The Museum was delighted to bid successfully over the telephone - a first for us - for a GWR Webb & Thompson Train Staff which came up for sale in Derby on 5 December.

The Staff, about 2ft long, has the section names "Chacewater" and "St Agnes" embossed on brass plates affixed to one end, and brass rings around the central steel column. This token-section on the Chacewater - Newquay branchline came into existence in either late 1924 when the Blackwater Junction North signalbox closed, or in early 1937 when a new signalbox was built at St Agnes.

The engine driver passed the staff to the signalman who placed it into a machine in the signalbox where it acted as a key enabling the signalman to operate the points or signal levers.

The brass rings were critically spaced so that a particular staff would only fit into the correct machine. Brass was used so that the machine itself didn't get damaged. There were apparently several such staves so that several trains could use the branchline, but only one could be in the section at a time.

There was a similar set for the St Agnes - Perranporth section, but the end was painted red instead of green.

The Museum is very grateful to everyone who has contributed to our New Purchases Fund so that we were able to buy the Staff.

 

Other exhibitions in 2010

Train staff with section name St Agnes

Train staff with section name Chacewater

Train staff

Click images to enlarge