Armathwaite Signal Box - 125 Years (Tuesday 16th July 2024)

Welcome to this video which I filmed at Armathwaite Station on Tuesday 16th July 2024.
My visit coincided with the 125th Anniversary of the Midland Railway Signal Box which stands proudly at the northern end of the ‘Up’ Platform.
The box opened on 16th July 1899 and closed on 15th January 1983 after which it deteriorated until Network Rail agreed to lease it to the ‘Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line’ in 1992 as it is classed as a non-operational heritage asset.
It is a standard timber-built ‘Midland Type 2b’ design and measures 12’6 x 11’6 x 8’.0 and was built in kit form in the Midland Railway Company’s signalling workshops in Derby.
The box has been fully restored to its former Midland Railway appearance and is maintained and cared for by a small but dedicated team of FoSCL volunteers.
The original 16 lever-frame is still in position and the box has been furnished with a number of exhibits relating to both the signal box itself along with the Settle - Carlisle railway.
It was a very real pleasure to meet both Katherine Tuck and John Summers Johnson on this very special day and indeed it was John who was responsible for turning the preserved box into a visitor attraction including many of the artefacts which are now housed inside.
It is open on Sundays along with other days by prior arrangement.
Ongoing news about the signal box can be found by subscribing to their Facebook Page ‘Armathwaite signal box’.
A number of heritage steam trains travel along the Settle Carlisle every year and today it was the turn of the Pendle Dalesman heading from Lancaster to Carlisle headed by Black 5 Locomotive 44871 (LMS-5MT-4-6-0).
The video runs for 19 minutes 27 seconds.
Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoy it.