15. Robin Hood Line, Sheffield & Peak District-10.04.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 15. Robin Hood Line, Sheffield & Peak District-10.04.15

For our Easter trip, Andy and I took a trip the length of the Robin Hood line from north Nottingham, then across to Sheffield and finally over the Peak District to the east of Manchester. A day of great contrasts both in terms of general scenery and the railway itself.

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Images 1-50 of 50 displayed.

203, (NET) 07.14 Hucknall-Station Square, Bullwell station
In the light mist of a spring morning, Nottingham Express Transit unit 203 leaves Bullwell station with the 07.14 Hucknall to Station Square service. This particular tram is the second numbered of the initial order of Incentro AT6/5 units. These were built by Bombardier Transportation and introduced to service in 2004. Notice the heavy rail track to the left and the platform that serves the Robin Hood line that at this point is a single track.
Keywords: 203 NET 07.14 Hucknall-Station Square Bullwell station

220, (NET) 07.35-Hucknall-Station Square, Hucknall station
One of Nottingham Express Transit's trams, 220, waits to leave Hucknall station with the 07.35 to Station Square. Hucknall's NET station is the most northerly point of the tram network that commenced operations in 2004. Adjacent to my immediate right is the Network Rail station.
Keywords: 220 NET 07.35-Hucknall-Station Square Hucknall station

153379, EM 07.39 Mansfield Woodhouse-Nottingham (2D02), Newstead level crossing
East Midlands Trains' 153379 slows for its stop at Newstead station working the 07.39 Mansfield to Nottingham service. The train is about to cross the level crossing to the north of the station that used to provide access to the Newstead Colliery that opened in 1874 succumbing in 1987 after surviving the 1984/5 strike.
Keywords: 153379 07.39 Mansfield Woodhouse-Nottingham 2D02 Newstead level crossing

Frontage, Mansfield station
The rather grand frontage of Mansfield station is seen basking in the early morning spring sunshine. The building was built by the Midland Railway in 1872 some fifty-three years after the railway arrived in the town. Unfortunately, the station closed in 1964 leaving the town devoid of any railway connections. Fortunately, the building's historic interest was recognised and was awarded grade II status. Up until it when the station was reopened in 1995, Mansfield was the largest town in the United Kingdom without one.
Keywords: Frontage Mansfield station

Signals, Clipstone West Junction SK606653
Looking northwest from Clipstone South Junction reveals a fine selection if semaphore arms on the chord that leads to the line that led to the former High Marham power station. In its final years it has been used as a test track by Network Rail. Behind me, the line used to extend down to Mansfield but now terminates at the former Clipstone colliery so I can see no reason for its continued use unless some local knowledge can educate me!
Keywords: Signals Clipstone West Junction SK606653

Clipstone Junction signal box (GC, 1917)
Considering the very light levels of traffic on any of the lines that make up Clipstone's junctions, the 1917 Great Central signal box looks to be in good condition and in use. It is a Great Central type 5 design fitted with a 44 lever frame. Up until 1970 is was named Clipstone South Junction and sits high on an embankment above Archway Road. I am not sure what purpose the box now performs and do not expect it to be in use for much longer.
Keywords: Clipstone Junction signal box

Shirebrook Junction signal box (Midland, 1899)
Despite Shirebrook Junction signal box being a classic Midland box of 1889 vintage, this is deep in Great Central territory! The lines here were once extremely busy with coal traffic but now there is little freight. However, passenger services returned to the line on the left in 1995 with the route between Worksop and Nottingham reopening and being branded as the Robin Hood Line reopening. The rusty tracks to the right once headed off to Lincoln and the east coast. This route was later truncated at High Marham power station with just a regular flow of coal trains serving it. In recent years it has been in use as a Network Rail test track.
Keywords: Shirebrook Junction signal box

Shirebook station
To us spotters who started our hobby in the seventies, Shirebrook is probably most associated with a substantial diesel depot built to maintain and service the vast number of diesels that worked the coal trains of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coalfields. However, post the strike of 1984/5 followed by Thatcher and McGregor's policy to destroy any semblance of the industry and their policy to break the unions the depot faded out and closed. It can be seen in the back of this image still standing just beyond the station. The station was opened in 1875 eventually closing in 1964. It reopened in 1998 with regular trains on the Robin Hood line now serving it. Notice Andy on the platform looking at the information screen in the hope of a train arriving soon.
Keywords: Shirebook station

