Then & Now: Sleaford Junction Signalbox, Boston

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The very tall signalbox at Sleaford Junction towered above the properties on King Street. It controlled the locomotive and goods yard and the junction where the line from Sleaford joined the East Lincolnshire Main Line. Opened by the Great Northern Railway in 1875, it was lengthened in 1897. With the reduction of sidings in the goods yard, the 40 levers were reduced to 30 in 1972. Eventually the Box was closed completely on 19th May 1974, being replaced by a ground frame as the number of siding had been reduced yet again as the amount of goods traffic had diminished. The structure remained in place until its demolition in 1980.

My photo shows it a few months before it was denolished and minus its name board (wonder if that still exists in somebody's collection?). A contrasting modern day Google Street View image is shown beneath, the location of the Box being at the end of King Street.

A map of the area. Note the footbridge close by which once gave access to the long gone Locomotive Street and Engine Shed.

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