After a brief hiatus in June, while we dealt with other work, re-construction and restoration of the Box began in earnest in July.
After completing the brick base (using reclaimed bricks from the site), a HIAB lorry was used to move the components from temorary store to their new site and erect the main sections. Folowing work then concentrated on fabricating the new lower parts below the windows. Research has failed to pinpoint when this alteration took place but clearly it was brick by the 1960s.
We are trying to conserve as much of the original structure as possible but inevitably some parts such as the barge-boards etc were beyond repair. Much of the original planking had been replaced with modern T&G and replecating the original has been time-consuming and expensive. One very interesting feature was come to light is that an area of the original planking remained within the lean-to shed at the Eastern end and this appears to be in original LSWR salmon and Chocolate colours (under a thin layer of whitewash) and had certainly never been over-painted in SR or BR days. We have decided to paint the Box in SR colours and have retained one of the planks unpainted as a sample.
The next step is completion of painting the outside and laying the slates. We have enough original slates salvaged to do at least one slope but will have to buy some more. Similarly the ridges will need extras and I am looking for someone to turn up replacement finials - the one original will be kept in ‘as is’ condition. We have three out of six of the original sliding sashes (which are repairable) and two of the orininal cast-iron trays for the sliding runners - (why did they remove the other one when they boarded over the front?) three new matching sashes are in production by local a local joiner. The door has been repaired and then we will start on the interior, which will be 90% original.
Researching the exact paint scheme has proved difficult. Refernce to many published texts and photographs has yet to confirm a couple of details particularly the colour of the barge-bords, facias and under eaves - some photo seem to indicate that this was white, though paint evidence on the remaining finial shows cream! Any help on this subject would be appreciated! (unfortunately Mr Prior’s tome on LSWR Boxes does not deal with colour schemes at all!)
We have been offered components for a 3 lever Stevens pattern frame, which is tempting but not a priority for the time being. I have had the priviledge of meeting the owner of the original frame and have been able to pull the levers (one of which operates a genuine LSWR lattice signal). We would also be interested to find a suitable cast-iron stove (with a flat top for tea!) which would have sttod at the rear (presumably on a slate slab or iron tray?)
If anyone is interested in seeing the box (or helping with its restoration, though I must point out that it will remain private property for the foreseeable future), please contact us through the email contact. We are located in the Somerset / Devon / Dorset area and hope to hold an open-day sometime in the future.
I have posted some photos on our gallery page: www.tir-ltd.co.uk/galleries/our-work/axminster-signal-box
Chris Phillimore