Elmton & Creswell Junction signal box (LMS, 1946)
The lovely LMS signal box at Elmton and Creswell. This box opened in 1946 replacing two other Midland boxes. In recent years the box has undergone some renovation but it is no longer in regular use. It is switched out but can operate when circumstances so demand. A station has also opened here to serve the people of the immediate area. I am standing on the platform end to take this photograph.
Keywords: Elmton Creswell Junction signal box

Down starter bracket, Creswell station
The down starter bracket, devoid of the lower submissive arm, at Creswell. The signal is pulled off but not for a train but as the box was switched out. The removed lower arm controlled access to a short spur that joined to a myriad of lines at Staveley colloquially known as the Clowne Branch.
Keywords: Down starter bracket Creswell station

156405, EM 09.26 Nottingham-Worksop (2W06), Whitwell station
156405 arrives at Whitwell station forming the 09.26 Nottingham to Worksop service. The station was opened in 1875 with trains operated by both the Midland and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. The station was closed by British Railways in 1964 with the station building dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt at Butterley to become the heritage Midland Railway's main station in 1981, see....... https://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/butterley-station/
Keywords: 156405 09.26 Nottingham-Worksop 2W06 Whitwell station

Shireoaks Station signal box (MS & L, 1874)
The 1874 Shireoaks Station signal box looks a little sorry for itself but is in largely original condition. It was constructed in 1874 by Saxby and Farmer for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway (MS&LR). It is located at the end of Shireoaks' station adjacent to the level crossing on Shireoaks Common. The box appears to be of an odd design with the front centre of the top being devoid of windows making it look as if this ought to be the rear of the box!
Keywords: Shireoaks Station signal box

Kiverton Park Station signal box (GC, date unknown)
The superb Kiverton Park Station signal box is seen complete with a lovely pair of finials atop the slate roof. The box is in good condition but is a little marred by some uPVC cladding and windows along with some galvanized replacement steps. The toilet is also a more recent addition. The box is a Great Central type 5 structure that I believe may date from 1880 but I stand to be corrected. It no longer operates any semaphores having an IFS panel that controls the level crossing.
Keywords: Kiverton Park Station signal box

Beighton Station signal box (GC, c.1908)
Beighton is on the far eastern flank of Sheffield. The railways in the area is made up of a complex of an interweaving triangular network of lines, stretching over two miles from Killamarsh in the south to Beighton station in the northwest and to Waleswood in the northeast. Generically, the triangle is known as Beighton Junction. The Great Central signal box dates from circa 1908 and was at the site of the former station. There are now just two tracks at this location, previously there were many more meaning that the box would have been busy with much traffic, mainly freight.
Keywords: Beighton Station signal box

Woodhouse Junction signal box (LNER, 1926)
Without either trespassing on the track or stomping through somebody's garden, it proved impossible to get a picture of the front of the large and impressive Woodhouse Junction signal box! So, a picture of the rear of the 1926 LNER type 11a box will have to suffice! Originally named Woodhouse East Junction the box gained its present name on the closure of the West box in 1970. It sits at what was a key junction on the Great Central network where the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire route between Cleethorpes and Manchester was joined by the newer main route from London before heading through towards Sheffield. Notice that the box has a brick base, this was probably added during World War II to offer what would be a small degree of protection as it and others in the Woodhouse and Beighton area were strategically important and thus probably specific targets for the Luftwaffe.
Keywords: Woodhouse Junction signal box

Former Tinsley yard, control tower still in situ
A lone security guard wanders up the expanse of what was once a huge marshalling yard at Tinsley. He is walking towards the remains of the control tower where the movements of the endless wagons were managed from as they passed over the now-removed hump. From the fifty roads that were once in existence in Tinsley yard, there are now just three tracks remaining with just one seeing occasional use. This view of the desolate scene is taken looking north-west from the Wood Lane bridge.
Keywords: Former Tinsley yard control tower still in situ

Former Tinsley Yard
Looking south-east from Wood Lane bridge the remains of the once-mighty Tinsley yard are seen. Opened in 1965 by Sir Richard Beeching it was heralded as the future of freight on the railways being designated as a 'network yard' but in truth, it was already redundant as the rail freight that it was designed for was in terminal decline. In this scene the site of the former signal box can be seen once located on the slab of concrete to the far right of the image. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by arsonists in 2010 a few months after it was finally closed. The steps rising up the bank to the far right of the image led up to the former Tinsley depot (TI from 1973) that was located where the warehouse is now constructed. Like the marshalling yard, the depot had a ridiculously short working life opening in 1965 and closing in 1998. In its final year of operation it was owned by EWS and used for the storage of redundant and withdrawn diesels.
Keywords: Former Tinsley Yard

