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Swindon Panel Preservation

Welcome to the Swindon Panel Preservation

news sheet and thank you for your interest!

Hello to everyone who has joined since our last

Update; we very much appreciate you showing

your support by joining. We now have over 120

members (46 gold, 33 silver, 45 bronze)!

We have had an action-packed last few weeks

with much activity and progress. The dominating

news is that the ‘Long View’ we talked about in

the last newsletter has just got a bit longer! As

hopefully everyone is aware by now, Network

Rail have announced that they will need to

borrow our panel for a little longer; rather than

closing in August it will now stay open until

Christmas (2014) or Easter (2015).

While it is a little disappointing that we won’t

get ‘possession’ of the panel at the time we had

hoped, actually a more mature view is that it

gives us longer to prepare and fundraise, and we

will end up with a much better product. It gives

us a lot longer to raise the funds needed to lift

the panel out whole, and a panel lifted out

whole at Christmas or Easter will be in a working

condition at Didcot a lot sooner than a panel

dismantled in August 2014 would have been. The

later date will also significantly reduce our

storage burden, and will not affect the date at

which the building in DRC will be ready to

receive the panel in any case.

Swindon to Kemble will still be doubled and

recontrolled to TVSC in August, so some panel

alterations will be made then, but we’ll be sure

to minimize the disruption to

the panel in the process. The

beauty of the Integra Domino

design is that alterations

aren’t damaging to make.

Update 7. June 2014.

Here’s to Swindon Panel

More details always available at www.swindonpanel.org.uk

Follow us at /SwindonPanel /SwindonPanel

Kemble Station,

which will be

removed from

the panel in

August in

connection with

the doubling of

the line (left).

Swindon Panel Preservation Signing Ceremony

We have had a good presence at the Railway

Centre over the last month or so, manning our

‘stand’ on all six gala days. Thank you very much

indeed to everyone who helped through this - a

total of about £1000 was raised over the two

bank holiday weekends, plus a load of new

members immediately after. When Gift Aid is

added the total is somewhere near £1800, so an

extremely worthwhile effort.

Saturday 24th May was a particularly important

day for us as it was our ‘grand signing’ of the

agreement between Didcot Railway Centre and

Swindon Panel Society, which cements our

future as a permanent exhibit at DRC and the

commitment for the construction of the new

building.

Heavy rain was forecast all day but the sun came

out at precisely the right time for Tom O'Flaherty

(SPS Chairman), Richard Croucher (GWS

Chairman) and Ann Middleton (GWS Commercial

Manager) to sign the agreement in

the presence of Tim Leighton (Network Rail

General Manager, Western Route) and Scott

Wilgrove (Didcot's Town Mayor and also a

volunteer guard!), in view of many members,

supporters and cameras.

It was wonderful to meet so many members

there. It was an important event in the history of

the Society and strengthens what we are sure

will be a long and happy partnership.



Tom signs on behalf of SPS. Ann Middleton,

GWS Commercial Manager looks on.

Richard Croucher, GWS Chairman (left) and Tom

breaking open the booze!

Bottle and cork both preserved.

Swindon Panel Preservation ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice was given in the last Update that the first Annual General Meeting of the Swindon Panel Society will be held on:

Saturday 21st June

at

Didcot Railway Centre.

The meeting will be preceded by a guided tour of the signal boxes of the Railway Centre (Radstock North and Frome Mineral Junction).

The tour will start at 12 noon, the AGM will commence at 2pm. The meeting will contain updates from each of the trustees and end with question and answers from members (if you are going to pose a particularly difficult question that might require us to look into the answer, please let us know in advance!)

All members are entitled to attend the meeting. We will welcome any interested non-members who wish to attend (non-members may not vote at the meeting).

Any member who is unable to attend may appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf (who does not necessarily have to be a member). If you wish to appoint a proxy please ensure clear details authorising your proxy are sent to the Secretary (Danny Scroggins) no later than Friday 20th June. The Chairman (Tom O’Flaherty) will be pleased to receive proxy instruction from any member unable to attend who is unable to identify a suitable proxy.

AGENDA

2.00 - Welcome and thanks 2.05 - Welcome to Didcot Railway Centre 2.10 - Update on the progress of the Society 2.20 - Finance Update 2.30 - Membership Update 2.40 - Election of officers for the following year 2.45 - Any other business. End of formal part of the meeting 2.45 onwards - Questions and answers from the members

In accordance with the Constitution, all committee members are elected every year. All the present committee members offer themselves for re-election for the 2014-2015 year.

