Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

Second Signalbox To Be Built From Crossing Keepers Hut

22/2/00

Restoration work began on February 8th on the crossing keepers hut at the entrance to Moorhouse Yard. The hut was formerly used at the Sockburn level crossing where a set of tram tracks also crossed the railway line. It has been sited for some years adjacent to Clems Crossing and Moorhouse signalbox and was formerly used to store signalling equipment. The hut was moved to the site originally by a Jaycees group with the promise of restoration and this has finally commenced. Progress to date has been excellent with the roof now complete and the exterior cladding being replaced.

The second stage of the restoration project will be to relocate the building to the far end of the yard where it will become the Moorhouse South signalbox. To achieve this a concrete block foundation will be built for the lower part of the box and the hut will become the upper part of the box. The new signalbox will have an 18 lever frame.

It is hoped that funds will also be available to restore Moorhouse (North) Signalbox when the Moorhouse South construction is complete. The signalbox which was formerly located at Templeton and has been at Ferrymead for many years, requires new windows, some weather boards replaced, and new steps. The current project with the old crossing keepers hut represents the culmination of several years' effort to get a second signalbox erected at Moorhouse. In 1996 the former Heathcote signalbox was to have been shifted to Ferrymead, but was destroyed by arson only days before its planned relocation. The lever frame from Heathcote and the one from Hornby are at Ferrymead along with other parts.

03/00. Under restoration.	03/00. Present Moorhouse box.