CHAFFERS SIDING[Source: Alan Young]
Chaffers Siding Gallery2: February 1991 - March 1991  In February 1991 the crossing keeper at Barkerhouse Road has closed the gates and awaits the passage of the hourly train from Colne to Nelson, Preston and Blackpool South. A pedestrian has chosen to wait for the gates to open rather than use the footbridge, which she will soon no longer be able to do as its demolition is imminent. Chaffers Siding Cabin can be glimpsed to the right.
Photo by Denis Parker 
In February 1991 a Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU hurtles over Barkerhouse Road level crossing on its way from Colne to Nelson and beyond. Within a couple of weeks the crossing will become ‘trainman operated’ requiring the train to halt before the crossing for a plunger to be pressed by the conductor-guard for the barriers to lift.
Photo
by Denis Parker
 Barkerhouse Road level crossing and Chaffers Siding Cabin, Nelson, looking north-east in February 1991. The gates seen here were installed in 1987 and will be removed soon when trainman operation replaces the manual operation by the gatekeeper. The footbridge and cabin will also be dismantled. The terraced houses on Chapel Street can be seen on the c1900 photo of the stone works’ yard.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Looking east across Chapel Street towards Barkerhouse Road level crossing and Chaffers Siding Cabin in February 1991. The crossing will soon cease to be operated manually by a gatekeeper and his cabin and the neighbouring footbridge will be removed. The Catlow Stone Works formerly stood in the open space to the left of the cabin.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Chaffers Siding Cabin, the gates at Barkerhouse Road level crossing, and the footbridge are seen in February 1991 shortly before their removal. The cabin nameplate is of interest, dating from LYR years (pre-1923) and still painted in BR London Midland Region colours despite BR’s ‘Corporate Identity’ black-and-white signage having been policy for 26 years.
Photo by Denis Parker  Looking south from Chapel Street, Nelson, towards Barkerhouse Road level crossing, the footbridge and Chaffers Siding Cabin in February 1991, less than a month before major changes will be made at this location.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Looking south from Chapel Street, Nelson, towards Barkerhouse Road level crossing in March 1991. Work is underway to transform the crossing to trainman operation. The footbridge has been dismantled and the staircase has been blocked to discourage its use. Demolition of Chaffers Siding Cabin is about to begin, with the necessary equipment at the ready.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Looking east across Chapel Street towards Barkerhouse Road level crossing and Chaffers Siding Cabin in March 1991. The crossing is in the process of being converted to trainman operation and the gates have been removed, but before the lifting barriers are installed an unsophisticated transitional arrangement has been made whereby the crossing attendant (formerly gatekeeper) stretches ‘bunting’ across the road to stop the road traffic. Chaffers Siding Cabin has been retained to accommodate the attendant but is about to be demolished. The footbridge has been dismantled leaving the staircase from Chapel Street stretching up into space. The Catlow Stone Works formerly stood in the open space to the left of the cabin.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Looking south-east in March 1991 at Barkerhouse Road level crossing between Nelson and Colne. The footbridge has just been removed leaving the abutment in place. Chaffers Siding Cabin awaits demolition.
Photo by Denis Parker  In March 1991, looking north, the level crossing on Barkerhouse Road no longer has any gates as it is being converted to a trainman-operated lifting barriers arrangement. The nearby ramp and distant staircase up to the recently dismantled footbridge can be seen. Chaffers Siding Cabin is still in place, its hipped roof and tall chimney visible beyond the stone walls of the ramp. However equipment is in place to demolish the cabin.
Photo by Denis Parker 
A Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU is hurrying over Barkerhouse Road level crossing in March 1991 during the transitional arrangement from manually-operated gates to trainman-operated lifting barriers. The author recalls this temporary system in which the attendant had to stop road traffic by vigorously waving his arms around before stringing bunting on both sides of the railway, as seen here. It would be interesting to know how he stopped the traffic at night.
Photo
by Denis Parker
Looking south-west from Barkerhouse Road level crossing towards Nelson in March 1991. The level crossing gates have been removed and preparations are underway for installing the trainman-operated barriers and the associated equipment and signage.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Looking south-east up Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, from the level crossing in March 1991. Demolition of the ramp to the former footbridge is in progress.
Photo by Denis Parker  The footbridge at Barkerhouse Road level crossing, Nelson, has recently been removed and in this north-westward view in March 1991 demolition of the ramp that gave access to the bridge is underway. Chaffers Siding Cabin is just beyond the arm of the demolition vehicle and it, too, will soon be removed.
Photo by Denis Parker 
Barkerhouse Road level crossing looking north-west in March 1991 soon after the installation of trainman-operated barriers and warning lights. All of the masonry that carried the ramp to the footbridge has been removed leaving only the pile of earth to the right. The staircase on the opposite side of the railway giving access to the bridge has also been removed.
Photo
by Denis Parker
Looking east across Chapel Street towards Barkerhouse Road level crossing in March 1991 after its conversion to trainman-operated barriers. The familiar landmarks of Chaffers Siding Cabin and the adjacent footbridge have been erased. Trains now must halt before reaching the crossing for the conductor-guard to activate the warning lights and lower the barriers; once the train has cleared the crossing the barriers lift automatically. It is hoped that this time-consuming procedure will be reviewed when the Colne to Skipton section is eventually restored and the route is no longer just of local importance.
Photo by Denis Parker
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