Tom O’Flaherty — Chairman

Tom is a software engineer for TRE (a Hitachi company), that makes signalling software, specialising in training simulators, all around the world.

Danny Scroggins — Secretary

Danny is a Local Operations Manager for Network Rail in the Thames Valley Signalling Centre and comes from a background in railway operations, including working in Swindon Panel.

Brian Davis — Treasurer

Brian is a Network Rail signaller and has worked a wide range of signal boxes including mechanical, panel and IECCs as well as time in Control and the Performance Section. Prior to this Brian worked for GE making electronics for signalling systems.

James Denny — Administrator

James is a Network Rail signaller and has worked in a range of busy boxes including the TVSC and Three Bridges. Prior to this James worked in various TOC station roles and before that at Atkins Rail in the Design Office.

All the committee members are trustees.






Treasurer’s Talk

With Brian Davis

As the Treasurer of the Society I wanted to bring

you up to date on how we are doing with the

fund-raising. For those of you who don’t know

me I am a Signaller at the Thames Valley

Signalling Centre in Didcot and although I have

not worked Swindon Panel, I worked its sister

(brother?) Reading Panel for many years, so I am

very enthusiastic about seeing Swindon panel up

and running at DRC next year.

As you may be aware our main medium-term

funding objective is to raise £25,000 which is our

contribution toward the new building the GWS

are constructing to house the panel at DRC. Our

first milestone for this is to pay an instalment of

£10,000 at the end of this month, followed by

£5,000 at the end of each June for the next three

years. We also need to raise funds for the panel

move itself and although the closure has been

delayed we will still need to have the money in

place this financial year. We are estimating

around £5,000 will be needed for the move.

Therefore, we are looking to raise a minimum of

£20,000 by June next year.

This is a tall order for an embryonic society, so

how are we doing? Well, impressively, we

started with nothing last September and by April

(the end of our financial year), we had amassed

an impressive £8,000; 85% of which was from

memberships.

The really good news is that since then we have

brought that total up to over £11,500. In a

period of approximately 10 months that is an

amazing achievement and whilst my fellow

committee members have worked hard to

achieve this, a lot of credit must also go to all the

members, especially those who have turned out

to the events to increase the awareness of the

society; so a special thank you to those people.

However, we mustn’t rest on our laurels, as we

need to raise almost another £10,000 by this

time next year. The enthusiasm for our project is

such that I am sure we will meet that objective.

Thank you all and I hope to see you at the AGM

on the 21st June.

Brian Davis, Treasurer

Top: I’ve heard of signal box cats but never a

signal box dog! Brian’s dog Scamp helping to

generate interest at the signing ceremony.

Swindon Panel Preservation Event Stands

Thanks to those who travelled from far and wide

and gave up their time to staff the stand at

various events recently. We are out in force on

two bank holiday weekends (totalling six days) at

DRC, a full weekend at the Gloucestershire &

Warwickshire Railway’s Steam & Ale gala and the

AGM of the Signalling Record Society.

We have learned a lot from our experiences with

the stand: it is excellent for increasing visibility

and awareness and attracting new supporters, as

well as for us to meet and get to know each

other and some of the Didcot staff. We also

learned which days bring the best return

(Saturdays).

While it is fun to do it is also hard work. We are

conscious (and grateful) that some supporters

make very long journeys to help man the stand. I

think it’s fair to say eight days in one month over

-stretched our resources, especially as on six of

those we were running TVSC tours as well!

There will be plenty more opportunities for the

Society to visit events, but now we know our

reasonable maximum we can plan our resources

a bit more effectively.

One of our greatest ‘unique selling points’ on the

stand is how friendly and chatty we are. We have

found that the social aspect of the Society has

far more weight with potential supporters than

the actual preservation! This is really important

to remember so keep up the excellent work!

Thank you to everyone who fed back on the

stand. One of the most common items of

feedback is that we need one or more large

banners with our name/logo on for the tent; I’m

pleased to say these are in now progress.

