I cannot fully remember how Graham and I got to

this position opposite Stoneycombe Sidings signal box, to give it its proper and full name despite what the BR corporate image sign says. I think that it involved climbing some fences and a walk up the line, something that could and should never be undertaken today. Surprisingly, despite appearances, the box was a relatively early construction dating from 1894 and has an unusual flat reinforced concrete roof to protect it from falling stone during blasting. There was a huge hole in the ground just behind it where the stone had been extracted over the years with an even larger one behind where I am standing to take the photograph. Whilst the signal box could still be operated it rarely was being semi-permanently switched out. Amazingly, the box still stands with the widows bricked up and somewhat enveloped in greenery and can be seen, if one is quick, from passing trains. The frame still survives and is in use at the GWR Didcot Railway Museum now fitted to the former Frome North box now named Frome Mineral Junction.