Follow the development of rail infrastructure from the wooden railways of the 18th century to 21st century technology, including track, signs and lineside equipment.
Railway Infrastructure
1849
Memorial plaque, stone, to commemorate those killed during the construction of the Arthington (Bramhope) Tunnel, Leeds & Thirsk Railway, 1845-1849, erected by James Bray, Contractor, 1849, from Otley churchyard.
Signal box nameboard, Masons Arms Crossing.
Stone rail from the Hay Tor Tramway, Dartmoor, Devon, c. 1826.
Notice, wooden, Shrub Hill Road Level Crossing - Rules.
1930 - 1960
A City of York Council sign for 'Railway Street', removed when it was renamed 'George Hudson Street' in 1971.
Cast iron sign, London & North Eastern Railway, England/Scotland border sign from Deadwater, red letters supported by a white beam, a rose and a thistle, a pike or halberd separates the 2 names at the border, dimensions: 100"H x 179" 15/16 W x 7" 3/8 D, 2450H x4750W x187Dmm.
1850
Railway bridge section, portion of rivetted girder from Britannia Bridge, Menai Straits, with painted inscription LAST RIVET / MARCH 5 1850 / R.STEPHENSON.
Notice, wooden, "ENGINE ASHES ONLY", black on white.
Notice, wooden, "Passengers must not cross the line except by road", white on red.
Weather Vane, Chester & Birkenhead Railway, depicting first locomotive on Chester and Birkenhead Rly 1841, ex Birkenhead.
Sign, enamel, London Midland & Scottish Railway, "LMS CAR PARK", yellow arrow with blue lettering.
1835-1984
Wall plaque, Works Managers, Shildon 1835-1984.
Notice, Cheshire Lines Committee, white letters on black background. "These closets are intended for the convenience of passengers only, workmen, cabmen, fishporters and idlers are not permitted to use them. By order."
1895
Notice, enamel, Dinorwic Quarries Railway, Rules Regulations & Conditions, 1895, in English and Welsh.
Notice, wooden, "None but Company's horses allowed to drink at this trough", ex Camden Goods Depot.
1888; 1984
Rivet, Forth Bridge Railway Co. Iron rivet with round head, mounted on wood base, from Forth Bridge, 1888 (removed 1984). Overall: 60 mm x 122 mm x 70 mm; rivet: 83 mm 41 mm.
1823-1825
Bridge, Stockton & Darlington Railway, cast iron bridge reputed to be the first iron railway bridge, used to span the River Gaunless at West Auckland, designed by George Stephenson, built by John & Isaac Burrell, Newcastle upon Tyne between 1823-1825.
Cast iron notice, Great Southern & Western Railway, Pursuant to section 38 of the Great Southern & Western Railway Act 1903 the public are hereby warned not to Trespass upon this railway.
Footbridge; North Eastern Railway; Cast Iron; ex Percy Main station
Cast iron sign, LNW & LYR, Notice regarding mechanically driven capstans, white letters on black background
1948-1970
Enamel station sign, British Railways (London Midland Region), Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (the longest station name in the world) white letters on maroon, in 3 pieces, each piece 77"x12".
Cast iron notice, Any person who omits to shut and fasten this gate is liable to a penalty not exceeding forty shillings, black letters on white background
Rail chair, Great Northern Railway, cast iron rail chair for double-headed rail, ex Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. Dimensions, 343x117x138mm, Marked "GNR", "G&_", "_nsid_".
Bridge plate, Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway, 114 M&GN, cast iron, oval, white on black.
1875
Bridge notice, Midland Railway, signed James Williams, 1875, white letters on red
Cast iron notice, North Eastern Railway, public warning not to trespass, white letters on black background.
Notice, cast iron, Midland Railway, Bridge weight limits, signed by James Williams, April 28th 1875, black letters on white background
1838
Station Gates, London & Birmingham Railway. Gates from 'Doric Arch' of Euston Station. Heavy wrought iron with ornamental locks bearing L & BR crest.
1810-1835
Sleeper, cast iron, for approximately 17'' gauge track, convex with hollow base, double flanged web along top edge rising to form two chairs, embossed 'A DER 1848', 35'' in length.
Bridge plate, London & North Western Railway & Great Western Railway Joint Lines, L&NWR & GW Joint Lines 1, cast iron, oval.
Totem, aluminium, British Rail (London Midland Railway), Leeds City, Dimensions: overall: 460 mm x 1217 mm x 15 mm.
Sign, "Underground" sign, circular and illuminated internally. Shows large "U" and an arrow.
Notice, metal and wood, Dundalk Newry & Greenore Railway, "Any person committing a nuisance will be prosecuted", white letters on black background with white border.
1901
Cast iron sign, South Eastern & Chatham Railway, Warning. Trespassing. 1901. C. Sheath.
1896
Cast iron sign, West Riding & Grimsby Railway. Public warning not to trespass, 1896.
Cast iron sign, Somerset & Dorset Joint Line, 'Trespassing on the railway' (white on green).
Enamel notice, North Eastern Railway, regarding level crossings, black letters on white background
Cast iron notice, Great Northern Railway, 'Public Warning not to trespass', white letters on black background
Notice - Burry Port & Gwendreath Valley Railway regarding trespassing on the railway, black letters on white background
Laying-out peg, Great Western Railway, original setting-out peg complete with nail on which the line was fixed, recovered in 1934 from the position which indicated the face line of the original station building at Wolverhampton (Low level) Station, opened in 1854, framed and glazed.
Enamel sign, "Wills Capstan Navy Cut Tobacco & Cigarettes" Red & black letters on white, Dimensions: 72"x15"
Enamel sign, Colman's Starch, top half red, bottom half black with white lettering, framed for South Yard events.
Railway sign, British Rail (Scottish Region), PRIZE LENGTH, ex Stanley Junction-Forfar length, metal, cut-away letters
1908
London & North Western Railway chair for BS95 rail, 1905. Chair dated 1908, mounted on sleeper end with brass plate giving details of rails, chairs and fastenings.
1825
Boundary marker, Stockton & Darlington Railway, marked S&DR, stone, c1825.
Cast iron sign, Hull, Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway & Dock Co., Public warning regarding trespass signed G. Scaum, Secretary, white letters on black background.
Signal box nameboard, Widenhaugh East, Dimensions: 79"x12"
1867
Notice, wooden, Newhaven Harbour Co., Byelaws relating to the new bridge at Newhaven, 1867.
1855
Bronze bust of Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Deputy Chairman William Stuart, by Edward Davis, 1855. The bust was mounted on Great Howard Street bridge in Liverpool.
Notice, Southern Railway, Great Western Railway, (SR Private Road): GWR Trespass.
