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Inside the new building

The site may be closed to the public during the Coronavirus pandemic, but exciting developments continue behind the scenes at Romsey Signal Box.  Our new education centre is well on the way to completion, with the target of having it available to visitors soon after the eventual re-opening of the local attraction.

The new building has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£10,000) and Test Valley Borough Council (£6,000), with further support from Hampshire County and Romsey Town Councils.  The application to funders was fully supported by the headteachers of both Romsey Abbey Primary School and Romsey School, after a visit by teachers identified a wealth of opportunities for learning around the site.

Looking from the entrance through to the exit

The eventual opening of the education building will at last fulfill the original aims of the project when it started in the early 1980s.  When the signal box in Romsey was closed in October 1982, Audrey Gebbie, the headteacher of the neighboring Romsey Infants School, suggested saving the signal box as an educational resource. Unfortunately the arrival of the box in 1987 coincided with the introduction of the new National Curriculum, and the signal box did not then fit any of the syllabus.  However changes to the National Curriculum over the years have now made the signal box much more relevant, and we have been delighted to have constructed this building which is now being fitted out with a range of railway equipment which can be investigated by visitors of all ages.  Local schools will be invited to use the facilities, with the assistance of our volunteers.

In tandem with the new building, the we will also be opening a new garden railway, where children can watch "James the Red Engine" and other trains in action.  Visitors who haven’t been for some time will be surprised at all the new attractions.

Dick Hewett says: “It has taken us many years to get to this stage, but the effort has been worthwhile.  I know Audrey Gebbie herself will be delighted with news of the latest developments.”

Jamie Brooker says: "We all look forward to being able to get back to the signal box allowing work to continue. We won't be able to open to the public until restrictions are suitably relaxed. Social distancing would be a difficult problem to overcome in the signal box as space is limited so we think it could be a while before we see any open days.

Stay home and stay safe everyone"
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