GCR S&T Department- Quorn Resignalling brought into use. 17th January 2004.

In the darkness of Saturday morning, large numbers of the S&T Department descended on Quorn and Woodhouse station. Over the next two hours they prepared the signalling there for its first day in operational use. Crosses were removed from semaphore arms and bags from colour light heads. Signal lamps were lit, scotches and locks were removed from points. Signals, points and telephones were given a final check. Meanwhile Signalmen Mark Jacques and Trevor Willett were being given a guided tour of the new box and a quick rundown of any peculiarities. Finally, shortly before half past nine, Signals 26, 27, 28 and 29 were pulled off and the Up road was cleared for the first train to pass through. It is worth noting that Mark Jacques was present in the original Quorn box on its last day of operation in 1965 and worked the new Quorn box on its first day of operation. That's a long time between shifts !

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The first train to use the Quorn signalling scheme. This is the 0915 Up departure from Loughborough. Having passed the Up Distant Auto (colour light), it is approaching the Up Distant (29) and the Up Home (28). Also visible are the Down Starter (3) and the ground disc controlling entry to the Down Lie-Bye siding (8)

 

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The first train passes an operational Quorn Box. Members of the S&T gang seen include Andy Higginson, Richard Drew, Simon Nicholson, John Drake and Tom Vickery. At the top of the steps is Mark Jacques and visible at the window is Trevor Willett.

 

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The train passes the Up Starter (27) and heads towards the Advanced Starter (26). To the right of the picture are the Down Distant Auto (colour light), the Down Distant (1) and the Down Home (2).

 

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Graham Bannister (GCR S&T Engineer), Arthur Bassett and Pete Robinson in the box. In the background are Tom Vickery and Joe Pepper (S&T's only 86 year old volunteer)

 

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Some of the team that worked on the resignalling scheme. From Left to Right, Richard Drew (Standing Right), John, John Drake, Simon Nicholson, Ian, Graham Bannister, Arthur Bassett, Joe Pepper, Peter Robinson, Tom Vickery, Mark Jacques, Shawn Sanders (yours truly) and Trevor Willett (at window). Many more people were involved in the work but were unable to be present on its first day in work. Photograph by John East.

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Quorn and Woodhouse Signal Box, three days prior to being put into work.

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Quorn and Woodhouse Signal Box, three days prior to being put into work.

 

Below are some random pictures taken throughout the work on the scheme. More pictures, from the S&T Working Week in May 2003, can be found at http://www.greatcentraltoday.com/gcr2003ww.htm

 

The illuminated diagram. May 2003.

Work on the box, May 2003.

Testing underway on the electric locks and circuit controllers, July 2003.

Derek Winter, S&T Paint Craftsman extraordinaire, July 2003.

Graham Bannister and Kevin Thomas working on the support structure for the electric locks, May 2003.

Phil Hetherington, likewise. May 2003.

Jacqui Thomas, about to weld. May 2003.

Graham Bannister (seemingly awaiting execution), Kevin Thomas and Andy Higginson. May 2003.

Pulling in the (literally) miles of wiring in the locking room, May 2003.

Testing the circuit controller on the Up Advance Starter (26) July 2003.

Nice sink Pete ! First appearance on film of Arthur, the signal box cat. October 2003

Signalbox Romesee stove, November 2003.

General view of the box, November 2003.

The block shelf and instruments, November 2003.

General view of the box, November 2003.

Tony Barker balancing to avoid the newly sealed linoleum. November 2003.

Market Rasen box in 1981 at the start of it's long journey into work at Quorn. Image courtesy of Peter Robinson.

Market Rasen box in 1981 at the start of it's long journey into work at Quorn. Image courtesy of Peter Robinson.

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