The future of a 146-year-old signal box in Cornwall - one of the oldest still standing - is now safe thanks to a new use. 

Par signal box will now be used as a training facility.

A ceremony was held to hand over the keys to the signal box from Network Rail’s operations team to the maintenance team.

Handing over Par signal box for use as a training facility (Image: Network Rail)

Built in 1878, Par signal box was finally closed on March 4 this year, when a new digital signal system was launched in mid-Cornwall. 

But the Grade II listed box will now continue to serve the railway for decades to come.

The box will be used to help train signallers, with skills gained in mechanical signalling equally valuable on a digital system.

A rainbow over Par signal box (Image: Network Rail)

Mechanical signalling is also still in use in West Cornwall, with signal boxes at St Erth, St Blazey, Goonbarrow and Liskeard to operate the St Ives, Newquay and Looe branch lines.

Network Rail Western section manager Paul Gardiner said: “We were honoured when asked to help preserve our railway history and bring Par signal box back to life.

“It will now become a valuable training base and help educate railway workers for years to come.”