Banbury North Signalbox - A guided tour of the working of the 'box.

[@rachelshappyendings]

It was a beautiful box and the guys who did the tours and had worked there obviously had such love for their box and pride in their diligence and safety of operation. It was an extremely interesting tour made even more special by the steam engine Tornado passing through. However as it was explained to us, the box was becoming structurally unsound and was listing noticeably towards the frame. Apparently the frame was originally in front of the windows but was moved at some point which may have exacerbated the issue. Underpinning the foundations would have required the mainline to be closed. Incidentally I was on one of the very last passenger trains the box controlled prior to being decommissioned. It was bittersweet to witness the closing of a remarkable chapter of history seeing through the night, the lone signaller in his dimly lit home watching over our progress. Thank you to everyone who made the tours possible, myself and my step-daughter learned so much! I hope that the preserved signal box at Princes Risborough will provide future generations such a rich insight into the art of railways.

[@nickwellington1]

I was privileged in the course of my work to visit it twice in the 6 months before closure. It was immaculate, despite being busy, and my colleague took great pride in both the upkeep of the box and also his own personal appearance whilst on duty. JDF was truly a master of his trade and craft, and I am saddened by the loss of structures of such beauty and character such as this, that still performed their function right up until the end. It is sad also to see the double-sided bay filled in with ballast, yet this was still in use when I visited.

[@andybuckley9223]

Nice informative video - thanks. I was privileged to be present in a BR electro-mechanical signal box near Cambridge when the 7-5-5 (box closing) signal was sent for the very last time before decommissioning back in the 80s - a rather poignant moment and a tear or two was shed.

[@sunjamm222]

Nice to see a place that I maintained a few times in the early 80s. I see the levers are still as polished as ever.

[@Mason58654]

Fantastic signals and equally admirable boxes the railways of Britain 🇬🇧 once used. I like the colors of the levers.

[@paulwilson3083]

Although labour intensive they kept the trains running, if you watch the documentaries on Kings Cross and Paddington you will see the problems and cancellations that modern signalling brings the passenger compensation paid would MORE than pay to keep these boxes operational, thank you for posting the video.

[@andybennett5570]

In the UK we would call this a signal box and there are actually still several hundred in use on the British railway network. In addition there are over 100 signalboxes in use on the network of museum / steam tourist railways in the UK so their future is secure.

[@jeffreyturner4534]

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[@jeffreyturner4534]

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[@cameronsolomon4249]

@Jeffrey Turner you are welcome :)

[@edwardhugus2772]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@jean-paulmasse1091]

Very interesting indeed !

[@doitdan2354]

I do this job in Australia... I have a “board” and have electric switches. I talk with control to keep out going and I’m coming train into the yard moving

[@Renville80]

I would hope that one of these interlocking towers could be dismantled such that it could be recreated in a safe place outside the active right of way.

[@haddockman30]

Sad that such a lovely box has been destroyed.

[@PositionLight]

Why is it being demolished if it is clearly an effective local attraction?

[@philipsparker]

Because it's on a live railway line. The fencing required to allow people to visit was safely was phenominal.

[@bryanthunderfootporter4436]

Can anyone tell me why signalmen are always using the towel when operating the levers; then draping it when not in use? Thank you.

[@andybennett5570]

It's all about pride in the appearance of the signalbox. The lever handles are usually made of bare steel and the sweat of the signslman's hand is enough to cause surface rust. This can be polished off but it's easier to prevent the levers tarnishing in the first place by using a cloth when pulling them. Every signalbox I have ever visited is equipped with a cloth!

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Pity it couldn't be saved !! Why can't someone get it listed ?

[@tonylatanza3879]

Andy, I’ve got an interview with network rail for signaller next week. Are you able to give me any advice for the interview?

[@andybennett5570]

Hi Tony, please drop me a line at [e-mail]

[@andybennett5570]

Sure, no problem. [e-mail]

[@mariofernandomoralesmorale3518]

Que se en español por favor gracias

[@mdkenne]

Old signal box is no longer, today automated signal system wireless network

[@richardprice7763]

Why do signal men use a dirty rag to move the levers?

[@andybennett5570]

You'll probably notice how brightly the lever handles shine - this is because they are bare steel and are regularly polished by signalmen to keep them that way. The signalman will always use a cloth to pull the lever as this prevents sweat from his hand causing rust to form. Pride in the job is a hallmark of the role of signalman.

[@grahamariss2111]

Whilst I have great admiration for builders, engineering and operators of these old boxes, however it is a testament to failure of British post war transport planning that we are still using them on a busy main line in the 21st century along with the stalled electrification program.

[@astragreen]

Who keeps turning off the lights it’s so annoying, is it the crowd of kids running around the playground, spoiled the hole film who edited the film?

[@timothysmith8300]

an absolute disgracefull waste of money it should have been listed /both boxes and all the signals as well.

[@philipsparker]

So you can never upgrade the railway then? This is a very busy line that needs more capacity, you can't do that and retain steam era signalling. All the mechanical parts have been saved though.

[@astragreen]

@@philipsparkerwhy wasn’t it moved brick by brick and replaced elsewhere to the exact specifications including the original fixtures and fittings, instead of allowing the vandals (BR) to smash this marvellous piece of railway history to bits, someone should have gone to prison for this disgusting rotten crime, they couldn’t get away with it if it was a listed building, come to think of it why wasn’t it listed before the anti-railway vandalism crowd who run BR moved in with the wrecking ball, totally unacceptable and disgusting!

[@philipsparker]

@@astragreen Cost? Were you willing to put your hand in your pocket to do this? And where would it go? Most preserved railways have got the boxes they need, so it's going to be sitting in a field on its own.

[@evangelicalcatholics]

Does that little kid not have a mom who can' slap him and tell him, "stop messing with stuff"?