Here are some of the events we would like to

attend in the latter part of the year:

12/7/14 — Swanage 35 Gala

26/7/14 — Llangollen 1960s Weekend

09/8/14 — Swindon/Cricklade Steam Vintage

16/8/14 — Chinnor Railway, 20th Anniv. Gala

30/8/14 — Great Central Diesel Gala

05/9/14 — Mid Hants Diesel Gala (if not at SDR)

02/10/14 — West Somerset Steam Gala

Those events in green are our priorities (one per

month(ish), those in blue are our ‘nice to haves’.

So if you are working out if/when you can help,

we would be keen to fill the priority events first.

Thank you.

Organisation for these is currently in progress,

we’ll confirm for certain when we’re definitely

attending.

Left: The Stand team at the Didcot gala.



Swindon Panel Preservation Panel Operation

In the last Update I wrote an overview of the

wiring of the panel, which seemed to be well-

received, but several members fed back that

they would like an article about how the panel is

operated. This should have probably come

before the article about how it is wired! This may

be too big to fit in one newsletter so I will start

by explaining the features of a panel of this type

and continue next time.

The panel has two main components, the

operating fascia and the train describer. The

operating fascia is the lower-level part that has a

geographical map of the lines controlled, all the

signalling control buttons and switches and the

indication lamps showing the behaviour of

points, signals, trains, etc. The train describer is

the upper, vertical part.

Concentrating on the operating fascia: The

layout controlled is drawn on the panel, made up

of individual square tiles (“Dominoes”). There is

a relatively small number of patterns of Domino,

but combinations of Dominos allows almost any

conceivable layout to be represented. The

diagram is not to scale. In most cases tracks are

by a broad black line and siding lines are

sometimes shown as a hollow line. (Lines with

train detection by axle counters are shown in

blue on some panels, but not Swindon.) Also

shown on the diagram Dominoes are the

position of every signal and every set of points.

All equipment has an identity which is engraved

into the panel tiles (eg, points number, signal

number, track circuit number, etc). Engraving the

pictures and letters into the panel tiles makes for

a much more hard-wearing and long-living

product.

Within each track circuit is a line of lights that

can show white (for when a route is set) or red

(for when the track circuit is occupied), or no

colour at all when neither of the previous apply.




For controlled signals, a red or green lamp will

be displayed in the signal. The panel indication

shows red when the signal is red (and the lamp is

proved alight) and green when the signal is

displaying any ‘off’ colour, eg, yellow, double

yellow, green, flashing yellow, two white lights,

etc. No distinction is given to the signalman

regarding how ‘off’ the signal is, they just have to

use their skills of knowing what colour the

signals are capable of showing to work it out.

Automatic signals generally do not have

indications, although those with panel

replacement switches have a white and a red

lamp to indicate whether the replacement

switch has been used or not. In the case of these

being lamp-proved the red appears in the signal

in the same manner

as if it was a

controlled signal, but

in the non-lamp-

proved ones the red

is offset from the

signal.

Points are displayed

on the panel and all

shown in their

‘normal’ position (a

small gap is left

between the

‘normal’ and ‘reverse’ routes, with the ‘normal’

route being shown in continuous black. Each set

of points is provided with an individual switch at

the top of the panel for operation separate from

the route-setting system. Around these switches

are lamps for ‘normal’ (white, for which the

switch it turned to the left), ‘reverse’ (white, for

which the switch is turned to the right) and

‘locked’ (red, in the centre). The centre position

of the switch leaves the points free to be set by

the route-setting system, in sympathy with the

routes called by the signalman. In most cases,

the points will remain in the position they were

last called to until they are required in the

opposite position, unlike on a lever frame where

the points are put back to normal after a train to

keep a tidy frame. When the points are out of

correspondence with their controls neither

normal nor reverse lamp is lit, and also the white

lamps in the track diagram immediately either

side of the points flash alternately. It is normal to

see this for four or five seconds while the points

are in the process of moving in response to the

signalman moving the individual switch or

setting a route.

The method by which the signalman sets routes

on the panel follows the ‘entrance-exit’ principle

(NX). This means that the signalman selects

where he wants a route to be set FROM and

where TO, the eNtrance and the eXit, using the

panel controls, and the route-setting system

deals with everything in between. It is not

necessary, like it would be on a mechanical lever

frame, to operate all the points to the correct

position before clearing the signal; this happens

automatically. This switch is operated by turning

it through 90° so that the required arrow points

into the direction of travel.



