Railway restoration for historic Grade II listed Cheshire signal box

A Grade II listed signal box in Cheshire has been refurbished to improve future rail journeys for passengers and freight.

Signallers control equipment in the historic building at Helsby Junction to direct trains between Chester to Manchester and Ellesmere Port.

It's been upgraded as part of a £65,000 North of England railway investment.

The 122-year-old signal box’s wooden frame, outside cladding and electronics have been repaired. It also has a new roof and windows.

An upgraded kitchen and heating system has also been installed to make working there better for railway staff.

Liam Diviney, project manager for Network Rail, said: “We take great care to maintain heritage structures on the railway and the signal box at Helsby is no exception.

“This historic signal box has been restored to its former glory as part of a £65,000 North of England railway investment. This will secure future journeys for passengers and freight between Manchester, Chester, North Wales and the Wirral for decades to come.”

Signal boxes play a vital role in the safe movement of trains.

They are small buildings that house levers and equipment, which are operated by railway signallers that control the safe movement of trains from one section of track to another.

The height of the buildings also allow signallers to safely monitor the movement of approaching trains from above.

To read more about how Network Rail looks after heritage structures, visit:

www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/working-with-railway-heritage/

Pictured - Helsby signal box after refurbishment.