Fascinating photos show inside Birmingham's famous New Street signal box after thousands of people applied for a tour of the Brutalist concrete structure.
The iconic Grade II-listed site was at the heart of Britain’s railway network until it closed on Christmas Eve last year after 57 years of service.
The pre-cast concrete signal box has divided opinion ever since opening in 1966 and at one point was even branded one of the country's ugliest buildings.
But despite its mixed reputation, more than 7,000 people applied to get a glimpse inside the structure before the 1960s technology is removed.
A total of 60 people were selected from a ballot to go on the one-off tour of the distinctive Soviet-style Birmingham Power Signal Box today (Fri).
Photographs show a traditional signal box simulator, the now defunct 1960s control
and a huge telephone exchange which sent signals to the station equipment.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: “We were overwhelmed by the response when we announced that the Birmingham power signal box would be closing.
"So it felt like the right thing to do to open up the doors and show off this local landmark which played a crucial role for six decades at the heart of Britain's railway network.
“I hope that people will enjoy this rare look behind the scenes and that it inspires people not only to learn about the important part this building and the people who worked in it played in the railway’s past – but also discover more about how we're improving the railway for the future, too.”
The iconic Grade II-listed site was at the heart of Britain’s railway network until it closed on Christmas Eve last year after 57 years of service.
The pre-cast concrete signal box has divided opinion ever since opening in 1966 and at one point was even branded one of the country's ugliest buildings.
But despite its mixed reputation, more than 7,000 people applied to get a glimpse inside the structure before the 1960s technology is removed.
A total of 60 people were selected from a ballot to go on the one-off tour of the distinctive Soviet-style Birmingham Power Signal Box today (Fri).
Photographs show a traditional signal box simulator, the now defunct 1960s control
and a huge telephone exchange which sent signals to the station equipment.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: “We were overwhelmed by the response when we announced that the Birmingham power signal box would be closing.
"So it felt like the right thing to do to open up the doors and show off this local landmark which played a crucial role for six decades at the heart of Britain's railway network.
“I hope that people will enjoy this rare look behind the scenes and that it inspires people not only to learn about the important part this building and the people who worked in it played in the railway’s past – but also discover more about how we're improving the railway for the future, too.”
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