TIR is pleased to announce that phase 1 of ‘Operation Axminster’ is complete. This project has taken over 12 months to come to fruition to remove and ultimately re-erect and restore the original LSWR Crossing Keeper’s Box from Axminster Gates (Level Crossing). Network Rail is in the process of an exciting project of line enhancement on the Waterloo - Exeter route that will see an hourly service to london for the first time in over 40 years! As part of the works a three-mile section of the line around Axminster is being re-doubled. TIR’s managing director, Chris Phillimore became aware, through Industry contacts, that the original Box would be in the way of the works which include new signalling controls and re-alignment of the track.
The building which was one of only two remaining along the route is beleived to date from the 1880s and was erected to house the winding wheel for the manual gates and a 6 or 8 lever frame to operate the signals either side of the crossing. The structure is a timber semi-sectional building in softwood with a slate roof and glazed on three sides. Although much altered including erection of a brick chimney at some stage and more recently boarding over 3 of the 4 sliding windows at the front, the building was substantially original. Dismantling has revealed a number of interesting historical features - two sperate locations for the chimney from the original cast-iron stove passing through the roof boarding, the original wooden flooring still showing the shape of the frame where it sat in the floor, a five-foot deep void below with traces of the mountings for the frame and winding gear and much more including a large pile of coal in the corner of the basement!
Phase 2 which wil begin in a week or so will be to concerve, re-erect, and repair the structure at private site in the South-West. This will include using the excellent condition bricks (stamped ‘PINHOE’ in two different styles recovered from the chimney and rear lean-to) to make a new base and manufacture of new windows to replace the missing ones. The work should be complete by the autumn.
To undertake the work TIR had to create and have approved a Work Package Plan and other documentation to NR standard to integrate the works within the overall project. Much of the dismantling was undertaken over 30th / 31st May in connection with a total Blockade of the line. TIR also provided a COSS and suitably workers to undertake the work.
TIR would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance: James Lofts and David Morris at Network Rail, Stuart Barnes and John Skeet of BAM Nuttal Construction and all the other local guys from NR Operations, Bam Nuttal, S&T Cover Ltd who were so helpful!
Photos will be posted on the gallery
Watch this space for progres on Phase 2!
Dear Chris,
Re: Axminster Gates Box
I note with interest that you have obtained this box, an important local landmark for over a hundred years, and although I was concerrned to see that it had been removed, I am encouraged to learn that it has not been lost. May I ask what plans you have for the box, where it may be re-erected, and whether it will be accessible to the public?
Kind regards,
Steve Haynes
Axminster
Steve
Thanks for taking the time to contact us. At the moment the priority is conservation - as with any project like this there are parts that are in better condition than we expected and inevitably the reverse! We are concentrating on acquiring suitable materials to replace rotted parts. We will also need three new windows as they had been removed and boarded over. The next stage is building a brick base (using the bvricks recovered from the chimney and rear lean-to and then starting re-erection.
The location will be private however if you wish to see it or even help out then would you leave your name and contact details on the phone line and we will get in touch.
Regards
Chris Phillimore