Woodburn Junction signal box (BR, 1992)
There was once a superb Great Central signal box at Woodburn Junction but on its closure in 1992, this porta-cabin structure was deemed as a worthy replacement by BR! In recent years, the new structure has had a cosmetic facelift after it became daubed with graffiti. It contains a mini panel that controls the immediate area and the lines to Rotherham and the closed Tinsley yard that branches off in the foreground. This route to Rotherham has now been singled but can still see occasional use as a usful diversionallry route from the Midland route north of Sheffield.
Keywords: Woodburn Junction signal box

222015, EM 13.08 Sheffield-Sheffield ECS (5C52), Woodburn Junction
An East Midlands Trains empty coaching stock working passes Woodburn Junction as the 13.08 Sheffield to Sheffield 5C52. It will soon stop, reverse, and cross from the down to the up and return to the station that is just a mile and a half away in the distance. The roof of Woodburn Junction signal box, a 1992 porta-cabin, can be seen above the third coach of the Meridian.
Keywords: 222015 13.08 Sheffield-Sheffield ECS 5C52 Woodburn Junction

158852, EM 09.57 Norwich-Liverpool Lime Street (1R78), Dore station
158852 passes Drore's single platform in the spring sunshine working the 09.57 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street. It is now on the trans-Pennine Hope Valley route leaving behind the Midland line that heads south towards Derby that can be seen to the right. Dore station is a shadow of itself with it once boasting four platforms that served both the Midland tracks and the doubled Hope Valley route. Plans are under discussion to expand the station once again with route enhancements to improve both freight and passenger train capacity.
Keywords: 158852 09.57 Norwich-Liverpool Lime Street 1R78 Dore station

222006, EM 11.58 London St. Pancras-Sheffield (1F30), Dore station
East Midlands' 222006 has just emerged from Bradway Tunnel and is seen passing Dore station's single platform on which I am standing. The train has a short distance to go before it will arrive into Sheffield with the 11.58 from London St. Pancras. The space in the foreground once contained a second track for the Hope Valley line and an island platform serving both that and the down Midland line on which the meridian is travelling.
Keywords: 222006 11.58 London St. Pancras-Sheffield 1F30 Dore station

Totley Tunnel East signal box (Midland, 1893)
The delightful Totley Tunnel East signal box is pictured nestling in the cutting just below the footbridge that I am standing on. Despite the 1893 Midland Railway structure being modernised in 2006 it still retains a lot of its original character. The UPVC cladding is looking in need of a clean but if that is all the maintenance that it needs then I suppose maintenance costs will be a lot lower. The wooden nameboard looks to be the genuine article as do the finials atop the hipped slate roof.
Keywords: Totley Tunnel East signal box

142030, NT 12.49 Manchester Piccadilly-Sheffield (2S30), Totley
With the Pennines in view on the skyline, 142030 is seen passing Totley Tunnel East signal box. The Pacer is working the 12.49 Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield that will arrive at its destination in about fifteen minutes times. Notice the flower basket on the balcony of the signal box. It is the personal touches like this that are being lost as the railways 'modernise' and staff disappear away from the frontline into anonymous buildings and what are euphemistically referred to as 'signalling centres'.
Keywords: 142030 12.49 Manchester Piccadilly-Sheffield 2S30 Totley

BR (LM) enamel, Grindleford station cafe
This British Railways (LM) enamel sign looks to be the real deal! Close examination reveals the at it has the correct flanged edge with the font and colours looking to be right. In addition, it looks to be appropriately weathered. I suspect that it was rescued from the adjacent station when it was modernised by BR in the 1970s with it probably being simply thrown away. I hope that it is attached firmly to the wall of the café next to Grindleford station to deter trophy hunters (common thieves to you and I) removing it, at least there is a CCTV camera watching!
Keywords: BR LM enamel Grindleford station cafe

