Early in 2002 a group of St. Albans residents decided that the signal box at the end of their road had been left to decay for 25 years too many.
So, they looked at possibilities and talked to a few people and the end result was a determination to save the Grade II listed signal box. They also discovered that it has a rare 1906 Midland Railway ‘tumbler’ interlocking lever frame.
In order to accomplish this goal, they formed a Building Preservation Trust. As a registered charity, they have been awarded grants which have enabled them to lease the signal box from Network Rail and restore it.
But how did they do it?
It was pivotal, at the beginning, that the signal box was already listed and that a group of professionals got together with the determination to save it. The initial intention was purely for restoration and preservation’s sake, but it soon became clear that with an initial restoration cost of £20k and annual maintenance costs of circa £10-15k that a commercially viable plan was the only sustainable route.
The group formed a Building Preservation Trust and used the lawful consideration of curtilage to their advantage and found that the setting of the signal box was vital to its listing status and thus parking and an open space was agreed to be a part of the signal box asset.
With a parking area and a derelict patch of land to convert, the clever team created a signalman’s garden, which is ideal for community enjoyment, and thus a sustainable plan could be formulated.
A website ‘blogging’ the progress of the restoration and a healthy band of volunteers enabled the momentum achieved to be monitored and shared in the public domain – and often important requirement in the small print of grants.
Then comes the grants. By benefiting the community the project became eligible for small community-centred grants, such as those from the landfill tax. The viable commercial plan also gave confidence to the Architectural Heritage Fund, The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Railway Heritage Trust, The Esmée Fairbairn Trust and private local firms, to donate.
The Trust runs a membership scheme at £10 a year (+ gift aid) and benefits are additional online activities. All these elements take a considerable amount of time to plan, agree and execute, so once-again the strong team is essential.
The signal box has cleverly created a mini visitor centre where the signal box and the hands-on equipment are the main attractions, but the café and gift shop are crucial to give people an enjoyable stay.
The Trust have even been able to find the time to design bespoke St. Albans coal wagons for collectors for sale exclusively from their shop. Of course, these kind of delights can only occur when an established structure and income is achieved, but what an excellent thing to do!
Les O’Leary, a key member of the Trust says that one important element is the free admission to the site. It seems that you can trust in small spends and generous donations to support your hard-won grants if you provide a pleasant place to be and a happy social environment.
So we need a worthy cause, a viable commercial plan involving the community, a single-minded steering group with charity status and an enjoyable atmosphere with great cake!
The building has been structurally restored, painted and rewired and is now a valued community resource and heritage attraction. It has been recognised with awards from several bodies.
The lever frame is restored to working condition and a simulated signalling system replicates the procedures used in the box’s working life. The ‘locking’ room on the ground floor has been turned into a museum and new toilet facilities installed. The sewerage is a head ache, but that’s another story! One step at a time folks!
To find out more, read their detailed blog on their website HERE!
Early in 2002 a group of St. Albans residents decided that the signal box at the end of their road had been left to decay for 25 years too many.
So, they looked at possibilities and talked to a few people and the end result was a determination to save the Grade II listed signal box. They also discovered that it has a rare 1906 Midland Railway ‘tumbler’ interlocking lever frame.
In order to accomplish this goal, they formed a Building Preservation Trust. As a registered charity, they have been awarded grants which have enabled them to lease the signal box from Network Rail and restore it.
But how did they do it?
It was pivotal, at the beginning, that the signal box was already listed and that a group of professionals got together with the determination to save it. The initial intention was purely for restoration and preservation’s sake, but it soon became clear that with an initial restoration cost of £20k and annual maintenance costs of circa £10-15k that a commercially viable plan was the only sustainable route.
The group formed a Building Preservation Trust and used the lawful consideration of curtilage to their advantage and found that the setting of the signal box was vital to its listing status and thus parking and an open space was agreed to be a part of the signal box asset.
With a parking area and a derelict patch of land to convert, the clever team created a signalman’s garden, which is ideal for community enjoyment, and thus a sustainable plan could be formulated.
A website ‘blogging’ the progress of the restoration and a healthy band of volunteers enabled the momentum achieved to be monitored and shared in the public domain – and often important requirement in the small print of grants.
Then comes the grants. By benefiting the community the project became eligible for small community-centred grants, such as those from the landfill tax. The viable commercial plan also gave confidence to the Architectural Heritage Fund, The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Railway Heritage Trust, The Esmée Fairbairn Trust and private local firms, to donate.
The Trust runs a membership scheme at £10 a year (+ gift aid) and benefits are additional online activities. All these elements take a considerable amount of time to plan, agree and execute, so once-again the strong team is essential.
The signal box has cleverly created a mini visitor centre where the signal box and the hands-on equipment are the main attractions, but the café and gift shop are crucial to give people an enjoyable stay.
The Trust have even been able to find the time to design bespoke St. Albans coal wagons for collectors for sale exclusively from their shop. Of course, these kind of delights can only occur when an established structure and income is achieved, but what an excellent thing to do!
Les O’Leary, a key member of the Trust says that one important element is the free admission to the site. It seems that you can trust in small spends and generous donations to support your hard-won grants if you provide a pleasant place to be and a happy social environment.
So we need a worthy cause, a viable commercial plan involving the community, a single-minded steering group with charity status and an enjoyable atmosphere with great cake!
The building has been structurally restored, painted and rewired and is now a valued community resource and heritage attraction. It has been recognised with awards from several bodies.
The lever frame is restored to working condition and a simulated signalling system replicates the procedures used in the box’s working life. The ‘locking’ room on the ground floor has been turned into a museum and new toilet facilities installed. The sewerage is a head ache, but that’s another story! One step at a time folks!
To find out more, read their detailed blog on their website HERE!