Swindon Panel Preservation Each controlled signal will have a black rotary

entrance switch next to it. Main aspect signals

that lead to other main aspect signals will have a

red arrow that normally lies perpendicular to the

track pointing upwards. Ground position lights,

and main aspects with associated draw-ahead

signals underneath that read to other ground

position light signals, will have a similar arrow,

but in yellow and normally pointing downwards.

Each signal that forms a potential exit from a

controlled signal will have an exit button next to

it. Some signals can form entrances AND exits

and will be fitted with both, and some only one

or the other. Exits for main aspect signals, and

position light routes with route indications, use

red buttons. Exits for routes from independent

position light signals and those associated with a

main aspect but without a route indication, will

use a yellow button. Exit buttons that can be

used by either will be red with a yellow base.

In the process of “setting up” a route, the

signalman must match the colour of the

entrance switch arrow with the colour of the exit

button. To set a main aspect route the red arrow

is turned into the direction of travel and the next

available red exit button depressed.

If the route is free to be set, the points will be

commanded to move to the required position.

White route lights will commence lighting up

along the panel diagram, starting at the entrance

and moving along to the exit. The white route

lights will wait for each set of points to make

detection in the required position before moving

onto the next track circuit. When appropriate

the signal will change colour, which may be

immediate or may not, and the change in colour

will be indicated to the signalman by the panel

indication changing from red to green: ‘on’ to

‘off’. The signalman will set up a chain of routes

in this manner to allow the train to move across

the panel.

The approach of a train is indicated by the

progression of red lights along the panel, as each

track circuit section becomes occupied. When

the train passes the signal that we just set, the

signal will replace to danger automatically at the

required time, and this will be indicated in the

panel. As the train occupies each track circuit in

the route, the white lights will be replaced with

red.

As long as the route remains set, as the train

vacates each track circuit in the route the red

lights will be replaced with white lights. A single

white lamp flashes in the first track circuit

beyond the signal to indicate that the route has

been ‘used’. When the route is cancelled the

white lights, indicative of the route locking, will

die away behind the train, allowing other routes

to be set behind the train. The white lights, and

hence the route locking, will never die away in

front of the occupied track circuits, as this would

allow points movements ahead of the moving

train. A signal at the entrance of a ‘used’ route

will remain at danger until the signalman cancels

it and re-clears it.



Swindon Panel Preservation Some signals

are provided

with an ‘auto’

facility. In this

case the signal

will still return

to danger with

the passage of

a train, but

the route will

not be

considered

‘used’. The

first white

light will not

flash and, when the advancing train goes clear of

the controlling track circuits, the signal will start

to step up through its aspect sequence again.

This is useful where almost every train follows

the same route. In the case of Swindon Panel

examples of this are places like Uffington and

Bourton.

In most cases automatic signals are not able to

be controlled by the signalman. In the

exceptional cases where they are fitted with

‘replacement switches’ these function similar to

entrance switches on controlled signals. They are

coloured red, with a white arrow, and are not

used in association with an exit button. The

signal responds to the operation of the switch

alone. Routes from automatic signals are not

indicated by white route lights, which gives a

disjointed appearance as the panel is observed,

with controlled and automatic signals

interspersed throughout the area.

More next time!

Swindon Panel Research Conference The first research conference has just been

completed, during which the exciting new

Reference Centre was launched:

reference.swindonpanel.org.uk

This site contains all of our research output, it

already had a great deal of information on, scans

of documents, scheme plans, signalling notices,

etc, all relevant to the Swindon Panel area. The

site is publicly accessible, so anyone can view the

information on it.

We have initially remitted ourselves to the

period of history between the commencement

of MAS on the Swindon panel area and the

closure of the panel (or the present day). In the

future we may move on to document

information about the pre-MAS era of the

Swindon area.

Only authorised members are able to edit the

information on it the site. In order to be able to

edit information it is necessary to take part in

one of our research conferences where all the

relevant parts of the system are explained and

discussed.

The research is all done from home, so everyone

can do as much or as little as they like in

whatever amount of time they have available.

We have appointed some subject ‘owners’ who

will oversee and edit their own subject areas,

and also a co-ordinator for the Reference Centre,

Matt Callaghan.

If you are interested in signalling detective work,

please do join in. You’ll be very welcome and

helping in the recording of the history of our

panel.



