Cromer Signalbox

home

guide

support us

pictures

links

contact

Newsletter: September 2011

Reporting on a very successful Open Day

In the five years since our first Open Day, this year's in June was the most successful yet. Over 100 visitors came on to the site - some were our own CRSS Members; some were our neighbours (i.e. folk whose houses overlook the signal box site); some were Cromer residents; and some were on  holiday in the area or on a day trip to the town. It was pleasing to see so many people and equally pleasing to hear all the positive comments that visitors made - about how well the site looked; how bright and clean were the recently painted and labelled levers in the signal box; and how well the work on the adjacent platelayers' hut had turned out.

Many of the younger visitors (and one or two of the older ones too!) enjoyed 'working the lever frame' (with a small amount of guidance) in the signal box and pulling and pushing the levers and no doubt imagining themselves to be the Cromer signalman of yesteryear. Not that these 'signallers' (to use a more recent name for the man or woman who nowadays operates a signal box) were able to pull or push levers at random. The 'mechanical locking' (basically a system of metal bars in the locking room below which prevent conflicting routes being set up) left over from the days when the box operated for real has remained and hence the right sequence has to be followed.

The conversations flowed-sometimes over a cup of tea or coffee and at other times whilst walking around the site or standing on the operating floor. Taking meals to father in his signal box were three different people's memories from childhood. Living in a house with a signal box nearby and hearing the Block Bells ringing throughout the day and night was another vivid memory. Others recalled travelling by train in the era of steam engines and remembered getting smuts in their face if they leant out of a window. The windows which went up and down and were held in place by a leather strap was another's contribution to the realms of memory lane. It wasn't all nostalgia for a number of those who visited asked about the plans for opening the signal box to the public and were interested in the proposal to mount a small exhibition of railway memorabilia and information in the platelayers' hut. Indeed, a good day all round when the sun shone and visitors enjoyed themselves.

What has the Working Party been doing recently?

Even whilst the Open Day was running its course, work was continuing on those areas that have still to receive attention. The balustrade formed of scaffolding poles that was erected around the front and sides of the signal box in the 1960s has never been one of the box's most endearing features and this was removed. In addition, measurements were taken to replace the now life-expired boards which were originally put in place to enable the signalman to clean the windows. Cognizant of the fact that the locking room (that area of the signal box immediately below the operating floor) should not really be the store for ladders, tools, spare parts and the like, a decision was taken at a recent Committee Meeting to purchase a shed. The foundations for this (railway sleepers, what else!) were laid at the back of the cattle dock in July and the September session will see this building erected.

Work has also taken place on the pathway leading from the steps towards the Holt Road gate and now there's a designated footway with board edges. In between times, there has been the inevitable need for weeding, cutting and trimming which anyone with a two-acre garden area knows demands any amount of attention. Incidentally, the signal box and its adjacent platelayers' hut was entered in this year's National Railway Heritage Awards. No results yet but fingers are being kept crossed.