PHOTO GALLERY: WEMYSS PRIVATE RAILWAY

Denbeath Washer

OPENED: 1905   CLOSED: 1970

Click or tap the images for enlarged views

Many of the signal boxes on the Wemyss Private Railway were supplied by the North British Railway.

Denbeath Washer box was an all-timber example of the type illustrated at Cambus Junction – a distinctive feature is the sash windows, rarely found in signal boxes elsewhere.

The signals are identical to those used on the North British Railway too. Notice the unusual pear-shaped spectacles on these Stevens & Sons signals which was another feature of the NBR. The bracket signal in the foreground is of considerable interest because it is in advance of (ahead of) the junction to which it applies – the junction is behind the photographer!

Denbeath Washer box was located at the main coal washery of the network. The line on the left runs to Methil docks whilst the “main line” on the right crosses over it on a bridge and turns almost back on itself to head for East Wemyss.

The lines were signalled solely by telephone.

Inside the box we see the 12-lever Stevens & Sons dwarf frame – these were not specifically designed for use by little people, the name referred to the visible height of the levers. These lever  frames were designed for use in ground-level and low signal boxes, and ground frames, because the raised arrangement allowed all the mechanical needs to be mounted above floor level. In some areas they were unofficially called “knee” frames, probably because many unsuspecting signalmen banged their knees on the casing!

<-- Back to last page