BIRMINGHAM New Street’s iconic signalbox, with its Brutalist external appearance, signalled its last train on December 24.
Opening in 1966 and replacing 64 manual signalboxes, situated at the west end of the station’s throat, the Grade II Listed structure controlled between Hampdenin-Arden, through Birmingham and towards Stourbridge and was one of four power signalboxes in the region.
Controlling up to 1200 trains per day, the signalbox houses a huge telephone exchange linked to mechanical relays controlling signals and points, staff manually setting safe routes for trains through the busiest station outside of London.
Grade II status was conferred on the signalbox in 1995, the citation referencing its ‘dramatic and exceptional architectural quality’ and ‘strongly sculptural form’.