Swindon Panel Preservation Many Hands Make Light Work

We are pleased to welcome Matt Callaghan to

the Society team: Matt will be looking after the

Reference Centre and ensuring that all our

research is presented in an efficient, consistent

and accessible way.

We are also pleased to welcome Mark Jones:

Mark is doing some ground-work for our new

public site that will be launched soon. The new

site concentrates on ‘selling’ the Society to

prospective members and supporters and will be

a lot more interactive and ‘real-time’ than the

current one.

We are also pleased to welcome Natalie Jones:

Natalie will be looking after all the booking for

Society events and outings, so expect to hear

from Natalie if you intend to join us on those!

There are may opportunities to get involved in

the progress of the Society, and here are some

of them we are looking for:

Membership Administrator

Our present Membership Administrator, James,

has moved to a new role in the Society in

developing our many necessary policies and

wider administrative tasks required. So we’re on

the look-out for a new Membership

Administrator. This role involves receiving

membership forms, sending email letters back to

the new member and adding them to our

membership system. Regular, accurate reporting

on the membership position is required. This

role is estimated to take about two hours per

week of work and can be undertaken remotely

so would suit any member, regardless of how

close they live to Didcot.

Health & Safety Advisor

There is a significant amount of H&S-related

administration to think about, and someone with

professional experience in these matters would

help us a lot. James has been doing some

excellent work for us recently devising some of

the policies and procedures we’re required to

maintain (accident book, etc), but it would be

excellent if this work could be underpinned by

someone with official qualifications in the Health

& Safety field.

This role would will require some work in the

initial setting-up of the policies, but would then

settle down as things become established. This

will require generally email discussion work with

us, and occasional face-to-face meetings.

Public Relations / Media Office

This role involves

creating press releases and maintaining a

list of magazines, websites and other

railway and local news agencies to

circulate them to.

Creating links with the general local press

in Swindon/Didcot, with the aim of

maximizing our exposure at key times of

news-worthy interest.

Co-ordinating our 'forum correspondents',

and trickle feeding less-formal information

for forum use, which is definitely a market

that could do with tapping more effectively

than we are now.

All of this work can be done remotely, so would

suit anyone, regardless of how close to Didcot

they live.



Swindon Panel Preservation eBay Sales Manager

We are forming a collection of donated items

that, realistically, are of more value to the

Society in their liquid form than solid.

We would like to appoint someone to deal with

the eBay admin for these items, listing,

monitoring and dealing when an item is sold.

This will raise funds for the Society.

There is likely to be about one item to list per

week on average. The person carrying out this

role does not necessarily need to be the person

in physical possession of the items.

This role would also suit someone who didn’t

necessarily live near Didcot.

We would also very much like to hear from

anyone with experience of dealing with or

involvement in :

* Acquiring shipping containers

* Public and Employer’s Liability Insurance

If you are able to help us with any of these,

please get in touch in the normal way!

Society Activities

We hope that arranging activities such as these

will be a good way for the Society to show you a

bit of ‘activity’ in return for your support and

membership. We have arranged visits to various

signal boxes covering a wide range of operating

technologies, mechanical frames (eg, Banbury),

panels (eg, Swindon), IECCs (eg, TVSC), etc. The

trips we arrange all involve visits to the

operating rooms of the signal boxes, an

explanation of the geography, methods of

working and local nuances and the opportunity

to take photographs and talk to the signalmen.

THAMES VALLEY SIGNALLING CENTRE

The TVSC tours were very well attended indeed.

Approximately 180 people attended over the

twelve sessions over the six days. All were given

a guided tour around the operating room and

explanation of the workings of the box, followed

by a hands-on session in the training simulator

room.

The TVSC has ten workstations, mainly IECCs,

controlling from Paddington to Uffington (the

fringe with Swindon Panel) and Heywood Road

(fringe with Westbury), apart from a small

section between Iver and Maidenhead which is

controlled from Slough Panel for the time being.

Desks have been laid out ready for Slough,

Swindon, Oxford, etc. Ultimately the entire

English Great Western will be controlled from

here, from Paddington to Penzance, Heyford,

Gloucester and Patchway. (Wales has its own

equivalent in Cardiff, and the Wessex area has its

own equivalent currently under construction at

Basingstoke.)

