Colin Ryder adds all the details-
44734 is about to pass over a set of catch-points on the down ascent of Shap, having just passed a 3-aspect signal on a black & white post, the standard paint pattern for LMS tubular isolated distant signals (originally applied between 1939 and 1946).

There were 4 such sets of catch-points on the down line between Tebay and Shap Summit. Measuring the distances given in the Sectional Appendix 1960 for the area [p.20] onto the O.S.map OL19, identifies the location as just south of the cottages at Salterwath. This set of catch-points, the third going north, is the only set located in a shallow cutting. (See the photo of 46233 for a wider view of this location).

This location also fits in with the diagram of signals in B.R.Layout Plans vol.6 published by the Signalling Record Society [p.22]. It is about a mile north of the Scout Green signal box which controlled this signal, the distant for the Intermediate Block Signal home situated at Shap Wells.

The spot was also used by those venerable photographers Canon Eric Treacy [1] and E.D.Bruton [2], who sadly gave no details about the location.

I record my gratitude to fellow- members of the Cumbrian Railways Association for pointing me in the direction of the necessary data and for their opinions on the setting.

[1] Eric Treacy’s LMS, Jenkinson & Whitehouse, OPC, 1988, p.69;
[2] Book of the Royal Scots, Irwell Press, 1999, p.31"