170303, TP 12.26 Cleethorpes-Manchester Airport (1B79), Totley tunnel
This was a bit of a grab shot, indeed close examination of 170303 forming the 12.26 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport service does reveal a little motion blur. However, I like the contrast of the brightly coloured TransPennine Express livery with the dark Millstone Grit tunnel portal and the land surrounding it that has yet to take on any of its spring colours. When the three and a half-mile long Totley Tunnel was opened in 1893, note the engraving above the tunnel mouth, it was the second-longest in the UK behind the Severn Tunnel. Even today it remains the fourth-longest with the two High-Speed one tunnels now being the two longest ones.
Keywords: 170303 12.26 Cleethorpes-Manchester Airport 1B79 Totley tunnel

Grindleford signal box (LMS, 1938)
The Midland 1938 signal box at Grindleford is seen from the platform end of the station. It operates absolute block in both directions west to Earles and east to Totley Tunnel East through the length of the three and a half-mile tunnel with an intermediate block on the down to compensate for the losses of Hope and Bamford boxes. One refuge siding remains on the down side with the up sidings now being hopelessly overgrown to the right of the image.
Keywords: Grindleford signal box

156414 & 158770, EM 12.52 Liverpool Lime Street-Norwich (1L11), Grindleford station
If I was to make the journey from Liverpool to Norwich, I would not want to travel in a class 156 dmu! To be fair to East Midland Trains, 156414 was attached to a more appropriate 158770 but nonetheless, niot ideal. The two set combo is seen passing through Grindleford station with the 1L11 12.52 from Lime Street.
Keywords: 156414 158770 12.52 Liverpool Lime Street-Norwich 1L11 Grindleford station

142096, NT 14.14 Sheffield-Manchester Piccadilly (2S41), Grindleford station
142096 has just emerged from Totley tunnel, the portal of which can be seen just behind the unit beyond the bridge working the 14.14 Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly Northern Trains service. Notice the two children standing on the bridge leaning over the parapet doing what children have done on railway bridges for years, watching trains go by!
Keywords: 142096 14.14 Sheffield-Manchester Piccadilly 2S41 Grindleford station

66740, 14.23 Tunsted Sidings-Wellingborough TC, Bamford station
66740 'Sarah' passes at speed through Bamford station. It has recently left Tunsted sidings with the 14.23 loaded stone train to Wellingborough. How ironic that Andy have travelled all the way to the Pennines only to photograpgh a freight train heading to a location a short distance from where we both live!
Keywords: 66740 14.23 Tunsted Sidings-Wellingborough TC Bamford station

66610, stabled, Earles Sidings signal box (Midland, 1929)
A typical scene at Earles sidings with the bulk of Kinder Scout behind dominating the skyline. 66610 is seen at the head of a cement train with an unidentified classmate just out of sight to the left. To the far right of the image is Earles Sidings signal box, this is as close as I could get to it! Looking more like a British Railways 1960 style box it is, in fact, a 1929 Midland box that has been decapitated and then refurbished in 2005 with the usual UPVC cladding.
Keywords: 66610 Earles Sidings signal box

Edale signal box (Midland, 1893)
Edale signal box was refurbished in 2005 with the work completed changing its appearance considerably. Apart from the cloaking of the wooden Midland 1893 structure with UPVC the windows have been replaced with sealed units that bear no resemblance at all to the original nine pane sliding frames. The roof has been replaced but unfortunately, the finials were not returned. Whilst I bemoan the work done to the box, I must applaud the efforts made in order to make it more environmentally efficient and to improve the working conditions for the railway staff.
Keywords: Edale signal box

66031, 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest, Edale station
66031 shatters the peace at Edale station in the Peak District. It is approaching the end of its journey leading the 13.00 Heck to Peak Forest empty stone wagons. This particular class 66 was a relatively early arrival reaching the UK on 01.12.98. meaning that it approaching twenty year's old!
Keywords: 66031 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest Edale station

66031, 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest, Edale station & 185136, 14.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes (1B82), Edale station
With a dramatic backdrop, TransPennine Express' 185136 passes Edale signal box forming the 1B82 14.55 manchester Airport to Cleethorpes. It has just passed the 13.00 Heck Plassmoor to Peak Forest empty wagons hauled by 66031. The village of Edale is probably best known as the starting point of the fabled Pennine Way long distance footpath. The actual start point is just a few minutes walk from the station.
Keywords: 66031 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest, Edale station 185136 14.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes 1B82 Edale station

