The wooden objet d'art with its brass nameplate was captured back in 1982 by renowned cameraman Colin Bean inside the now lost Chaffer's Siding signal box on Barkerhouse Road, Nelson.

The ancient wooden baton with "Chaffer's Sidings" inscribed on its brass plate was handed over to the engine driver by the signalman at Chaffer's Siding cabin to ensure the single track was safe to use as the train made its way to Colne and the end of the line. On the way back, the baton was handed back to the signalman ready for the next train.

Chaffer's Siding cabin originated back on April 12th, 1876, when the signalbox was built by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company at the level crossing and was designated L and Y number 277.

Earlier, in 1869, an agreement between the L and Y and Thomas Chaffer brought into use Chaffer's Siding to facilitate the loading of stone on to the steam trains from Benjamin Chaffer's nearby Catlow Quarry. The now iconic signalbox was in use for 113 years and its demolition was a sad day indeed for anyone who values our proud railway and industrial past.

Exactly 45 years ago, at the age of 20, I was proud to be the Chaffer's Siding Cabin signalman and memories of those happy times will be with me always.