Saltersford Signal Box

[Iron Duke]

I'm trying to gather information about the former Saltersford signal box that was situated on the ECML between Ponton and Grantham.
The area was originally known as 'Salter's Ford' and the box was removed after it became redundant.
Any information greatfully received

[thesignalman]

The last box here opened in 1874 and closed in 1932 (there had been an earlier one opened in 1872 which is likely to have been very basic) and had a 15 lever frame fitted in 1884.

It was located on the Up side, just south of the 104 mp, near to Salter's Ford, as you say. Saltersford was no doubt a typical railway corruption of the name, probably caused by hand-written transcription errors.

It controlled the three running lines at this location, including connections between them and a short siding serving what was presumably a narrow-gauge tramway to the Grantham Water Works.

John

[StevieG]

Iron Duke, you may know that a Down loop line off the Down Main existed in the area, referred to by railwaymen that I knew much later, as Saltersford loop, but I believe that this was at some period subsequent to 1932, and I have always had the impression that there was therefore no signal box locally there to control it; perhaps it was controlled from Grantham South box.

[Iron Duke]

Many thanks for this information Gents, it is very much appreciated.
Interesting to hear about the potential narrow gauge tramway to Grantham Water Works too!

[thesignalman]

Many thanks for this information Gents, it is very much appreciated.
Interesting to hear about the potential narrow gauge tramway to Grantham Water Works too!

To some extent that is guesswork. But according to maps it was not connected to the siding which certainly suggests some sort of wagonway or tramway. The link it made to the water works was very short.

John

[Hatfield Shed]

Have you access to the well illustrated* GNR signalling volume compiled by Michael Vanns? I cannot tell you if there is a picture of Saltersford box, but if the signalbox type is known there will probably be a photo of a similar box elsewhere on the GNR/GN section. It's one weakness is no index of all the signalboxes illustrated, and I mean to do someday what has been performed for other reference volumes (not railway related) and compile a more complete index for it.

*There may be a Stirling, Ivatt, Gresley or Peppercorn design racing toward a few lattice post somersaults in the picture too, as a bonus. And rolling stock and much other detail that happened along into frame. It's an excellent book for the photos alone, and there's more, much more.

[Iron Duke]

Thank you very much. There seems to be several copies of the Michael Vanns book available online so I'll get one on order!

[Mickey]

Saltersford box gets a name check in the official accident report to the 1906 Grantham crash.

Signalman Day in Grantham South box said that he had received train entering section from Saltersford at 11:01pm and the express took the usual time to travel through the section.

[Iron Duke]

Thanks Mickey, that's very useful information.