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Wednesday, 17 March 2010Shaw and Crompton Signal Box

The Victorian railway signal box at Beal Lane in Shaw and Crompton is being removed this week as part of work to convert the Oldham Loop Line to Metrolink.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) had hoped to find a group willing to salvage the signal box but the pre-demolition survey discovered asbestos within the fabric of the building, meaning it could not be saved.

However, following discussions with GMITA and MPact-Thales, the company delivering the new Metrolink line, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) accepted an invitation to recover the levers, power switches and other electrical and mechanical equipment from within the signal box, which will now be used to replace or renew components on the ELR line.

In addition, to preserve the memory of this important piece of local rail heritage, the name plate from the footbridge at Shaw and Crompton has been recovered by GMPTE for posterity.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of GMITA, said: "We are delighted ELR has been able to save some of the internal workings from the Shaw and Crompton signal box, which will be put to good use on their historical railway line.

"Unfortunately it was not possible to save the signal box itself but I am sure the building, which has been captured in many wonderful photographs and pictures over the years, will live long in the memories of local people."

Oldham Councillor Howard Sykes added: "I am very pleased that a part of the history of Shaw and Crompton Rail Station will continue with the various elements of the signal box being used on the ELR line."

As well as recovering internal apparatus from the Shaw and Crompton signal box, the ELR have also successfully salvaged equipment from the Oldham signal box.

ELR general manager Andy Coward said: "Opportunities such as this are extremely rare and we appreciate GMITA inviting us to recover as much as we could from the boxes at both Oldham and Shaw and Crompton.

"We have four signal boxes on the East Lancashire Railway and the equipment we salvaged will be used within those boxes to support the operation of the ELR now and into the future."

Media contact: Shirley Kernan on 0161 244 1055 or email: mediarelations@gmpte.gov.uk

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