Old bit of kit

[Phil]

Anybody want to guess what this was, before I post the text that goes with it?

[doubletrigger]

Does make toast or tea?

[Deleted]

Has it got anything to do with the lights on the front of a 38 stock or something? The white marks in the bottom corners remind me of them for some reason (more than likely totally wrong I know.............).

[Phil]

This is what it is.

[CSLR]

So this amazingly complex contraption was simply used to sound a siren after 30 seconds?
Far too complicated for the task!
What they should have done was to strip out that heap of junk, turn the box on its side and replace it with a clockwork train running on a circular track. After 30 second the toy train would complete a loop and touch a contact which would sound the siren.
If the starting signal at the real station was not clear, the clockwork train could be shunted into a siding.
The station staff could occupy themselves during intervals to the real train service by rewinding the clockwork mechanism of the miniature train.
In reply to another post, a goods branch line could be extended to the staff room to allow the toy train to deliver tea and toast to the platform.

[Deleted]

I wonder how long it lasted before dust and muck got into it and it packed up, doubtless much to the relief of the station staff.

What they should have done was to strip out that heap of junk, turn the box on its side and replace it with a clockwork train running on a circular track. After 30 second the toy train would complete a loop and touch a contact which would sound the siren.
If the starting signal at the real station was not clear, the clockwork train could be shunted into a siding.
The station staff could occupy themselves during intervals to the real train service by rewinding the clockwork mechanism of the miniature train.
In reply to another post, a goods branch line could be extended to the staff room to allow the toy train to deliver tea and toast to the platform.

Sounds a much better idea, as long as insulated vans were used in the consist!