External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore.

 External renovation of the Speyside Signal Box at Aviemore. 

By Colin Frost

26 July 2022

Copyright Graham Maxton.

Following on from painting the outside walls of The Lodge accommodation block over the spring, Ray and Colin have commenced the much needed renovation of Speyside Box.

A little history about Speyside Cabin. Originally it was the former Garve West cabin and it was mounted at the end of the up platform. The structure is entirely original, until we have started this work. The cabin came available to the railway with the introduction of RETB on the Kyle route in 1984. The cabin was uplifted sometime after this but with no lever frame with it because BR had already removed it. The cabin was brought to the railway on a low loader lorry and was installed where it is today. Garve West, Now Speyside cabin is now fitted with the right hand half of the Wick lever frame. Again this frame became available to the railway with the introduction of RETB in the Far North.

We have taken delivery of new 20mm planking to replace the rotten wall boards, and as the required scaffolding is not expected to be available until September, we have made a start on the South wall, as this is in the worse condition.

With the rotten ends of the cladding removed revealing the damaged beams behind..

The cladding in front of the beam in boor condition.

So over 19th to 21July22 the lower couple of feet of the wall planking was cut out, the horizontal wall frame treated with Cuprinol preservative and replacement boards cut and fitted.   Aluminium Primer and the first coat of White undercoat were applied.

A productive start but with a LOT more work to do.