Par signal box facts for kids
The Par signal box is a special old building located at Par railway station in Cornwall, England. It used to be part of the Great Western Railway system. This building is so important that it's officially protected as a Grade II listed site. This means it's recognized for its historical value and needs to be preserved.
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What is a Signal Box?
A signal box is like the brain of a railway line. It's a building where railway workers control the movement of trains using levers and signals. These signals tell train drivers when it's safe to go, slow down, or stop. Signal boxes help keep trains running smoothly and safely, preventing accidents by making sure only one train is on a section of track at a time.
History of Par Signal Box
The Par signal box first opened in 1879. It was built using a common design from the Great Western Railway company. When it was first built, it was much smaller than it is today. It had only 26 levers to control the trains.
Over time, as the railway became busier, the signal box needed to grow. In 1913, the old control system was replaced. A new system with 57 levers was installed, making it much larger and able to control more train movements. Later, a special control panel was added. This panel allowed the signal box to manage train traffic further west, all the way to places like St Austell and Burngullow.
How Par Signal Box Worked
The main job of the Par signal box was to control the main railway line that continued towards Penzance. It also managed the junction, which is where the railway line splits off to go to Newquay. Each signal controlled from Par had a special code: 'PR'. This helped railway staff know exactly which signal was being operated from this specific box.
Why Par Signal Box is Special
In July 2013, the Par signal box was recognized as one of 26 "highly distinctive" signal boxes in the country. A government official named Ed Vaizey, who worked for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, helped to list these important buildings. This was part of a project by two organizations, English Heritage and Network Rail. Their goal was to protect these old signal boxes. They wanted to show people how railways used to be operated in the past and preserve this important part of history.
