kenyon junction signal box ?

[locospotter]

does anyone know if there was more than one signal box at kenyon junction as my grandfather worked there in the 1940s. i used to visit him there many times during my school days, my father worked at dallam shed 8b from 1927 untll the 1960s, starting as a cleaner and working his way up to shedmaster until it closed, he also worked at preston, crewe, and chester up to 1965

[Torquay]

Hi locospotter, only just noticed your post of the 19th June their was only the one box at kenyon junction,passed it on a regular basis as i am an ex Patricroft man,used to be able to get some good speeds going over the moss from kenyon. One always knew when you were on the moss even with your eyes closed as the loco used to vibrate,and more so with a BR as we called them; a standard 5. Nice to know your grandad was a Dallam man may have even seen him over the years;who knows.Go well. Torquay.

[Torquay]

Hi again locospotter,apologies,i should have said your father i may have seen. I transfered to Crewe in1965 from Patricroft,and went to South shed,although i signed on more at the bungalow than the shed. As you probably know south shed closed in 1967, so it was just paraffin cans and electric boxes,ie diesels / electrics. Torquay.

[John H-T]

Welcome to the Forum locospotter.Look forward to stories of your Father and Grandfather.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[Ex Signalman]

There were actually 2 signal boxes at kenyon junction at one time,they were. . .
Kenyon junction no2,a 60 lever LNWR box (located on the down side,close to wilton lane overbridge on the now lifted branch to leigh & 556 yards from kenyon junction no1 box).

Kenyon junction no1,a 72 lever LNWR box (located on the down main at the liverpool end of the platform).

When kenyon junction no2 box closed on the 17th december 1967,kenyon junction no1 box just became simply kenyon junction up until it too closed on the 17th september 1972 under stage of the warrington power signal box resignalling.

Allthough i never worked the boxes at kenyon i did later work as a relief signalman with Alan Pomfret (at crow nest jct box) & Jimmy Dawson (at glazebrook east jct box),Alan & Jimmy were some of the last signalmen who worked at Kenyon no1,Great people to work alongside,they were real characters.

Hope this helps

[Dr Jazzburger]

I used to live in Culcheth and used to cycle down to Lowton often. I was fascinated by the little bridge over the railway line just close to Culcheth golf course (not sure if it had another name) and used to watch the diesels thunder by below.

I did get to see inside what I now think must have been Kenyon no 1. Probably I made a nuisance of myself, especially when the locos I have heard referred to as the 'whistlers' used to stop right by the box on the Liverpool-bound line and I wanted to look down into the fans. I used to go probably 1968 or 1969.

Does anyone remember the names of the signalmen working there then? I think the one who recognised my enthusiasm for big diesels had a Scottish name, but it's over 40 years since - I could have got that wrong. Been wracking my brains over this one for days now . Hope someone can help...

[Sentinel]

A friendly welcome from me too, dear locospotter.

[DSY011]

Hello locospotter and welcome to the Railway Forum. Sorry I'm late welcoming you but I have been having a few problems with my PC. I have a new one now.

[Dr Jazzburger]

I think I answered my own question - it came out of the blue after days of racking my little brain. I think the name of the signalman I met at Kenyon Junction was Kirkpatrick - does that ring any bells (no pun intended) with anyone?

[jbmack]

Hi Locospotter
I started on the railways as a box lad at Kenyon Jct No1 in 1957 I remember it well Gas lights chemical toilet and no running water, it was the box lads job to carry water from the station in two white cans.
I left Kenyon in 1961 when I transferred to Dallam Branch Sidings box.
EX Signalman I see Jimmy Dawson second thursday of the month at the railway pensioners meeting in Wigan, I worked Glazebrook East a few tmes when it came under Warrington until 1989.
jbmack