THE SIGNAL BOX AT ROMSEY SHOW

Well, not literally!

On Saturday the 13th September we took our display.

We also took one of the interactive displays from the Discovery Centre and the Cowley Bridge Trainer.

 

Aaron and Noah operating Cowley Bridge trainer.

Another view, with John talking to a visitor on the far left.

We were just inside the model railway marquee.

It proved to be a very worth-while exercise as the marquee welcomed more than 2000 visitors throughout the day.

A lot of interest was taken in our stand and we gave out lots of leaflets. John and myself talked to many people, including younger visitors, whose interest perked up when told it was "hands on" and they would be encouraged to pull the levers and operate the signals and points in the real signal box.

I feel confident that we will get some visitors at the box as a result of our efforts.

Myself (Dave), Aaron and Noah took turns at operating Cowley Bridge. Quite a bit of interest was shown with several people asking about it.

There was quite a lot of sunshine throughout the day but also some heavy showers. At one point the marquee was full of people sheltering from a downpour.

A good day, but quite long and tiring!

Dave

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ETC... 

On Saturday the 16th August we held our Annual General Meeting after the open day. This was followed by the usual "bun fight", an American supper.

No doubt a report of the AGM will appear elsewhere in due course.

What is worth reporting is the list of achievements at the box between last years AGM and this one.

It's quite an impressive list and highlights the work that goes on behind the scenes...

• Opening of the Audrey Gebbie Discovery Centre by Audrey in Sept 24: a special day indeed.
• New signage strategically placed around the site. These new signs are very clear and impressive. worth studying next time you are on site.
• New leaflets and trail guide for visitors.
• Sleepers changed and track ballast topped up.
• Facing point lock installed. Thanks to Bob Howes of Watercress Line for the components.
• Associated detection on the point installed and linked to relocated ground signal.
• Another loco (LSWR M7) purchased for the signalling demonstration railway in the discovery centre and further developments being planned.
• A programme of schools visits has started, co-ordinated by Hampshire Country Council education department, mainly for Special Educational Needs. Overall a positive experience, and a real breakthrough.
• Group visits have been organised for Scouts, Cubs and Brownies, and other groups such as U3Aand the Southampton Transport Heritage Trust. A group visit by pupils from Totton college was run by Noah and Hayden who both attend there.
• The long discussed clear out of the shed and lean-to released lots of surplus equipment which was donated to Swanage, Shillingstone and the Watercress Line. In return items for new displays have been acquired.
• Annie has joined Clarabelle on the garden railway (another coach, for those who don’t remember the Awdry railway stories).
• Cowley Bridge Junction has been handed over by Alan Johnston and Andy Wright is looking after it. We also now have the training unit for CBJ. Transporting the full Cowley Bridge Jn installation is difficult and causes faults, and so the training unit will be used for Romsey Show.
• Work has started on a new computerised simulator for Romsey SB.
• We had official visits by the local MP ( Caroline Nokes) and three Mayors (Romsey Town Mayors from 2024 and 2025, and the 2024 Mayor of Test Valley).
• Signalling appreciation courses have been held by Colin Varney for members and will be offered to the public.
• Visits were made to St Albans signal box plus the Gartell Light Railway and Shillingstone. Further visits are proposed. These are by minibus which is kindly organised and driven by Dick.

PHEW!

There was a great deal of other work carried out throughout the year by various volunteers, for which we are extremely grateful.

All this means the signal box site is becoming a very professional, well structured and organised attraction. We regularly receive high praise from the visiting public, which is very rewarding.

Dave

THEATRE PRODUCTION OF "THE SIGNALMAN" 

We received the following email from Clare Larkin and thought it may be of interest.

Just dropping a quick email as we are currently putting on a production of 'The Signalman' by Charles Dickens starring John Burton and Chris Walker. 

Is there anyway this could be advertised for your followers as they may like to see it.

I attach details here :    http://www.middlegroundtheatre.co.uk/Wordpress/the-signalman/

With thanks 

--

Clare Larkin

Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd 

07711 052561 

-----

They are at Salisbury Playhouse from Monday the 15th to Saturday the 20th September 2025.

Dave

SIGNAL BOX "AWAY DAY"

 Yesterday, Sunday the 29th June, several of the friends of Romsey Signal Box had a day out.

We went by mini-bus into Dorset. We visited the Gartell Light Railway and then on to Shillingstone.

The Gartell Light railway photos and video.

A couple of photos from Shillingstone.

I think I can say that a good time was had by all.

