Bewdley South Signal Renewal

The main post on the existing bracket was rotten around its base. A new main post has been ordered and while it is down, the entire signal is having a full refurbishment - replacement of corroded parts of the bracket work, rebushing of all cranks and spindles, new arms, repaint, etc... So when it goes back up it should be good for another 75 years. It will be back in full use during 2006 (no specific date for this yet!).

As it is down for for a number of months, a temporary signal has been erected which will be taken down once the bracket is recommissioned. A lot of work has gone into making and erecting the temporary signal, and working on the bracket now it's down.

The temporary signal has two 4 foot arms on a single post, the top one reading into the down main and the lower one into the back road. There is a disk at the foot of the post reading into the rock siding. There is no signal provided for moves into the down yard from the Kidderminster line. As the distant arms for Bewdley North are not provided on the temporary signal, the Bewdley South down distant by the tunnel has been disconnected and will remain fixed at caution until the refurbed bracket goes back up.

The newly commissioned temporary signal in use while the bracket is taken down for repair. October 14th 2005. Photo: Paul Pearson

Since the signal was re-erected in May, work continued on thoroughly refurbishing the fittings. The signal was finally complete and re-commissioned Sunday 27th August.

Further details of the project can be found in issue No 154 from the SVR S&T.

Photos: 23rd and 26th September, Paul Bennett and Colin Jenkins

Further images of Bewdley south signal with more fittings added. Taken early morning, 5th May 2006.

Photos: Colin Jenkins

This sequence of pictures shows Bewdley south signal being moved from the cattle dock and re-erected with the help of the 30 ton steam crane. Photographed 3rd May 2006. There's still much fitting work to do before it can be fully recommissioned. Photos: Colin Jenkins. Notes: Adrian Hassell.

Lifting the signal from the car park onto the train of flat wagons on the down main. The Wagon dept. formed up the train and cleared the down yard on Monday in preparation for this.

'Planting' the signal. The lifting bracket was required as the 30 ton crane wouldn't have the jib height to lift & manoeuvre the entire post above the ground. There is a further 7'6" of the post in the hole.

The signal lying in the car park with as many fittings as could be put on prior to the lift. Also, the special lifting bracket made by Bridgnorth MPD can be seen, attached to the holes for the Bewdley North down main distant signal motor on the main post.

April 2006

After a hectic weekend's work the signal begins to look like it's old self. The signal is laying on its front to allow the staging to be built up on the back.

Positioning the shorter doll.

The two, original, short dolls under the goods shed canopy for repainting.

The extra bracket on the main post is for lifting. It's mounted here as the crane's jib is shorter than the post.

The repaired and repainted bracket ready for re-assembly.

Tony Neath working on the new main post for the Bewdley South bracket. Photos: Colin Jenkins.