EPW061418 ENGLAND (1939). Denhams Engineering Co Empire Works, Holmfield, 1939

The ground frame (levers in the hut) that controls the access to the private siding through the gate. This would have include levers for the point, the shunt signals and a lock on the gate. It appears the siding is only connected to the line going towards the station in the background. The ground frame would have been locked from the signal box, or the driver would be given an key (an Annett's Key) to unlock the frame. If the later the instrument in the signal box that offered the Annett's Key would lock the signals on the mainline while the key was out of the box. More likely that the frame was released from the signal box so a train could be locked in the siding to allow other traffic to pass. Indeed, just round the curve there is a locomotive and a brake van that might be returning to the station having shunted the private siding. (As it happens I am just in the middle of making a similar arrangement for a private siding on my S Scale model railway!)

Baker St. North

Burton St.

Drake's Engineering private siding.

Holmfield station on the Lancashire & Yorkshire and Great Northern Joint line from Halifax to Queensbury triangle, thence either Keighley or Bradford. OPned from Halifax to Holfield in September 1874, then extended away from the camera via Strines cutting and Queensbury tunnel to Queensbury in October 1878. Opened throughout to passngers on October 14th 1880. Closed to passengers 23rd May 1955 then to goods in May 1956 between Holmfield and Queensbury. Holmfield to Halifax finally closed on 27th June 1960. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/holmfield/index2.shtml

Holmfield signal box. Opened as second cabin here on 30th August 1890. Great Northern Railway funded but built by Saxby and Farmer. 70 levers. Closed 27th June 1960, though line and cabin remained in dereliction for a while afterwards.

53.748191,-1.87719 Google grid reference. http://www.lostrailwayswestyorkshire.co.uk/images/Halifax%20high%20level... Bridge is long gone and only one abutment remains. Line was the Great Northern Railway's Holmfield to Halifax St. Pauls branch, opened in 1890. Closure to passengers came early on 31st December 1916. By the date of the photo the libne was goods only. This would last until complete closure on 25th June 1960.