Signal Box

Constructed around 1880 and very much neglected this signal box sits hidden behind what was once Pitcaple General Stores and Post Office. It's not listed as such but is recognised as a building very much at risk by RCAM's.
The stores were owned and run by one Mr Paterson and sold everything from cheese to whisky. I bought both from the man.
I seem to recall that his wife ran the adjoining Post Office and that they lived above the shop, which was fairly common in those days. Mr Paterson is long gone and even as he reached toward retirement the superstores in the nearby town were tempting his customers away with bargain offers and a wider range of goods. A sort of strangulation by new commerce I suppose.
I am not much of a railway buff so can only surmise that the Signal Box fell victim to the Beeching cuts in the 1960's.
It has done rather well though to survive for 130 years and looks splendid in the late afternoon light I think.