66031, 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest, Peak Forest South
Having seen this train a little earlier at Edale, it is seen again having arrived at its destination. 66031 has stopped at Peak Forest South opposite the signal box with the 13.00 empty stone train from Heck Plassmoor. This location is high in the Peak District at a shade under one thousand feet. Despite this, there is an amazing network of railways that exist solely for the transportation of various types of stone out of the area.
Keywords: 66031 13.50 Heck Plassmoor-Peak Forest Peak Forest South

66145 & 60044, 09.57 Bletchley-Peak Forest, Peak Forest South
66044, at the rear of the train in the distance, will have worked it all the way from Bletchley in Buckinghamshire earlier in the day leaving at 09.57. Having arrived at Peak Forest, 66145 has been attached and is about to drag the train back into the exchange sidings behind me for it to be loaded again with aggregates. After such a smashing start to the day, it has clouded up here in the Peak District and is now a very grey afternoon.
Keywords: 66145 60044, 09.57 Bletchley-Peak Forest, Peak Forest South

60044, 09.57 Bletchley-Peak Forest, Peak-Forest South
The driver in the cab of 60044 peers along the train as it is dragged by the out of sight 66145 slowly into the exchange sidings seen beyond the bridge in the background. The former Peak Forest station building is clearly seen behind the train. Now used by DB Schenker as a signing on point and mess room it was closed to passengers when the Midland through route to Manchester was shut in March 1967.
Keywords: 60044 09.57 Bletchley-Peak-Forest, Peak Forest South

Peak Forest South signal box (Midland, 1925)
It is nice to see Peak Forest South signal box is still proudly carrying a genuine-looking LMS nameboard of some kind but I doubt it is an original but I stand to be corrected. Despite the felted roof, the uPVC cladding and windows, the box cannot disguise its Midland origins being of their type 4d design but one that was actually erected by the LMS in 1925. This was a replacement box for an 1891 structure on the opposite of the line. To get this image required a walk down a very steep field that was full of inquisitive sheep and then a trudge back up it to the road whilst Andy patiently waited in the car.
Keywords: Peak Forest South signal box

Great Rocks Junction signal box (Midland, 1923)
Quite unbelievably, Great Rocks Junction signal box is of an identical vintage to the previous box seen on this trip, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/28004564404/peak-forest-south-signal-box In fact, this box predates Peak Forest South by two years but its present drastically altered design would not tell you this. At some time in the past, the roof was removed and it was then painted in a hideous orangy-yellow colour. Finally, in the early 2000s it was clad in uPVC with the toilet block added on the far end. Hard to recognise it as a 1923 Midland type 4d box but that is what it actually is!
Keywords: Great Rocks Junction signal box

Loaded stone train, Great Rocks Junction
Looking south-east along Great Rocks Dale reveals a scene that this area is all about, quarrying. Yet another loaded stone train waits to leave the area with an unidentified class 66 at the front of the train. This track was once part of the particularly scenic Midland Railway route through from Ambergate to Manchester that was closed in 1968. The route remains open as far as Buxton with the Peak Rail heritage line then operating as far as Rowsley. This leaves the twelve-mile steeply climbing section between there and what was Millers Dale Junction, about a mile distant in this photograph. As well as plenty of steam action, the route also saw the Manchester Blue Pullman service traversing the route up to its closure. Much of the route is in use today as the fantastic Monsall Trail that includes six tunnels.
Keywords: Loaded stone train Great Rocks Junction

66031, running round, Buxton station
Having seen 66031 a little earlier.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/28004559204/x66031-13-50-heck-plassmoor-peak it is seen again from the platform end at Buxton station. It is performing some sort of positioning move to work a return train. Buxton signal box is seen behind it catching some welcome afternoon sunshine.
Keywords: 66031 running round, Buxton station

Former Buxton diesel depot
The former Buxton diesel depot was opened to great fanfare in 1957, indeed a 1960 Pathé film exists estoling its modernity! After becoming synonymous with enthusiasts for its diversity of allocation, it was closed in 1995 with its sidings used to stable DMUs. The extensive site is still owned by DB Schenker but there are plans afoot to redevelop the site despite continuing rumours about its reopening for railway use.
Keywords: Former Buxton diesel depot

Buxton signal box (LNWR, 1894)
The lovely Buxton signal box is seen in some pleasant afternoon sunshine. The box, formally named Buxton No. 1, is an LNWR Type 4 box dating from 1894 that received the UPVC treatment in 2004 that does spoil its looks somewhat. Today it still controls a number of signals radiating on four routes away from the box with absolute block in operation as far as Chapel-en-le-Frith. The remaining three routes are into the station, the Briggs branch up to the Hindlow and Dowlow quarries, and the route to Great Rocks Junction.
Keywords: Buxton signal box

