FEATURE OF BRIGG RAILWAY LINE GETTING PROTECTION

Public transport users and railway enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that an historic feature on the Brigg Line is receiving some TLC (tender loving care) to help protect it against the elements for years to come.
Network Rail's Brigg signalbox is to be repainted - the colours chosen, we gather, being buttermilk and black.
The wooden cabin - alongside the A1084 near Bigby Road, Bigby High Road and Westrum Lane - dates back to the 19th century.
These pictures show some of the on-site workers beginning the task.
Thanks go to the Independent Brigg Line Rail Group for informing us yesterday that the refurb was under way, and also suggesting the colours to be used.
Many traditional signalboxes, like the one beside the A1084 in Brigg, have been taken out of service in recent decades - often allied to the introduction of modern colour-light signals to replace traditional level-operated semaphore types with lifting metal arms.
In this category are the huge 137-lever early 20th century Wrawby Junction 'box' and Barnetby East, near the railway village station and adjoining the recently built Co-op food store.
Despite being disused, both boxes are still standing, and Wrawby's is grade two listed, being a fine brick-built example from the final years of the Great Central Railway (merged with others in 1923 to form the giant London North Eastern Railway).
Brigg's signalbox - still in use today although a barrier crossing has replaced the original wooden-gated version and semaphore signals are long gone - does not have protected listed status.
The Brigg Line's passenger service is currently suspended, but freight trains continue to use the local route.
Old-style signal cabins removed from the Brigg Line at various times include Brigg Siding (controlling connecting sidings with Brigg Sugar Factory), Scawby & Hibaldstow, and Kettleby.
The sizeable Barnetby West signalbox - located between Wrawby Junction and Barnetby station - was removed during the British Rail era, being considered surplus to requirements.
Elsham signalbox - on the Scunthorpe-Barnetby-Cleethorpes line - is now disused but remains standing.
Dating back to 1885 and the era of the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, it has been grade two listed since 1986.
It is actually located within Wrawby parish - Elsham station (closed in 1993) having served both settlements.
Worlaby Sidings - a very small and remote signalbox on the same route - was removed long ago.