St Albans South Signal Box

About the museum

The signal box was built in 1892 to a standard Midland Railway design to control the four-track main line through St Albans. Mechanical signalling there ended in 1979, when control moved to a new power signal box at West Hampstead, and the box closed. It is Grade II listed, but it stood empty and decayed for about 25 years.

In 2002 local residents decided to save it. They formed a building preservation trust, which became a registered charity, and leased the box from Network Rail. With grants, the trust carried out structural repairs, painting and rewiring, restored a rare Midland Railway “tumbler” interlocking lever frame of 1906 to working order, and installed new toilet facilities. The restored box opened to visitors in 2009, and it has won awards from several bodies. A plaque in memory of the railway’s First World War servicemen was dedicated there on 11 November 2018.

Today the ground-floor locking room serves as a small museum, while the operating floor above shows how a signalman worked, supported by a simulated signalling system. The surrounding land has been laid out as a signalman’s garden with working signals, lit oil lamps and a garden railway. The trust is run by volunteers and depends on donations.

Highlights

• Operating floor with a restored 1906 Midland Railway tumbler lever frame of 44 levers
• Signalling demonstrations on request, with bells to ring and levers to pull
• Garden with working signals, points, lit oil lamps and a garden railway
• Railway videos, a restoration slideshow and single-line token machines
• Every visitor receives an Edmondson card ticket as a souvenir

Permanent exhibitions

• Operating floor and museum – The restored lever frame, a simulated signalling system and displays including single-line token machines, with a small museum in the ground-floor locking room.
• Signalman’s garden – A garden themed on a signalman’s work, with working signals and points, old signs, lit oil lamps, a telegraph pole route and a garden railway.

Founded

2009

Operated by

St Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and there is no need to book; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The garden and ground floor are accessible, but the operating floor is reached by a steep flight of 18 steps. Visitors who cannot climb can watch a video of the upstairs workings downstairs. An accessible toilet is available on request. Assistance dogs and dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The garden has a garden railway with model trains, signals to operate, points to change and bells to ring. A children’s and family programme is offered at some open days.

Getting there & parking

Satnav postcode AL1 3AJ.

Amenities & dining

Light refreshments (tea, coffee and soft drinks) are served in the signalman’s garden on open days.

Events & venue rental

Private group visits for up to 40 people can be arranged outside the open days.

Plan your visit