Historic signal box lifted into new home
An historic signal box cabin that started its life in Shropshire has been lifted into place in its new home on the Llangollen steam railway.
The building was taken away from the level crossing at Weston Rhyn in 1991 after the signalling became automatic.
It has been stored at the Llangollen railway's Carrog yard since then, ready for use at the train line's extension up the Dee Valley, and over the last few months volunteers have renovated and repainted it to prepare it for the move two miles down the road to Corwen.
The seven tonne building's journey to its new home at a new Central Station in Corwen began with a journey up the A5.
George Jones from the Llangollen railway said the station should open to trains in 2019.
"The wooden structure has for long been a feature in storage in the station yard at Carrog since it as recovered from the level crossing at Weston Rhyn in 1991," he said.
"The movement was contracted to Rail Support Services, a specialist company in rail operations, aided by a 90 ton road crane supplied by Buckley's Mobile Crane Services of Glan Conway.
"With lifting beams inserted below the cabin, the crane made short work of lifting the nearly seven tonne cabin onto a low loader to enable a move as an abnormal load down the A5 road to Corwen.
"Safely delivered onto the railway embankment, the road crane then lifted the cabin onto the previously built block base where it was secured in its new location guarding the east end entrance to the new station layout."
He said the interior now needed renovated, steps built and the windows refitted.
"Ultimately a signalling frame and associated locking system will be installed to control the station track layout, but that will be some way off as other priorities must take precedent.
"The operation to move and install the cabin was a major success and a massive weight off the minds of the project team leaders who planned the arrangements in conjunction with the contractors.
"It was also a big boost for the team of volunteers who have worked hard to prepare the structure.
"Installing the signal box cabin has been an essential aspect of the next phase of the project before the track layout for the station loop is completed. "
The temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East will close to public train services on Sunday.
"The railway will be re-engineered for connection through to the new terminus when all the work is complete, hopefully by Easter next year if all goes well and resources continue to come to hand.
"For the Santa Trains Season and Mince Pie Specials during the Christmas period trains will terminate at Carrog."
