Par Signal Box - Listed signal box reopens as training facility

[John Luxton]

Par Signal Box has been retained and has now been opened as a training facility. Good to see this. Anyone know what is happening the with the other boxes in Cornwall which have been recently been made redundant?

The future of a historic signal box has been secured with an agreement to use it as a training facility.

A ceremony was held to hand over the keys to Par signal box in Cornwall, one of the oldest still standing, from Network Rail’s operations team to the maintenance team.

Grade II-listed signal box reopens as training facility in Par

Par's signal box, in Cornwall, is one of the oldest still standing but was closed in March.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Good to see that it has found a new role - it was the last remaining box on the NR network to have signalled broad gauge trains. It does suggest, however, that the remaining boxes in Cornwall are not going to be replaced any time soon - good for enthusiasts, not so good for improving headways on an increasingly busy main line.

Lostwithiel is listed so it would be nice if it could become a cafe like Bodmin Parkway or Totnes - it is on the platform and could be made accessible to the public. Footfall is low at the station, however, so may not be a viable proposition. Truro is not listed and is off the platform so is probably doomed. Having said that St. Austell box, OOU for many years, still survives if increasingly decrepit.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Having said that St. Austell box, OOU for many years, still survives if increasingly decrepit.

I believe St Austell box survives as part of the station listing. However,the downside was rebuilt in a modern style many years ago and the upside is a modern replica. The footbridge has also been replaced.