06 Sep 2025
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first ever steam passenger railway, the Stockton-Darlington, on September 27 1825. The whole UK railway sector is celebrating this milestone, which changed transportation history for ever, with Railway 200 celebrations.
Local charity St Albans South Signal Box is no exception, with special events during Heritage Open Weekend (HOD) on September 13-14.
Firstly, the ever-popular Garden Railway has been considerably extended, so Thomas the Tank Engine and friends will be exploring new rails, and new scenery, including an additional tunnel!
Some of the charity’s mature members who remember the days of steam in the ‘50s and ’60s have videoed their reminiscences, along with footage of steam where they lived, and their handbook, first printed in 2009, has been fully revised and updated.
They are also expecting a short ride-on miniature railway, courtesy of the North London Society of Model Engineers, to be operating on the Saturday.
The Signal Box continues to receive donated artefacts, and one of these, a Great Northern Railway (Ireland) signal is being restored, along with several other items recently received.
It is hoped that a restored bench will be on display later in September, displaying a Railway 200 theme to recognise this momentous year.
The dates of other open afternoons can be found at sigbox.co.uk. Refreshments available. Free entry, but as a charity, donations towards costs will always be welcome.
