HISTORY

The signal box was brought into use in June 1892 by the Midland Railway, replacing an earlier box on the site, when the line was expanded from two to four tracks southwards.

The box is classified by members of the Signalling Record Society as a Midland Railway 'Type 2A' and is one of many made from parts pre-fabricated in Derby. It is of wooden construction with a slate roof and heavy glazed windows. It had no foundations until the recent  restoration!

The Midland Railway 44 lever ‘Tumbler interlocked' frame controlled all the trains on the four tracks between intially St Albans North Box and Napsbury. In 1970 the North box was closed and the South box then worked northwards to Harpenden Station box.

The frame was reconfigured or replaced when the track or signalling changed, e.g. with the introduction of slow and fast line working southwards in 1895 and northwards in 1906, and in 1970 when St Albans North box was closed. The box itself was altered in 1963 when an external toilet was added. It was listed Grade II in February 1979 before closure for signalling on the 2nd December 1979. It fully closed in early 1980 after the station announcer moved to the station.

1927
13th August 1927 (with thanks to Pete Stephens)

4 May 1946
4 May 1946

1950
1950

29 June 1974
29 June 1974

1990's 1990's

1940's
late 1940's

1960's
1960's

 1976 -1979
around1978

Oh Dear
2000's