Chapel-en-le-Frith signal box (BR, 1957)
Chapel-en-le-Frith signal box is a relatively, modern British Railways (LMR) type 15 structure dating from 1957. It contains a twenty lever frame but has only five levers in use today with the remainder painted white and out of use. It was built to replace the LNWR box that was destroyed in a fatal accident that destroyed it the same year, see.... https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=290 This box is an intermediate block between Buxton and Furness Vale and can often be found switched out but not on this day with both the up and down signals at danger.
Keywords: Chapel-en-le-Frith signal box

Chinley signal box (BR, 1980)
The 1980 BR (LMR) type 15 signal box at Chinley replaced a lovely Midland box located just to the east of this spot that was named Chinley North Junction. The location is probably best known for the accident that took place right opposite the box on 20.02.87 when 31440, hauling the IM34 16.22 Sheffield to Liverpool Lime Stree, hit the derailed 7A22 14.32 Peak Forest to Bletchley stone train, hauled by 47089 'Amazon' that had runaway and been derailed as it hit the junction points. The accident caused both locomotives to be withdrawn, 47089 being a home favourite of mine as a young spotter in the West Country during the 1970s, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/25311196604/nameplate-47089-up-pw-train-westbury
Keywords: Chinley signal box

170304 & 170308, TP 16.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes (1B86), Chinley station
I am not absolutely sure what Andy is doing in the strange pose on Chinley station as 170304 and 170308 passes forming the 16.55 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes. Chinley station is a shadow of its former self with just one island platform and a large waiting shelter as seen just behind Andy. This is quite a contrast to when it had several platforms, four main running lines and extensive sidings including a turntable. There was a general post-war decline but the factor that completed the rot in the station's fortunes was the closure of the former Midland route from Derby through to Manchester in 1968.
Keywords: 170304 170308 16.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes 1B86 Chinley station

170308 & 170304, TP 16.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes (1B86), Chinley station
Having taken a picture in the opposite direction at Chinley station from the footbridge, I decided on a going-away shot due to the far more satisfactory lighting looking east on this early spring late afternoon. 170308 and 170304 are seen working the 16.55 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes service, next stop will be Sheffield. In this view, the clear space is where the former platforms were located and also give away that there was once four through roads here.
Keywords: 170304 170308 16.55 Manchester Airport-Cleethorpes 1B86 Chinley station

Furness Vale signal box (LNWR, 1897)
The classic looking 1897 LNWR type 4 Furness Vale signal box sits in the early evening sun adjacent to the level crossing and station, both to my right. Whilst the box has had the uPVC treatment, it retains its character complete with a pair of fine finials and the BR (LMR) flanged enamel nameplate. Unfortunately, it has lost its chimney and I can find no photographs of the box with it still extant.
Keywords: Furness Vale signal box

Level crossing and pub, Furness Vale
Diagonally from the LNWR signal box at Furness Vale is The Crossings public house. The picture on the pub sign appears to be of the actual pub it is in full view of but, on this side at least it appears to have been reversed. In this view, the level crossing gates are clear to see as well as the station footbridge and sign on the other side of the crossing. The pub is one of two hundred and fifty owned by the Stockport based Robinsons Brewery that has been making beer since 1849.
Keywords: Level crossing The Crossings pub Furness Vale Robinsons beer

New Mills South Junction signal box (Midland, 1903)
Located on the Midland route at the western end of the Hope Valley line through the Pennines is New Mills. To the east of the town, the route splits with one line heading through Disley tunnel towards Stockport and the other heading directly to Piccadilly via Reddish North. At the junction, where the two lines split, is this former Midland box dating from 1903. It has had the uPVC treatment but still retains its balcony and its unmistakable Midland Railway appearance. It sits in commanding position high above the valley of the River Goyt.
Keywords: New Mills South Junction signal box

New Mills Central signal box (Midland, 1924)
In the early evening sunshine, New Mills Central signal box is seen from the platform end of the station. It was opened by the Midland in 1924 as it to their type 4d design. The railway, the track and the box itself cling to the side of the steep valley with the line having just emerged from the short New Mils tunnel that can be seen in the background.
Keywords: New Mills Central signal box

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