Second coming for iconic signal box in Deepings
St James Deeping signal box, which was dismantled brick-by-brick in October 2014, is set to be rebuilt and used as a railway heritage centre.
A campaign was launched by the Deeping St James community who were angry when Network Rail demolished the building, built in 1876, to make way for new electric crossing gates.
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Hide AdThe campaign, called Save Our Signal Box and backed by parish, district and county councillors, along with South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes, looks like achieving its goal after years of hard work by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Campaigner and Deeping St James Parish councillor Stuart Hall said: “It has taken a lot of time and effort to get to this stage but I’m delighted we now have government funding lined up to purchase the land and planning permission for a site just slightly further along the line than its original location.
“The signal box is an important part of our heritage and I look forward to seeing it back in position.”
The dismantled signal box was been kept in storage by Network Rail before it was moved to a secure location by the St James Deeping Signal Box Group.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, model railway enthusiast Neil Mason of Peterborough is holding a silent auction of a watercolour painting featuring the signal box to raise funds for its reconstruction.
To bid, e-mail [email protected]