THE West Somerset Railway has been awarded joint-first prize in the competition for the Westinghouse Signalling Award for the Best Restored Operational Signal Box or Signalling Installation.The steam railway gained the award for its installation of signalling at Bishops Lydeard Station, which was carried out by WSR staff and volunteers from the West Somerset Railway Association.
The project was commissioned to meet the demands of increasing numbers of trains and passengers on the WSR and also as part of the work to upgrade the link with the national rail network at Norton Fitzwarren.
WSR general manager Paul Conibeare and deputy operating superintendent Pat Langan accepted the award at a ceremony in the Merchant Taylors Hall, Threadneedle Street, London.
Mr Conibeare said: “It is always pleasing to receive awards on behalf of the ‘family’ of volunteers and staff who make up the West Somerset Railway, especially as the competition for the Westinghouse Award is truly national and includes Network Rail plus other heritage railways.
“When the Bishops Lydeard project began, we had a Great Western Railway signal box structure and some signal posts without any of the actual signalling arms.
“Now, after many years of hard work, the whole site is fully and correctly signalled with traditional semaphore equipment, and as well as our own trains, the Bishops Lydeard signalmen are controlling an increasing number of excursion trains travelling to and from the mainline network.
“Over the years, many people have worked on the Bishops Lydeard project and all contributions have been invaluable to its success.”
The other joint-winner of the Westinghouse Award was Network Rail for its restoration of the Bury St. Edmunds yard signal box.
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