RADSTOCK NORTH & FROME MINERAL JN

We have a tour of the signal boxes of Didcot

Railway Centre planned for AGM day — 21st

June. No requirement to book ahead. See the

AGM section for details.

BRISTOL PANEL

Saturday 5 July, 10am and 2pm.

The Bristol panel visit is now fully-booked, plus a

reserve list. Apologies to anyone who wasn’t

able to get a place, please see our new booking

policy for how we have responded to the very

fast selling-out of our visits.



mailto:[email protected]

Swindon Panel Preservation Future Events

We are currently working out our calendar of

events for the autumn (we had previously been

keeping the autumn free for ‘panel-moving’).

These are still in the planning stages, so

unfortunately we’re unable to confirm exact

dates, but here are our outline plans.

SWINDON PANEL VISIT

We have organised two very successful visits to

Swindon Panel so far (in September 2013 and

March 2014), and, by popular demand, we are

organising some more.

We have a visit already organised for the staff

and volunteers of Didcot Railway Centre (so that

they can see what they’re getting!) in August,

and we hope to organise another ‘open’ one in

the autumn of this year. The open visit will take

the same format as previous open visits - starting

with a presentation about the activities of the

Society in the Network Rail meeting room, and

then visiting the panel itself afterwards. More

details soon!

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM — LANCASHIRE &

YORKSHIRE SIGNALLING SCHOOL LAYOUT

Saturday 8 November, National Railway

Museum, York. 10am — 4pm. £10 per person.

We are delighted to be organising a Society visit

to the L&Y Signalling School at the NRM. This

model set, with fully-working signals, signal

boxes, and block system, was used as a training

aid for over 100 years, and is now preserved and

operated by a group of volunteer enthusiasts

(sound familiar?). This will be a hands-on visit for

Society members to operate the equipment

under the instruction of the local team. The

demos run in half-hour slots through the day,

and there are eight ‘roles’ for each demo. 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.

Being within the NRM, of course, will also

provide the opportunity for a good look round

the extensive collection. (We are going to try to

arrange access Borough Market Junction Box as

well while we are there - TBC). This event

arranged for Saturday 8 November (it is inside so

won’t be affected by weather). Society members

will have first priority to attend this event, for

which there will a £10 fee per person to cover

costs.

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY SIGNALLING TOUR

We are currently arranging a Society visit to the

South Devon Railway. We are chartering their

heritage ‘bubble car’ for our private use for the

visit, which will focus on signalling and include

explanations of the signalling as we leisurely



http://www.nrm.org.uk/planavisit/events/signallingdemo.aspx#panel-2

Swindon Panel Preservation move along the

line, stopping off

at each signal box

for a visit and a

look around.

We intend this to

be a ‘Society

Family Day’, which

we hope will be

successful enough to become an annual event.

The day will start at about 10am at Totnes (for

those arriving by train) or Buckfastleigh (for

those driving motor cars), and finished at

approximately 4:30pm. Attendees may also wish

to stay on for a fish and chip evening meal. The

signal box visit times will be allocated, but our

train will be running all day, so there will be

plenty of opportunity to ride about. This event

would be open to all Society members,

supporters, family and friends. There will be an

admission fee for this event, and we hope to

work out various ‘family’ prices, etc. More

information will be made available as plans are

confirmed. We hope to run this on either

Saturday 6th September or Saturday 11th

October, we will confirm as soon as we know.

EVENT BOOKING POLICY

Previous visits have became fully-booked fairly

quickly which meant that not everyone who

wanted to was able to attend.

We have adjusted our booking policy in that we

will now accept requests for places from

members and non-members. None of the

requests will be allocated a guaranteed place

until a nominated date ahead. At that point, if

there are more requests than places we will

draw names from a hat from those who have

requested a place. We will allocate a defined

number of places to non-members at the draw

stage. The draw will be far enough in rear of the

visit to allow people to make travel plans etc

(approximately 3 months). After the draw, it’s

first-come-first-served on the remaining places

(if there are any). I hope that is fair.

If you wish to express your interest in the NRM

L&Y visit or the Society Family Day at the South

Devon Railway then please let us know in the

normal way (there is no commitment when

expressing interest).



mailto:[email protected]

Swindon Panel Preservation Membership

Membership continues to climb, which is

encouraging.

At the time of writing there are 121 members, of

which 46 (38%) are gold members, 33 (27%)

silver, and 42 (34%) are bronze. The proportion

of silver members has increased, this option

being more popular with our ‘passing trade’ at

the event stands.

