Third stop on our trip around Heritage Open Day attractions on the weekend of 10-11 September was St Albans South Signal Box.
The Grade-II-listed site was built in 1892, but by 1980 had closed. After many years of neglect a Trust was formed in 2003 to look after it, with the signal box finally opening to the public after renovation in 2008.
The weather had turned from bad to worse by the time we reached the site (next to St Albans station), but we still managed to explore. There’s a lovely little garden, but though the rain meant we couldn’t linger our little one insisted we stop to watch Percy and James going round the bushes (see below)!
One of the volunteers gave a very detailed explanation of how the signalling works, and the view meant that we could watch mainline trains coming in regularly from both directions.
The weather meant that we couldn’t take everything in, but we’ll definitely be back on another open day. Entry is free, but charitable donations are welcomed. A full calendar of opening times can be seen here.