Wittersham Road Lever Frame

Back in the signal box on a sweltering hot day but with a bit of a breeze wafting through the open windows and doors of the box.

Owing to severe fire risk around my signal box a diesel was to provide the motive power to haul the train up the gradients to and from the box. (see extra) The steam engine was just coasting along and not providing any power so not throwing incendiary cinders out of the chimney or from the firebox. The second train was operated by the DMU to further limit the risk of lineside fires.

This meant that the main train was too long for the platform so when crossing the trains I had to reverse the order with the up train coming in first, then the down. We don't like doing this as the up stands on a line without a platform and there is always a risk that passengers may think they're at a station and open the door to step out.....

Today's shot is of the frame and levers at Wittersham Road, they've appeared several times over the years but this particular shot appeared whilst I was standing waiting for a train to arrive. The other extra was taken from the signal box balcony while I was waiting to switch out the box after the last service had passed on its way to Rolvenden.

The day with the railway didn't end there as in the evening there was a members special down the line as a thank you to all the volunteers who gave time and money to the railway over the past 12 months. Not as good as last year; the Jazz Band cancelled at the last minute, it was bring your own food and the steam engine that was due to pilot the diesel was failed owning to a hot axle box. Nevertheless a pleasant evening rolling through the Kent and Susses countryside in the gathering dusk.