Romsey Signal Box
Builder: A. W. Payne & Partners
Date: 1984
The Romsey Signal Box was located at the junction of the lines to Redbridge (Southampton) and Eastleigh. The Signal Box dates from soon after 1865 when the Romsey/Redbridge branch was added to the Romsey/Chandlers Ford/Eastleigh main line which had already been in operation since 1847. The current Steven's lever frame was added in 1885 when the line to Redbridge was doubled.
Because of the adoption of modern signalling techniques, the Romsey Signal Box became redundant in 1982 and was acquired by The Trust from British Rail in 1983. It was initially moved by a large, mobile railway crane to a temporary position in the grounds of the adjacent infants' school. The operation, carried out one foggy winter night, required the cancellation of all trains for several hours.
In 1987, the Box was lifted a few metres to a new brick plinth on which it currently stands in an enclosure purchased by The Trust. It was repaired and repainted in the original railway colours and the complete lever frame of 23 levers and signalling equipment was refurbished and re-installed.
The Signal Box has now been passed on to a group of railway enthusiasts "The Friends of the Signal Box" and is used to demonstrate some of the traditional techniques of signalling that were employed when the Signal Box was in use. The enclosure also features track, a level crossing, signals and a working rail trolley.
A 1920s timber kit building which once stood in the grounds of a house in the town has been restored on site as a cafe, with an accessible toilet. A further timber building was installed in 2015 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and local councils, and houses a mobile miniature signal box based on Cowley Bridge Junction near Exeter.
In 2019 another timber building was installed as an education centre, again funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and local authorities. It will be available for local schools to use in a range of subject areas. Target opening now Autumn 2020.
The Signal Box is open for public viewing on the first Sunday and third Saturday of every month. Other special openings are advertised on the Friends website, www.romseysignalbox.org.uk. Group visits at other times are welcomed, by arrangement. For public opening dates, please see the Events diary.
JULY 2020: UNFORTUNATELY THE SIGNAL BOX IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE. Please visit www.romseysignalbox.org.uk for any up-to-date news of re-opening plans.
Further information may be obtained from the Friends of Romsey Signal Box, c/o 42 Botley Road, Romsey SO51 5AP, Hampshire, telephone 01794500523, email info@romseysignalbox.org.uk or through The Romsey and District Buildings Preservation Trust Registered Office, c/o Bells, 5, Market Place, Romsey, SO51 8XF.