St Albans South Signal Box

Home
United Kingdom
Saint Albans
St Albans South Signal Box

News of what you can see and do at the FREE TO VISIT
St Albans South Signal Box and details of even St Albans South Signal Box is a Grade 2 listed building.
(18)

After going out of use in 1979 it was left to rot until 2002 when a group of local residents determined to do something with it. A charitable trust was formed and, after nearly 4 years of negotiation with Railtrack and then Network Rail, took possession in 2006. Then the really hard work started. It took 3 years and many thousands of pounds to restore the box and it finally opened to the public fo

r the first time in 2009. It is one of the few preserved boxes on a mainline railway that's regularly open to the public. Upstairs, the box has been restored to it's 1979 condition, complete with working lever frame, block instruments, bells and other signalling equipment. This has enabled us to demonstrate how manual signalling was done and these demonstrations run continuously when we are open. Downstairs, there is a small museum.. There are many signalling items on display, including single line 'tablet' machines, and other railway-related exhibits. Railway videos and a slideshow of the restoration are also shown. The garden has been laid out with flowers, shrubs and lawn and there are working signals and other exhibits on display. Light refreshments are available. The site is fully accessible except for the long flight of steps to the upper floor of the signal box and there is a fully accessible toilet and hand washing facility available on request. Postcode for satnav users is AL1 3AJ. There is ample parking nearby at the Railway Station and in Ridgmont Road. There is no need to book - just come along. Entrance is FREE, but donations are always welcome.

13/07/2024

Views from the top of our new LNWR hand operated double arm signal.

30/06/2024

At last our double arm LNWR signal is up in the garden. Thanks to Day Bros Transport of Colney Heath who recovered the signal from a garden in Woking last year and after restoration lifted it from the horizontal to the vertical. We still have to fit the arms, lamps and lenses but this was a big step forward.

09/03/2024

Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday so why not bring mother to St Albans Signal Box where she can pull the levers, ring the bells and watch Thomas on the garden railway. Open from 2 till 5, tea and coffee available.
Ridgemont Road

11/02/2024

Today Sunday 11th February the Signal Box will once again open its doors between 2 and 5.
As usual lots to see including the new ground signal still being restored but working.

01/02/2024

Sadly over the last couple of weeks we hav e had an intruder in the Signal Box garden. At first we thought he was just looking but now we realise that he has stolen two of our exhibits. The first was a circular metal disk of about 12 inches in diameter painted in red and black with the words 'Coal Office' in the centre.
The second was a 1950s style waning sign of a crossing without gates.
If you are offered any of the above or see them as new acquisitions in a collection you know, please notify the police and message me so that we can recover the objects and restore our display.
These are not high value objects but formed part of our outside display.

News of what you can see and do at the FREE TO VISIT
St Albans South Signal Box and details of even

01/01/2024

A Happy New Year to all our supporters.
First open day on the 14th January, see you there!

30/11/2023

Another new artifact thanks to Network Rail.
Might have to be careful where we display it otherwise we might have a lot of confused commuters.

08/09/2023

The latest restoration is a two lever detonator frame said to be GWR but from a signal box in Cricklewood! All we need now is the placer mechanism to complete a display. If you have one or know where one is for sale please let us know. Why not come down yourself this weekend and join us for Heritge Weekend, open from 2 till 5 both days.

07/09/2023

Preparations underway for new displays over Heritage weekend.
The box will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 till 5 and still free entry.

30/07/2023

Two new acquisitions, the access boards from North and South of the station and at last the slotted signal is up although needing a paint before the iron work is attached. Should look good with its 4 foot finial attached.

12/06/2023

Another fantastic gift, will probably mount it on the sleeper wall beneath the City running in board
Thanks to Chris for a great donation

30/05/2023

Special opening of the Signal Box on Wednesday afternoon from 2 till 5. Bring your children to see Thomas Percy and James as they run round the garden and ring the bells to change the signals. All welcome.

27/05/2023

The signal box will be open on Sunday 28th from 2 till 5. Why not come along and see part of St Albans history and its still free entry, although donations are permitted.

20/05/2023

Would you like to be involved in maintaining this piece of St Albans history, if so why not come along on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 5 and talk to other volunteers about what they do and why they do it.
No specialist knowledge needed just an interest in local history or railways or even just gardening. A great community helping to save part of our heritage.

23/04/2023

Signal box open today from 2 till 5.
Our slotted signal is complete and almost ready to be erected now with its 4 foot high final, worth a view.
LNWR signal now in bits ready for restoration.

24/02/2023

Bequeathed to the trust is this double arm LNWR signal originally from Dallam near Warrington. Rescued in 1970 it has spent 50 years in a back garden. It has a few anomalies, one of the weight bars is a handle so it seems as though it may have been hand operated and one of the lamps is a dummy.
It is 5.3m high and concreted in the ground so we are looking for a lorry with a crane to bring it back to St Albans and then we have to find somewhere to mount it in the garden, we need more space!

14/02/2023

Signal box open this Wednesday afternoon for half term. All the usual things to do and see and still free entry.

10/02/2023

Lots of new acquisitions, we are going to need a larger site.
We are still looking for a ground frame to operate a new double home signal due to arrive soon, if you know of one available please let us know.
The box is open again this Sunday 2 to 5 so why not come along.

11/12/2022

Last open day of the year and so cold!
Happy Christmas to all our supporters.

08/12/2022

Latest acquisition at the signal box. The name board from St Albans Abbey signal box. The letters are original cast iron but sadly the wooden back board was not in a very good condition and had to be replaced.

10/09/2022

Display of railway signs and totems at the signal box. Open all day today

09/09/2022

The Signal Box will be open this weekend from 10 till 5 each day. Fascinating display of local signage from Bricket Wood Watford and Radlett some never seen before. Thomas and friends of course plus steam rides and still free

05/09/2022

This year the signal box was 130 years old. Help us celebrate this anniversary by joining us over next weekend 10th and 11th September when the box will be open both days from 10 till 5. All the usual displays plus steam railway, 00 gauge Thomas and friends, poster displays plus plenty more. Entry still free, donations welcome.

14/08/2022

Good open day today with inspite of the heat nearly 60 visitors including a group from Crawley Signal Box, we wish them well in their endeavors and their constant battle with Netwok Rail.

07/07/2022

Full size replica of City Of St Albans engine plate on display in the signal box prior to er****on in the booking hall of St Albans City Station.

12/06/2022

This weekend 130 years ago St Albans South Junction Signal Box began controlling the flow of rail traffic through St Albans.
Why not join us in celebrating this anniversary by visiting the box this afternoon between 2 and 5. Entry still free.

31/05/2022

The signal box will be open for visitors tomorrow 1st June from 2 till 5.
If your children are already bored with half term why not come along and see a small piece of St Albans history lovingly restored and it's free.

Address

Ridgmont Road
Saint Albans
AL13AJ

Website

http://www.sigbox.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St Albans South Signal Box posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.