Not quite the end of the line for old railway assets

Historic railway equipment destined for the scrap yard has been saved by three groups of enthusiasts in Northumberland.

As part of the multi-million upgrade of the Northumberland Line – which will see passengers services restored to the line for the first time in over 60 years between Ashington and Newcastle – signalling will no longer be controlled from lineside signal boxes but instead from a state-of-the-art centre in Newcastle.

While kit that could be used for spares in other locations was sent safely into Network Rail storage, it meant lots of old pieces of equipment were destined to be lost from the railway – until the three groups stepped in.

Thanks to close partnership working with Northumberland County Council, the groups – Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway, Northumberland Line Heritage Community Group and Choppington Parish Council – jumped at the chance to grab a piece of history, with each claiming various items from the old signal boxes at Marcheys House and North Seaton.

Fiona Blyth, sponsor for Network Rail’s North and East route said: “There’s always a clamour to get hold of pieces of railway heritage, particularly in the north east, and while for practical and operational reasons we can’t keep or donate every piece of equipment that comes out of now-redundant signal boxes, we’re always thrilled when we can pass items over to groups who will lovingly preserve them.”

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, added: "While the Northumberland Line is very much looking to the future, it's important to remember the proud history and heritage of the railway both in our county and the wider North-East.

"We're pleased to have been able to help these three local groups secure items from the old signal box as we look ahead to passenger trains running along the line once again in the very near future."

The specific items donated were two diagrams from Marcheys House and North Seaton signal boxes (Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway, Northumberland Line Heritage Community Group) and a sign from Marcheys House signal box (Choppington Parish Council)