A COLLECTION of 18 railway lamps are the latest addition to Bromsgrove’s ever-expanding Norton Collection Museum.
The lights would have been the main head lamps on the trains and will form part of a wider exhibition about Bromsgrove’s railways.
Dennis Norton, who owns the collection, said: “One of the lamps was very interesting – it has a signalling device in it to send messages – like some form of Morse code.
“It must be very rare – I certainly haven’t seen anything like it before.”
We reported earlier this year how Dennis had teamed up with Ron Swift, the only surviving member of a group which saved Bromsgrove Station when it was under threat in the 1960s, to bring together some unique items from the town’s train past.
Another rare piece is the balcony from the station master’s house which dates back to 1842. It was rumoured renowned railway engineer George Stephenson stood on that balcony when checking the line.
Other items include signals, name plates, running boards and cast iron foot scrapers – identical to those outside Number 10 Downing Street – which were outside the station master’s house.
The original whistle from much-loved locomotive Big Bertha is another item likely to appeal to rail enthusiasts from Bromsgrove and beyond.
Mr Norton said: “There has always been a lot of interest in the railways in Bromsgrove so I think this exhibition will go down really well.”
Building work is currently being carried out at the museum to extend the venue which it is hoped will be open later this year.
Anyone who has any artefacts, photographs or other memorabilia to do with Bromsgrove Station and the town’s railway history should call Dennis Norton on 01527 919531.
