Swindon Panel Preservation 3.09

There are seven original Western-Region "turn-push" type panels left in operation. Network Rail has plans to close most, if not all, of them within the next few years.

A small group has convened with the aim of preventing this panel design, that has been the staple panel of the Great Western since the 1960s, passing into history unpreserved.

Our examination of the feasibility of doing this has, so far, produced the following results:
* Our attention is focussed on Swindon Panel, which is in good condition and has a good number of interesting and varied infrastructure features on it.
* Network Rail have agreed to our obtaining the panel when it is taken out of use in May 2014.
* The plan is to remove the panel from the current Swindon Panel building (which is to be demolished) and reconstruct in a secure location off-site.
* We have agreement for us to use purpose-built, Simsig-driven signalling simulation software to build (and people with experience to program) a simulator back-end for the Panel. This will enable it to function and be operated realistically, for the interest and education of those interested in railway signalling and MAS technology.
* Our final plan, when we've achieved this, is to start 'winding the clock back' and reinstating some long-gone infrastructure on the panel fascia, back to a period in about 1982-84, when the layout was at its most interesting and most complex! We ultimately intend to supplement the exhibit of the panel with other explanatory items such as examples and explanations of relay interlockings, colour light signals, junction sequences, remote controls, etc. That's all a little way off though.

We are still very much in the early stages, but we believe we are able to say with confidence that the technical and physical aspects of the project overall are feasible.