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Chartham signalbox to close in 2022?

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Islineclear3_1

Islineclear3_1

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This caught my attention today and the plan includes Wye (ground frame) and Grain crossing. Anyone have any more specific details please?

www.kentonline.co.uk

Battle to save rare Victorian railway signal box from demolition

Villagers are rallying to save an "iconic" Victorian signal box from the scrapheap after Network Rail revealed is set to be demolished next year.
www.kentonline.co.uk www.kentonline.co.uk

A bid is being made to save a charming Victorian signal box which is set to be demolished by Network Rail next year.

The green wooden hut at Chartham, near Canterbury, dates back to 1888 and overlooks one of only three remaining manned barrier crossings in Kent, which are being automated for safety reasons.
 
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yorksrob

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Wye box has looked as though it's already been closed for the last fifteen years !

Chatham always looks well cared for though.
 
Islineclear3_1

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There's an interface in the booking office at Wye to the Canterbury-Wye-Area Control-Area into which the gatekeeper inserts a key. I'm not an expert on the specifics of operation but my understanding is that the signaller at CWACC releases the gate mechanism at both Wye and Chartham to enable the gatekeeper to open and close the gates when trains are due. There is a ground locking/release frame next to the crossing at Wye and I presume there is a similar arrangement in Chartham box
 
yorksrob

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Islineclear3_1 said:
There's an interface in the booking office at Wye to the Canterbury-Wye-Area Control-Area into which the gatekeeper inserts a key. I'm not an expert on the specifics of operation but my understanding is that the signaller at CWACC releases the gate mechanism at both Wye and Chartham to enable the gatekeeper to open and close the gates when trains are due. There is a ground locking/release frame next to the crossing at Wye and I presume there is a similar arrangement in Chartham box
Click to expand...

Ah, so Wye box is actually OOU.
 
30907

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Wye is IIRC already listed along with several on the Medway Valley to the same design as Chartham. HE did an extensive (and expert) listing of signalboxes some time ago, and each listing will have a specific rationale in the description.
 
yorksrob

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Islineclear3_1 said:
Yes, it closed in 2003 when the area was resignalled. The entrance steps were removed at some point, unless they are locked inside the box for safekeeping
Click to expand...

Ah cheers. It could do with a once over with the paintbrush anyway !
 
Islineclear3_1

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Thinking about it, I remember the original plan was to abolish the CWACC, Chartham gate box and Wye ground frame around this time (The out-of-date Signalbox Section C has this too) with control going over to South Kent Operations Centre at Ashford. This included Canterbury West and Minster.

I presume the plan at present is to install MCB-CCTV or OD crossings, supervised from CWACC (which operates two crossings at Chilham). Canterbury West & Minster to remain for the time being

Happy to be corrected/updated.

It's on the line to my parents, and thus I have fond memories as a kid
 
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Peregrine 4903

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Islineclear3_1 said:
Thinking about it, I remember the original plan was to abolish the CWACC, Chartham gate box and Wye ground frame around this time (The out-of-date Signalbox Section C has this too) with control going over to South Kent Operations Centre at Ashford. This included Canterbury West and Minster.

I presume the plan at present is to install MCB-CCTV or OD crossings, supervised from CWACC (which operates two crossings at Chilham). Canterbury West & Minster to remain for the time being

Happy to be corrected/updated.

It's on the line to my parents, and thus I have fond memories as a kid
Click to expand...
Sturry signal box is still going strong too!
 
Islineclear3_1

Islineclear3_1

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Chartham signalbox will now not be demolished. Whether or not it will remain in its present location remains to be seen

www.kentonline.co.uk

Victorian signal box saved from demolition by villagers

A charming 19th century signal box destined to be knocked down has been saved following a successful campaign by villagers.
www.kentonline.co.uk www.kentonline.co.uk

A charming Victorian signal box destined to be demolished has been saved following a successful campaign by villagers.

The 19th century hut in Chartham, near Canterbury, was due to be knocked down when the manually-operated barrier crossing becomes automated next year.
Click to expand...

Any news yet on the works design/scope for the area?
 
pdeaves

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Islineclear3_1 said:
Chartham signalbox will now not be demolished. Whether or not it will remain in its present location remains to be seen

www.kentonline.co.uk

Victorian signal box saved from demolition by villagers

A charming 19th century signal box destined to be knocked down has been saved following a successful campaign by villagers.
www.kentonline.co.uk www.kentonline.co.uk



Any news yet on the works design/scope for the area?
Click to expand...
Article includes:
"Network Rail will retain ownership of the signal box, so they will continue to be responsible for maintenance, etc, going forward."
Click to expand...
Why is the railway industry so expensive? One reason (among many, admittedly) is having to keep hold of unnecessary liabilities!
 
Islineclear3_1

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I couldn't understand this either, unless Network Rail has plans for another use for it. Can't think what for as I thought the space would be needed for the crossing equipment.

Canterbury East, although listed, is still extant and unused, although there have been no signs of maintenance.
 
eastwestdivide

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30907 said:
Wye is IIRC already listed along with several on the Medway Valley to the same design as Chartham. HE did an extensive (and expert) listing of signalboxes some time ago, and each listing will have a specific rationale in the description.
Click to expand...
On the Historic England site at
historicengland.org.uk

The List Search Results | Historic England

historicengland.org.uk historicengland.org.uk
Searching for "signal", and restricting the search via the drop-down to "Kent" gives only:

Canterbury W and E
Shepherds Well
Snodland
Wateringbury
Maidstone W
Aylesford

(and I also tried "box" and "Kent"- no others)
 
Islineclear3_1

Islineclear3_1

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Several other signal boxes have been demolished to make way for crossing equipment/wig-wags/barriers/OD etc. I can't see any other place it could go at Chartham

eastwestdivide said:
On the Historic England site at
historicengland.org.uk

The List Search Results | Historic England

historicengland.org.uk historicengland.org.uk
Searching for "signal", and restricting the search via the drop-down to "Kent" gives only:

Canterbury W and E
Shepherds Well
Snodland
Wateringbury
Maidstone W
Aylesford

(and I also tried "box" and "Kent"- no others)
Click to expand...
I think Shepherd's Well box was moved to the nearby East Kent railway. Canterbury West, Wateringbury and Maidstone West are still in use
 
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JammyJames08

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My photo of Chartham. March 2002
 

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steamybrian

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eastwestdivide said:
On the Historic England site at
historicengland.org.uk

The List Search Results | Historic England

historicengland.org.uk historicengland.org.uk
Searching for "signal", and restricting the search via the drop-down to "Kent" gives only:

Canterbury W and E
Shepherds Well
Snodland
Wateringbury
Maidstone W
Aylesford

(and I also tried "box" and "Kent"- no others)
Click to expand...
Are the crossing boxes at East Farleigh and Grain Crossing still in use..?
 
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EveningStar

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30907 said:
Wye is IIRC already listed along with several on the Medway Valley to the same design as Chartham. HE did an extensive (and expert) listing of signalboxes some time ago, and each listing will have a specific rationale in the description.
Click to expand...
For a recent piece of research, which is now peer reviewed and publication is due this month, I collated a full list of every listed signal box in Great Britain. Wye was considered for listing and rejected, Historic England decision 23 July 2013, Reasons for currently not Listing the Building.
 
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