Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway signals

What could be simpler than tracking down and recording surviving Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway signal arms?

Despite some examples surviving into the 1960s, there does not appear to have been any official attempt to ensure a representative selection were saved for the nation, and the National Railway Museum has part of wooden post with upper quadrant arms. However they do have the wonderful signalling school layout, maintained in full working order and operated regularly.

The list of known examples is disappointingly short. The Bala Lake Railway has the largest collection of LYR signals, whilst the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway has a tall siding signal. Perhaps the best known is the short Raynar Wilson arm and post rescued from the slow lines at Bolton West and now the starter at the Bala Lake Railway's Llanuwchllyn station. The original distant arm is sadly no-longer present on the arm, although there was a bonus L&YR two-arm ground signal protecting the exit from the station loop, which was retired in early 2009, although is currently stored on the railway. This can be seen to the right of the loco - at this time the post was painted white. Both have been repainted in schemes that differ from how they appeared in BR days.

Bala Lake Railway showing L&YR signals from Bolton West as captured by Geoff Cryer on 29 April 1984 showing original BR paint scheme.

Bala Lake Railway showing L&YR signals from Bolton West as captured by Geoff Cryer on 29 April 1984 showing original BR paint scheme. Note the pair of L&YR ground signals to the right of 'Pixie'. These were retired in early 2012 to save further wear and tear, and are currently stored at the railway, along with a L&YR lever frame.

Geoff Cryer photgraphed the signal again, after it was repainted, on 05 May 2002

Geoff Cryer photographed the signal again, after it was repainted, on 05 May 2002. Note the indentations in the front of the post where the distant arm was affixed in L&Y/LMS/BR days. Do check out Geoff's Website which has much of interest for railway enthusiasts. Given its imminent part reopening, Geoff has a wonderful set of images taken on the last day of the Waverley Route on 5 January 1969. Incidentally the first public train due back to Galashields is scheduled for Sunday 6 September 2015.

The Bury Transport Museum is home to two shunting signals complete with posts, one of which is outside the museum and so can be readily photographed.

The latest LYR arm to be auctioned on eBay appeared in late April 2015. The seller was Frank Davis, who acquired it in 2000 from a friend of his brother who had financial problems with his business, and had an interest in railways when he was younger. He had a number plate plus a couple of shed plates that he offered to Frank, and the signal arm came latter when found sorting out an outbuilding. The previous history of the arm is unknown. It subsequently stood against Frank's summer house as a feature. I am grateful to Frank for permission to use his images.

Front aspect of a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LYR) unrestored long shunting signal arm.

Rear aspect of a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LYR) unrestored long shunting signal arm.