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

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!