Stage 3

Raising an Empty Load on the East Incline

Once the hauler driver is ready to raise the wagons to Blackham's Hill he sends the bell code (2 rings) to indicate that he is ready.

When the Springwell signalman is satisfied that it is safe to raise the set, he signals the Springwell crossing keeper with a green flag to close the gates to road traffic.

When the Springwell crossing keeper has closed the gates to road traffic, and has closed the catch point above the crossing he signals readiness to the Springwell signalman.

The Springwell signalman sends the bell code (5 rings, 2 rings) to the hauler driver to confirm readiness for raising the set.

The hauler driver sends the bell code (2 rings) to acknowledge, then starts raising the wagons up the East Incline.

© James Wylie Towler
The returning empties at Springwell Crossing

As the set approaches Blackhams Hill, it is diverted onto the steeply rising track onto the kip. The aim is to pull the set over the artificial summit created by the kip so that it then starts rolling down the gradient towards the top of the West incline. Below, the set is seen being pulled up onto the kip by the rope.

© Peter Norman
Empties arriving on the Kip at Blackham's Hill

© New Jersey Railway and Canal Society 2003
Empties arriving on the Kip at Blackham's Hill

Note the riser poles on the Kip side. These are to allow the rope to rise up without snagging as the set comes up the kip. A better view of this action is shown in the view below, although this is Springwell bankhead kip and not Blackhams Hill kip.

© Stafford M Linsley
Wagons arriving on Springwell bankhead kip

This page last updated 27th March 2006