Signal Boxes at the EARM

Chappel North Signal Box.

This signal box controls operations at the Museum - it is located at the end of Platform three (near to the large Restoration Shed)
On operating days visitors have the chance to see a signal a work as he controls the operations within the yard.
This signal box was formerly located at Mistley on the Manningtree to Harwich branch line in Essex, believe to have been built in the 1880s.
It was no longer needed when the Harwich Branch was electrified by British Rail in the 1980s, it was saved from demolition and brought to Chappel in December 1985.

It was renovated and re-erected on the current site and bought into service to replace the original smaller signal box (now Chappel South) - it is a Grade II listed building.

Chappel Main Signal Box.

This signal box can be found right at the end of Platform 1 (Network Rail platform) is the original box that controlled the sections between Chappel and Wakes Colne and Bures on the Stour Valley Line and White Colne on the Colne Valley Line. It also controlled operations within the Chappel and Wakes Colne station yard.

It was taken out of use in 1967 when the branch line was simplified - the removal of all signals and points etc rendered the box redundant.

The Lever Frame had been dismantled by British Railways ready for scrapping, however when the Museum took tenancy of the site, this was reconstructed. It is not possible to use this box to control operations however it has been renovated and equipped as a signaling museum, allowing visitors to pull the levers, examine various telegraph instruments and learn something about when Chappel and Wakes Colne was a busy junction station. The map above the frame gives an idea of the area it could control.

Chappel South Signal Box

At the south end of the site is a third signal box, this is some what smaller than the others but play an important role.
To see this signal box carry on walking past the Miniature railway, past the Permanent Way Display - near to the end of the site on the left will be this small building.

This signal box was from Fotherby Halt in Lincolnshire and is currently used for controlling access to the sidings when shunting takes place.
It was formerly located at the north end of the site where the current Chappel North Signal box stands and was moved in 1985 when the signal box from Mistley arrived.

Shortly after being displaced from Chappel North it was taken to Windsor Safari Park to appear in a drinks commercial. This signal box is not normally used during operating days, but can be staffed to demonstrate the use of single line instruments and bell code communications between signal boxes.