the GWML is blockaded for the Reading rebuild/remodelling and for electrification.Must be nearly 5 years ago, if not more. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Felt a bit sad today 09/09/2016 at 00:49 #84606 | |
postal
5264 posts 
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" said:" said:According to Adrian the Rock it was November 2010 (http://roscalen.com/signals/Banbury/index.htm).the two fairly recent semaphore additions at the south end that were added ooh, only 3 or 4 years ago to enable diverted HSTs to reverse en route to Didcot when the GWML is blockaded for the Reading rebuild/remodelling and for electrification.Must be nearly 5 years ago, if not more. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply The following user said thank you: GeoffM |
| Felt a bit sad today 09/09/2016 at 13:15 #84623 | |
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outofsection
149 posts |
Oh dear! Was it THAT long ago? I really must be getting old! 
Last edited: 09/09/2016 at 13:16 by outofsection Log in to reply |