Our thanks go to Dick for organizing the trip and transport, and also for doing the driving.

FOR INFORMATION...

 The Netley Marsh Steam And Craft Show is in July.

The dates are the 25th, 26th and 27th July 2025.

Here's hoping for good weather!

OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY THE 19TH APRIL

Romsey Town Mayor Cllr John Parker and family visited the signal box site on our last open day.

They are seen here about to have a demonstration of the signal box working.

 NEWS FOR THE 17TH APRIL 2025

Three of our younger members distributing ballast.

Charlie, Edward and Noah requested a private visit to the signal box site, which was arranged for today.  They had a long session operating the main signal box and then went outside in the sunshine to distribute some ballast from the ballast trolley.

I have to say they were all very well behaved and it was a pleasure to have them there.

The newly painted white railings.

Whilst the boys were "playing" Adrian and I got on with some other tasks.

Adrian put some decking oil on the cafe porch, the Cowley Bridge porch and the level crossing. This looks a great deal better and will get another coat in due course.

I wire brushed and painted the white railings, which now look a lot brighter.

The newly lit Cowley Bridge model.

A few days ago I took the Cowley Bridge model home to install some miniature lighting. After several hours of "fiddling" the model now has a light in the entrance porch, a light over the booking desk and even a flickering flame effect in the stove. I re-installed the model yesterday.

Small enhancements such as these can make all the difference.

Dave

APRIL UPDATE...

Our open day today was blessed with glorious sunshine all day.

We had 46 visitors who started to arrive as early as 10.30am. A high proportion of those were willing to gift-aid their entry fee, which really helps us, and so a big thank you for that.

Around the site...

Recently a working party had a good sort out and tidy up around the site. The lean-to (our workshop area) was really tidied up and a new workbench created. One of our volunteers very kindly donated a piller drill which will prove very useful.

To the rear of the lean-to was also cleared of rubbish and swept up. Access is now much improved.

Our tool and equipment shed didn't escape either!

This received a thorough going over, throwing out the rubbish and tidying up the remainder.

After we close to the public it's a free for all to grab any cake that was unsold.

A popular pass time as you can see!

SCHOOL VISITS UPDATE

On Thursday the 13th March we hosted another school visit.

We received some really good feedback and have possibly even recruited another member. The Friends of Romsey Signal Box are delighted and feel we are making a positive contribution to young persons education.

WE'VE SEEN THE LIGHT! 

In the corner of the signal box site there has been a lamp post for several years but without a lantern on the top.

The lantern was donated to us some time ago. It has now been restored and rewired and was installed yesterday, the 27th of February 2025.

 The lantern and installation was a very kind donation from BHM Electrical, for which we are extremely grateful.

The lamp really does look good and is an added "authentic" feature to the site. The next step is to paint the lamp post black, which will be the finishing touch.

Our thanks go again to BHM Electrical, who have been so generous to us over several years.

Dave

SCHOOL VISITS... 

Many of you will be aware that we open on non-normal open days for special visits. This includes things such as U3A, Scout, Cubs and other groups.

We are now hosting school visits. There are several booked throughout this year and hopefully this trend will continue.

The photos in this blog entry were taken during a school visit on Tuesday the 11th February.

The visit lasted about two and a half hours. This being the first of many visits this year was a very interesting exercise for both the signal box staff and the teachers etc. A short "debriefing" afterwards brought up one or two points where slight changes could be useful.

We all hope these visits will be fun and educational for the children and rewarding for the volunteers and school staff.

Our thanks go to both the volunteers for giving up their time and to the schools for visiting us.

Should this sign read "Beware Of Volunteers"?

Only Joking!

First and foremost I do hope everyone has had a lovely festive season and that 2025 will be good to you all. Are you like me and really find it hard to believe that it is 2025 already? It seems the older I get the faster time passes.

Now, this time of year things are pretty quiet at the signal box. The season kicks off again on Saturday the 18th January with the first open day. Things do happen in the background whilst we are closed to the public however.

Various repairs, servicing and maintenance will be going on in preparation for the year ahead. I was there this morning to carry out one or two jobs. One of these was to service and lubricate the garden railway rolling stock.

I also took the opportunity to have a practice operating Cowley Bridge. I didn't appear to crash anything and so hopefully I am getting the hang of it by now!

If anyone has anything to report or perhaps would like to post a photograph or two do get in touch. I'm sure there will be more articles and information posted here in due course.

Best wishes to everyone.

Dave