Correspondence relating to the purchase of Ais Gill signal box by the Midland Railway Trust

MIDLAND RAILWAY TRUST LTD

Date 13-9-81
Your reference
Our reference ACQ/JBR

Please reply to [ADDRESS REDACTED]

Dear [NAME REDACTED],

Further to our telephone conversation I confirm that the Trust wishes to acquire the former Midland Railway signal box from Ais Gill on the Settle-Carlisle line. Since the aim would be to preserve the box at the Midland Railway Centre for all time as a special display item either in or adjacent to the museum or on the working line, would it be possible to acquire the box in complete condition including full lever frame, all instruments, signal box nameboards, and all signal box furniture, recording desk, chair, stove, clock etc?

Could you please look into this matter on our behalf and let me know the possibilities as soon as you have completed your enquiries.

Yours faithfully,
[SIGNATURE / NAME REDACTED]

British Rail (London Midland)

[NAME REDACTED]
Vice Chairman,
[ADDRESS REDACTED]

y/r:
o/r: 400-500-81

Date: 12th October, 1981.

Dear [NAME REDACTED],

Following receipt of your letter dated 13th September concerning the purchase of the Ais Gill Signal Box Structure and contents I have been in contact with all the departments concerned and am pleased to inform you that no objections have been raised to your proposal.

However the Divisional Civil Engineer has laid down several conditions to be applied to this sale. These are :-

1) The method of recovering the box to be approved by the D.C.E.
2) The work to be supervised by DCE staff and carried out to his satisfaction.
3) The work to be carried out during a possession of the line.
4) No work to commence without previously detailed protection being in attendance.
5) The site must be re-instated to the DCE's satisfaction.
6) Any damage to BR property must be made good at your own cost.
7) The work to be done without cost to BR, any costs incurred being reimbursed.
8) Attached Indemnity Clause.

The DCE also points out that the box is in poor condition there being extensive rot in the main members, stairs and landing.

So far as fittings are concerned the only items of furniture that remain are one table and one cupboard plus a chair which is not railway issue and is in very poor condition.

The clock was stolen in 1978 as were the nameboards and all the electrical instruments have been removed, but as far as I am aware the lever frame remains as does the block shelf.

In the circumstances I feel the best way forward would be for you to make me an offer to purchase this box which should be exclusive of VAT (15%).

I therefore look forward to hearing further from you on the matter.

Yours sincerely,
[SIGNATURE REDACTED]
for Stores Controller.

MIDLAND RAILWAY TRUST LTD

Date 26.5.82

Your reference 400-500-sig 12/10/81

Please reply to [ADDRESS REDACTED]

Dear Sir,

AIS GILL SIGNAL BOX

We have now completed our inspections @ the above box and in spite of its poor condition, worn lever frame and missing name boards & other equipment we wish to acquire it for preservation at the Midland Railway Centre.

Work on its recovery could commence at an early date and would involve completely dismantling into sections and manhandling the pieces to the road bridge some 200 yards away.

Since the box is not immediately adjacent to the nearest running line we would wish to supply our own B.R. passed-out lookout man for protection, as on precious exercises in Nottingham Division.

We would clear the site of all materials and leave it to the satisfaction of your local representative.

In view of the costs of removal and the difficulty we hope you will feel able to accept an offer of £75 + VAT. I look forward to a favourable reply, Yours faithfully [SIGNATURE / NAME REDACTED]
Vice-chairman

British Rail (London Midland) Euston House

[NAME REDACTED]
Vice Chairman
[ADDRESS REDACTED]

y/r:
o/r: 400-500-81

Date: 18th June, 1982

Dear Sir,

Re Ais Gill Signal Box

Thank you for your letter dated 26th May, 1982 in which I note you confirm your interest in obtaining the above signal box.

The D.C.E. at Preston has no objection to your making use of your own lookout providing he has a current certificate enabling him to carry out these duties. The D.C.E. will also require from you in writing your proposed method of working to enable him to assess if additional protection is necessary.

As long as you agree to these conditions plus those listed in my original letter to you on the subject dated 12th October, 1981, I accept your offer of £75-00 plus £11-25 V.A.T. and on receipt of your remittance, made payable to British Rail, I will send you a letter of authority to liaise with the D.C.E. regarding the removal of this structure.

Yours faithfully
[SIGNATURE REDACTED]
for Stores Controller

[HANDWRITTEN ANNOTATION: "Job completed see Wyvern 51"]

British Rail (London Midland)

[NAME REDACTED]
Vice Chairman,
Midland Railway Trust Ltd.,
[ADDRESS REDACTED]

y/r:
o/r: 400-500-81

Date: 18th November 1982

Dear [NAME REDACTED],

RE — AIS GILL SIGNAL BOX.

With reference to your letter dated 29th August concerning information regarding the above structure, I give below the results of my findings:-

(1) No records available as to date of erection, alterations or repairs.

(2) Copy of diagram dated 1975 available for sale priced at £2 + 30p V.A.T.

(3) No photographs exist in Regional Library held by PR & PO - suggest that you contact Oxford Publishing Co to see if any are available through our joint publishing venture.

(4) The box was last open on a "regular" basis on 28-7-78.

(5) The box was last opened for a "special" reason on 17-12-78.

(6) Official date of closure 28-1-82.

(7) Train Register dated 1972/73 available for sale priced at £1.00.

I am sorry therefore that I am unable to assist you on all the points you raised but trust that the items now available will be of assistance to you.

Yours faithfully,
[SIGNATURE / NAME REDACTED]
for Stores Controller