Britains oldest working Signal Box - 1870 - demolition due to start next month. Billog box - Station Road.

That bridge is a treat.
Loved it when my kids were little - seeing the 'train approaching' lights and safety gates coming down we'd race to stand on top of the bridge.
The train would pass seemingly inches below.

To be fair the bridge looks a bit 'rickety' and it feels strangely 'spongey' underfoot.
Not sure it would comply with current building regs but great fun all the same
 
Many years ago, I'd be about 8 I think, dieselisation had just started and I was on old Billingham station with my Ian Allan book. The signalman was between trains having a fag on the steps, he asked me if I'd ever been in a signal box. Of course I hadn't, it was my dream job, in reception at St John's school teacher had asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up and I'd said a signlaman. So he asked me if I wanted to have a look round. Went in and he told me which levers were which and he let me set them for a train. I was bursting with excitement and went home to tell my mam.

"HOW MANY TIMES, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NEVER EVER TO GO ANYWHERE WITH A STRANGER?" Apeshit didn't come into it. Best I could do was But he wasn't a stranger, he was a signalman...

Spent a good few hours of my primary school years on that station waiting for the gates to close and the signals to change.
 
They call it "progress".
So long as local people arent involved in any level of decision making, we see our heritage across the country vandalised by architects and others - who barge through and make all the excuses you can think off.
Sickening that the heart of world-wide railways has only bits and pieces scattered across the region to commemorate its immeasurable contribution to the world.
 
Still so saddened by this. Not sure what possibly can be salvaged at such a late stage. I guess with Covid many of us have taken our eye off the ball here. But it is going to be a big, big loss for Billingham, Teesside and our rail heritage. Two lovely pieces of architecture right in the heart of a town. That is where they should surely stay for the enjoyment and enrichment of all.
 
rob_fmttm said:
Still so saddened by this. Not sure what possibly can be salvaged at such a late stage. I guess with Covid many of us have taken our eye off the ball here. But it is going to be a big, big loss for Billingham, Teesside and our rail heritage. Two lovely pieces of architecture right in the heart of a town. That is where they should surely stay for the enjoyment and enrichment of all.
Click to expand...
Wonder whether there can be an appeal to Network Rail/the council to try and save it? Once it's gone it's lost forever; there are so many stations, signal boxes that have disappeared that should still be there.
 
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