The most popular post code areas of our

members are remain (although in a different

order) as ‘SN’ (Swindon, 17 members),

‘OX’ (Oxford/Didcot, 16 members) and

‘RG’ (Reading, 10 members).

111 out of 121 (91%) of our members are male.

7 (6%) are female. The other 3 are

‘unspecified’ (as they only provided a first initial I

could not tell). The proportion of female

members is increasing.

Membership records are maintained in HOPS. If

you need a new password, or have any problems

accessing to maintain your details, please let us

know.

If you are interested in the preservation of this

WR panel and method of signalling control and

are not yet a member, then your membership

contribution now will ensure the panel is around

for years and generations to come. Now is the

time we need to act.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS... ...Are now being distributed by post. If you

haven’t received your membership card by the

time of the AGM please let us know!

Not a Member Yet?

Membership subscriptions are available now!

There are three levels of membership, to cater

for everyone’s level of interest and depth of

pocket.

BRONZE membership is ideal for

‘armchair supporters’. We will

keep you up to date with all the

latest news and developments,

and welcome you to visit us in

the panel and try your hand at

operating it following reconstruction. Bronze

membership costs £5 per year.

SILVER membership is for the

slightly-more-interested or

actively involved supporter.

Silver membership costs £40,

and a free welcome gift of a

Swindon Panel liveried mug will

be all yours!

We are also offering a special deal on Silver

membership—buy three years in one go, save

£10! You will, of course, still receive your

welcome gift as per normal silver membership in

each of the three years.

If you feel you wish to give the

project a higher level of support,

when it needs it most in its

formative years, GOLD

membership is for you. Gold

membership lasts for life and

gold members will receive a Swindon Panel tie as

their welcome gift. Gold membership costs a one

-off payment of £200.



http://www.heritage-ops.org.uk/

http://www.swindonpanel.org.uk/membership.php

Swindon Panel Preservation Spread the Word The Project needs as much exposure as it can get at the moment. If you know someone who might be interested in the Project then please tell them about it, everyone is welcome. There are also posters available on the website that you could display at your railway or workplace and clipart for forums etc. Generating interest really does directly translate into money for the work of the Society. Don’t forget we’re on Facebook and Twitter, so you can like/follow us on those websites for all the latest news, and also to bolster our web presence. Thanks everyone for your continued support!

Notes to Calendar Gala Stand events with (Priority) are our

priorities (one per month(ish), those show with

(Nice to Have) are our secondary. So if you are

working out if/when you can help, we would be

keen to fill the priority events first. Thank you.

$ - Advanced booking required, please contact us to book (see booking policy).

Society Events Diary Saturday 21 June 12 noon: Tour of Didcot RC Signal Boxes visit. 3pm: Swindon Panel Society AGM (See article in newsletter)

Saturday 5 July $ (Fully booked) Society Visit to Bristol Panel Box

Saturday 12 July (Priority)

Gala Stand — Swanage 35 Gala

Saturday 26 July (Priority)

Gala Stand — Llangollen 1960s Weekend

August (date advertised internally at DRC) DRC visit to Swindon Panel.

Saturday 09 August (Nice to Have)

Gala Stand — Swindon/Cricklade Steam Vintage

Saturday 16 August (Nice to Have)

Gala Stand — Chinnor Railway, 20th Anniv. Gala

August / September (date TBC) Open visit to Swindon Panel.

Saturday 30 August (Priority)

Gala Stand — Great Central Diesel Gala

Saturday 6 September (Priority if not at SDR)

Gala Stand — Mid Hants Diesel Gala

6 September OR 11 October (date TBC) $ Society Family Day — South Devon Railway Bubble Car event. (See separate article)

Saturday 02 October (Priority)

Gala Stand — West Somerset Steam Gala

Saturday 8 November $ National Railway Museum, Lancashire & Yorkshire Signalling School visit. 10am-4pm, York. £10 per person. (See separate article)

Thanks to Dave McCormick and James Denny for endless proof-reading!



https://www.facebook.com/swindonpanel

https://twitter.com/swindonpanel

$ Exclusive hire of Class 122 (Bubble Car)

≠ Tour of signalling of the railway

ß Visit to signal boxes \Evening meal option

Photo: Colin J. Marsden

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