A Great Western Railway signal box near Princes Risborough, opened in 1904 and closed in 1991, is the last surviving box that once controlled junctions in the area. After it was nearly demolished, it received listed building status following a campaign, and the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway was allowed to maintain it. Restoration is underway, including plans to connect some levers to control the adjacent railway. The next open day is Saturday 11 July 2026 from 10am to 4pm. Tea and coffee are available, souvenirs help fund restoration, and entry is free with donations appreciated. Princes Risborough station is about half an hour from London Marylebone, and the signal box is a short walk from the station platforms.
"The UK's largest surviving Great Western Railway signal box can be found half an hour from central London, and occasionally, it's open to the public to have a look inside. The next open day has now been announced. This is the last survivor of two signal boxes that once controlled a complex set of junctions at Princes Risborough, on what is now part of Chiltern Railways. Opened in 1904, it closed in 1991, when signalling control for the whole area was transferred to a modern facility at Marylebone station."
"It was nearly demolished but was given listed building status following a campaign, and a newly formed heritage railway, the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, was allowed to maintain it. They are now restoring the signal box and plan to connect some of the levers to control the adjacent Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway. Open days only happen a few times a year, and the next one will be on Saturday 11th July 2026 between 10am and 4pm."
"A lot of work needs to be done to turn this into a visitor attraction, but it's still a fascinating place to visit, to know that for nearly a century, there was a constant watch kept up here ensuring that trains could go where they should when they should and that nothing would ever go wrong. Tea and coffee are on offer, and a small collection of souvenirs helps to raise money to keep the restoration work chugging along. Entry is free, and donations are appreciated."
Read at ianVisits
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]