Posted for the photographer David Rodgers:
As some of you may have been aware from previous postings history is about to be made at Scarborough. The famous semaphore signalling, gantry and signalbox (Falsgrave) are all due to be taken out of service next month.
Although I had made a couple of visits last year before any work commenced I have been sufficiently motivated to record the final scene to travel to Scarborough (once by car and once by rail) on the last two consecutive Fridays (when the steam-hauled 'Scarborough Flyer' runs).
A few words of introduction are in order. Network Rail are in the process of spending £60m remodelling the track layout at Scarborough, resignalling and some other 'improvements' on the line from York. Although quite a lot of preparatory work is already underway next month sees a total closure of the station whilst the track is rationalised and renewed. The famous signal gantry (reputedly the last on the network) will be removed on 11th October.
Scarborough station was designed by Architect G. T. Andrews and was opened in July 1845. The current platforms 1 and 2 were added in 1883 and at its maximum the station had 9 platforms. Whilst still a busy station only 5 platforms remain in use. However the superb original hipped-roof trainshed supported by cast iron columns still survives serving platforms 3,4 and 5 and is in an excellent state of repair.
Since the layout was rationalised to the current 5 platforms all signalling has been controlled by Falsgrave signalbox. This really imposing structure was built by the North Eastern Railway in 1908 and has 120 levers although quite a number are now spare. The signalbox was refurbished as recently as 2007 (with double glazing!) and has been repainted in 1950's BR (North Eastern Region) colours of tangerine and blue. It is one of the largest mechanical signalboxes remaining in Britain (I think Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Jct with 180 levers is the largest and Wrawby Jct at Barnetby with 137 levers the second largest?). In addition to controlling a number of individual semaphore and colour light signals in the station area perhaps the most famous feature is reputedly the last large signal gantry remaining in use in Britain, built in 1911. Both ths signalbox and gantry are Grade II listed structures and cannot be destroyed. Whilst Falsgrave signalbox will be retained as some sort of visitor attraction (the signals and points will be worked electrically from Seamer signalbox) the signal gantry will be removed next month and, after being refurbished and shortened somewhat, will be re-erected at Grosmont station, NYMR (presumably ending the life of the 3 attractive bracket signals by the level crossing?).
The 42-mile line from York is currently still signalled by a mix of colour light and semaphore signals and, apart from some work currently underway on Kirkham Abbey's distant signals, hopefully these will all survive the current programme. From York the signalboxes are:-
Strensall built NER 1901 - colour lights
Barton Hill built LNER 1936 - semaphores
Howsham built NER 1873 - semaphores
Kirkham Abbey built NER 1873 - semaphores
Malton built NER 1873 - colour lights
Weaverthorpe built NER 1873 - semaphores
Seamer built NER 1910 - colour lights
Although the 'Scarborough Spa Express' season finished some 10 days ago the Friday 'Scarborough Flyer' programme ended on September 10th; the last 2 trains having both been hauled by No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. And so, with Driver Bill Andrew taking out Friday nights return run to Crewe, the last steam train departed from Scarborough under the famous signal gantry and with it went another piece of history.
- 46115 Scots Guardsman passes the attractive 1873-built NER signalbox at Howsham (complete with flower boxes and bird feeder!) with the return 'Scarborough Spa Express 'on 31 August. This is now just a gate box to operate the manual level crossing gates and is no longer a block post.
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- 6233 Duchess of Sutherland leaves Scarborough and passes under Falsgrave signal gantry with the penultimate 'Scarborough Flyer' on 3 September.
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- Duchess of Sutherland arrives at Scarborough and passes Falsgrave signalbox and gantry with the final Scarborough Flyer of the season from Crewe on 10 September. By way of a comparison I have found the attached picture in a magazine taken at the same location 50 years ago of a B16 4-6-0 arriving from York!
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- 6233 Duchess of Sutherland pushes its train out of the station and under the gantry into the carriage sidings. Here the loco will be serviced and turned on the turntable. 10 September.
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- Two views inside the impressive 120-lever Falsgrave signalbox shortly due for closure. 10 September.
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- Two views inside the impressive 120-lever Falsgrave signalbox shortly due for closure. 10 September.
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- The 16.47 Class 185 unit departs Scarborough for Liverpool Lime Street on 10 September. The 'platform' alongside Falsgrave signalbox was at one time numbered 1A and has not had a track for many years. It was formerly used for Whitby trains which reversed out of the platform 1A and then headed north through Gallows Close tunnel immediately to the left of the signalbox.
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- Although departing Scarborough only 8 minutes after the above train all steam specials tend to leave from Platform 1 which at this time of year is already in shadow from some trees. Although the sky was almost clear and sunny for once we were hoping that it was not full sun when the train departed as it would have made for a very shadowy and contrasty picture. Fortunately a cloud hid most of the sun at the critical moment as Driver Bill Andrew eases No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland away from Scarbrough for the last time under the gantry. 10 September.
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- Are views of the most attractive 1845-built trainshed covering parts of Platforms 3, 4 and 5 at Scarborough. Platforms 1 and 2 have no roof covering. 10 September.
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- Are views of the most attractive 1845-built trainshed covering parts of Platforms 3, 4 and 5 at Scarborough. Platforms 1 and 2 have no roof covering. 10 September.
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- Are views of the most attractive 1845-built trainshed covering parts of Platforms 3, 4 and 5 at Scarborough. Platforms 1 and 2 have no roof covering. 10 September.
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- Falsgrave signalbox and gantry. By way of a comparison I have found the attached picture in a magazine taken at the same location 50 years ago of a B16 4-6-0 arriving from York!
- Scarborough em.jpg (181.17 KiB) Viewed 1005 times
