| Romsey Signal Box Museum open on Sunday 1st and Saturday 21st February 2026 Posted by grahame at 22:20, 31st January 2026 |     |
Romsey Signal Box Museum will be open on Sunday 1st and Saturday 21st February 2026.
We will be offering demonstrations of how a traditional signal box was operated with the chance to pull levers to work points and signals. Cowley Bridge Junction miniature signal box will be open for demonstrations as will the Audrey Gebbie discovery centre, which explains some of the principles and science behind operating signal boxes. Our cafe will be open for the sale of teas, coffees and light refreshments.
One question we are occasionally asked is how far away can semaphore signals be seen. Obviously a clear view and good visibility are important. To help with signal sighting, some railways, including the London and South Western were prepared to use tall signal posts to give the driver the best possible chance to see a signal. To ease sighting closer to the signal quite often a co-acting arm was fitted lower down the post as we see here at Ropley on the Watercress Line. Another difficulty was that lamps burning oil were not that bright, so part of the drivers route knowledge was knowing where to look. ( But years ago there was much less light pollution.)
We will be offering demonstrations of how a traditional signal box was operated with the chance to pull levers to work points and signals. Cowley Bridge Junction miniature signal box will be open for demonstrations as will the Audrey Gebbie discovery centre, which explains some of the principles and science behind operating signal boxes. Our cafe will be open for the sale of teas, coffees and light refreshments.
One question we are occasionally asked is how far away can semaphore signals be seen. Obviously a clear view and good visibility are important. To help with signal sighting, some railways, including the London and South Western were prepared to use tall signal posts to give the driver the best possible chance to see a signal. To ease sighting closer to the signal quite often a co-acting arm was fitted lower down the post as we see here at Ropley on the Watercress Line. Another difficulty was that lamps burning oil were not that bright, so part of the drivers route knowledge was knowing where to look. ( But years ago there was much less light pollution.)
