Visit to the Lancashire & Yorkshire School of Signalling Layout at the National Railway Museum in York
(Organised by Manchester Retired Members Section)
About
Originally built by apprentices at the Horwich locomotive works in 1912, the model railway was used by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to train staff from 1913 until 1995 when it was donated to the National Railway Museum and restored to its 1925 condition by volunteers. It uses authentic period signals, block instruments and miniature, fully interlocked, mechanical lever frames. The model allowed signallers to learn in a safe environment. It also allowed staff to learn through accident reconstruction and incident analysis.
During this visit, the errors that led to one of the worst disasters in UK railway history that occurred at Irk Valley Junction, just over a mile from Manchester Victoria Station, will be re-enacted.
The volunteers, who maintain and operate the model, make regular demonstrations for the general public throughout the year. This visit is a special opportunity for a more hands on experience. You will be able to experience the role of a signaller in one of the “signal boxes” on the layout, each of which is equipped with a fully-interlocked miniature lever frame and full size block instruments.
The volunteers are very experienced and knowledgeable and will be happy to answer lots of questions. We are very grateful to all of them for their time and allowing us this privilege.
There will also be time to explore the other exhibits.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
18 Jun 2025
11:00am - 3:30pm
Organiser
- Manchester Local Network
Registration information
On arrival please go directly to the model, at the location given below.
This is a free event. If approached by the museum staff please tells them that you are attending an event at the School of Signalling Layout located in the
Collections Store, North Shed.
Speakers
Allan Lewis
Volunteer - NRM
A volunteer at the NRM and at the Llangollen Railway, Allan is currently working as a shift manager at Piccadilly Station Signalling Centre. He trained as a signalman in 1969 using this layout when it was located at Victoria Station in Manchester.
Phil Graham MBE
Volunteer - NRM
Phil is a former Network Rail Operations Manager and a recognised expert on railway signalling who leads Signalling Rules and Regulation classes and signalling masterclasses.
Reasons to attend
An opportunity to learn about railway signalling.
The volunteers are very experienced and knowledgeable and will be happy to answer lots of questions. We are very grateful to them for their time and for allowing us this privilege.
Programme
Arrival. 10:50 .
Session 1. 11:00 to 12:30
Session 2. 13:30 to 15:30
During each session we will split into small groups so that as many people as possible are able to explore the layout and associated Signalling School exhibits / resources.
Please do your best to arrive for an 11am start but please don’t worry if you arrive a little late, you will still be able to participate.
Visitors are welcome to bring a packed lunch with them to eat on the benches throughout the museum.
The Museum also has a cafe in the Great Hall serving drinks and cakes, sandwiches and salads and a limited range of hot food.