Blankney Signal Box

Great Northern Railway Type 4 signal box, built in 1928 by the London & North Eastern Railway Company; brick with a slate-covered roof. Later projection to operations room.

EXTERIOR: the signal box is rectangular in plan, with a pitched slate-covered roof, and timber bargeboards and finials. A timber projection to the operations room also has a pitched roof with bargeboards and a finial to the same design. Around the base of the box is a deep brick plinth, with brick work above. The operations room is substantially glazed with replacement window frames designed to replicate the original Yorkshire sashes. These form a continuous run along the north-east side, south-east gable end and part of the south-west side. There are two windows under segmental arches to the locking room in the north-east elevation; these seem to be original. The entrance to the operations room is in the north-west gable end, accessed by metal steps; the door to the locking room is in the south-east gable end. Marks in the brickwork under the windows at this end indicate the position of the brackets which would have supported a walkway. These brackets remain in place in the north-west gable end supporting the timber projecting section.

INTERIOR: the signal box retains its original frame. A circular cast-iron plate in the locking room has a raised design that includes the words SAXBY & FARMER PATENTEES LONDON, and the company crest, suggesting it may be a second-hand example of this type; however, an alternative identification describes it as a Tyer Direct Tappett frame. The operations room contains a cast-iron wheel with handle, attached to a cast-iron frame, which turns to operate the opening of the crossing gates. The room is not ceiled, but open to the roof, with rafters and collars.