SPS Visit to Lancashire & Yorkshire Signal School Layout at the NRM

We are delighted to have arranged a visit to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Signal School Layout at the National Railway Museum on Saturday 8th November.

The Signalling School Model Railway has been used to put would-be railway signallers through their paces for over 100 years. It uses authentic period signals, block instruments and miniature mechanical lever frames to show how trains negotiate round the rail network safely. It is the only one of its kind and it’s still used by Network Rail.

The layout requires a whole team staff to operate it, including signalmen, drivers and an ‘explainer’. It operates in half-hour blocks through the day, giving a basic demonstration of railway signalling operations, and then progressing into a busy operating period.

The volunteer group supporting and operating it have done an excellent job making the layout authentic, educational and accessible to those with little knowledge of signalling. It is an example we will do well to follow!

As part of this Swindon Panel visit you will be able to turn your hand to being a signalman in one (or more!) of the signal boxes on the layout, each of which is equipped with a fully-interlocked miniature lever frame and full size block instruments. Each attendee will be allocated two half-hour slots on the layout during the day. At least one session observing others operating is definitely recommended for enjoyment and appreciation.

That also gives plenty of time for a good look round the rest of the National Railway Museum, exploring hundreds of years of railway history and thousands of objects that shaped its course.

Places on the Panel Society visit cost £10, which includes the ‘suggested donation’ for entry to the NRM and to the group who operate the L&Y Layout.

How to book

In order to confirm your place on this outing please send us your ticket money by one of the following methods:

* CARD payments can be made via HOPS. Please follow the link, add the ticket to your basket, and checkout in the normal way.

* CASH delivered in person to a Society official (Danny, Tom, Tim, Brian, James)
Please help us by enclosing in an envelope with details of the booking on it.

* CHEQUE made payable to ‘Swindon Panel Society’ sent to Brian Davis at 5 Tavy Close, Didcot, Oxon. OX11 7XR
Please include a covering note with details of the booking on it.

* ONLINE banking transfer. Account name: Swindon Panel Society. Account number: 2058 5616. Sort Code 60-11-28. Please make the ‘reference’ your name so that we know who the money has arrived from and email us with the details of the booking.

We will confirm receipt of all ticket money.

Event cancellation, etc: If the event is cancelled we will refund ticket prices, but can’t make refunds for travel or hotel bookings that you have made.

Questions?

If there are any problems or queries please let us know!