PHOTO GALLERY: LONDON, MIDLAND & SCOTTISH RAILWAY

Keswick No1

OPENED: c1932, CLOSED: 1967

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The London, Midland & Scottish Railway erected a new box at Keswick No1 in the early 1930s. Replacing a Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway box of 18-levers, this 20-lever box controlled an identical layout. The reason for renewal is therefore unknown, perhaps it was the result of a fire or structural damage.

Whilst basically to the LMS design of 1930, like at Madeley, the box has a few variations from the standard. The window sections are made up of small panes three-high by two-wide. The Midland Railway had often provided smaller windows on smaller boxes in this way; the reason is unknown, but it may have used up surplus parts from dismantled boxes. Another unusual feature at Keswick No1 was the use of stone for the construction of the lower storey.

A post-abolition photograph of the interior shows the twenty-lever REC-type frame. All the lever pull and description plates have been removed by collectors.

The decline of this route was gradual. In 1966, Keswick became a terminus when the part of the route towards Cockermouth and Workington closed. On 3rd December 1967, all remaining boxes on the line closed, including Keswick No1, and One Engine in Steam working (now known as One Train Working) was introduced, effectively making the line one long dead-end siding from Penrith.

Passenger services were withdrawn altogether on 6th March 1972 and this picture was taken when I called in to pay my last respects two days beforehand. It was my first colour photograph!

There have been proposals to re-open the line, but this has not progressed in recent years.