Looking largely intact but very dilapidated Maltby Colliery South signal

box still operates a suite of mechanical signals at an approximate midway point on a rather winding section of line between Shireoaks and Kirk Sandall. As its name would suggest, this former Great Central box, dating from 1912, once controlled access to the adjacent colliery that was closed by Hargreaves Services plc during April 2013. As the line is a useful diversionary route for freight it has survived following the cessation of coal traffic but trains traversing the line are few, for example on the day of our visit three trains were timetabled to run but none actually did meaning that the signalman had a very quiet day on his hands.