6 Feb - STEAM TRAIN IS CANCELLED - No reason is given by the operator.
8 January
2010 - A new year heralds some new weather - It snowed and most trains
were delayed or cancelled. Our intrepid photographer waited (for some time!)
and was rewarded with swirling snow as a fast train went past.
14 Oct
2009 - Signal Box wins Civic Society award - The Mayor presented the award
to Mr Keith Webster, Chairman of the Trust in a ceremony at the Maltings.
The citation stated it was "A wonderful example of community involvement in
the historic fabric of the City. This small but vital part of our Victorian
railway system has been saved from dereliction by inspired voluntary effort
and fund-raising, and is a shining, ongoing asset for residents and visitors
alike." We are all very pleased with the recognition and appreciation
that has been shown to the project by the award.
20 Sept 2009 - Monopoly Day in St Albans - We were really pleased to be asked to take part in the St Albans Monopoly Day. We were able to stamp the playing boards, and give tickets to 500 visitors taking part in the game. A very successful and fun day - our thanks to all who organised, volunteered, and took part in the game.
12 Sept
2009 - Formal Grand Opening - Mr Jim Cornell, Executive Director of The
Railway Heritage Trust, did the honours and unveiled our new plaque during
the Heritage Open Days weekend. 750 visitors over the weekend were able to
admire the work that has been completed whilst many volunteers were able to
supply tea and cakes. Our thanks again to all who are supporting the signal
box by visiting or by helping.
9 May
2009 - Oliver Cromwell stops by. - On the way to Sheffield with much puffing
and grunting, Oliver was spotted passing the box!
8 March
2009 - Blockshelf is nearing completion. - Following a 24/7 security upgrade,
we are now hoping to complete the blockshelf. Phil has been instumental in
this work but all members have been putting in a lot of effort - Its looking
good!
30 January
2009 - Working day achievements - The website is a little slow with updates
lately - so here's a roundup of recent achievements.
13/14
September 2008 - Heritage Open Days - 1080 visitors made it a really fantastic
weekend. The sun shone and the tea and cakes flowed! Ex-signalmen turned up
to help with the signalling demo and the model railway was in full steam.
Many thanks to all visitors and volunteers for making it such a success.
7 August
2008 - A signal gift arrives - We're going to have fun connecting it to
the levers inside the box! Many thanks for this great addition to our signalling
site. After a clean up we will have it on display in the garden.
27July
2008 - Work continues inside and out - The paving around the stairs is
complete and looking good. The locking on the lever frame has also been completed.
21 May
2008 - Work on the equipment is under way - The items for the block shelf
are being cleaned, repaired and if needed rebuilt. The track diagram has been
rebuilt and is being wired ready for installation.
16 March
2008 - Inside is looking good - The painting is nearly complete upstairs
- you can see what it looked like before if you look at the beam.
10 February
2008 - The Great Lamp post caper - We have moved the lamp post. Many thanks
to all who helped especially to our friends from Network Rail who provided
the transport.
1 February
2008 - Practically complete! - All snagging has been completed and we
are all very pleased with the finished result. The 'Grand Opening' is now
being planned when we will open the box and invite all our supporters to celebrate
and admire!
13 January
2008 - Still some painting to do - bad weather has put paid to
our rapid progress recently, but the internal works are full steam ahead!
Electrical works completed and painting well on the way (stairs to finish!).
8 December
2007- The main work is nearly complete. Just a lick of paint (or
two) needed now.
1 December
2007- The Landing at the top of the stairs and new door are
well under way. Click on the photos for a better look.
11 November
2007- The National Railway Museum in York have supplied the colours
for the paintwork. With a dateline of circa 1950 we have started to repaint
the signal box in its earlier colours and refix the name boards.
6 October
2007- The roof is finished! New waterproof membrane, wooden battens and
finials with recycled Welsh slate completed the renewal of the roof. It now
looks exactly as it did in 1946 - but it doesn't leak and wont do for many
years.
9 September 2007- Heritage Open Days were a huge success! Over the weekend, we greeted 417 visitors who enjoyed the sunshine and the tours of the garden and ground floor. The steam traction engines and the signalling demonstrations were a big hit. Many thanks to all the visitors for coming to see us, and to all the volunteers who worked so hard. Watch the video!
27 August
2007- The signal box looks a little different with its cover on. The roof
can now be repaired.
5 August
2007- The underpining is nearly complete, with new sole plates and 7 of
the 8 main supporting timbers replaced. The timbers are huge, and will easily
last another 100 years. The ground floor door and window glazing beads have
been handmade to match the originals. The old and the new........
7 July 2007- Work has started on replacing the rotten bits. There are quite a few to replace, and all have to be hand made to original imperial Midland Railway sizes. The Morton Partnership Structural Engineers have visited again to check on the underpining requirements.
31 May
2007- The frame is being cleaned and broken parts replaced. Huge efforts
from Phil and Peter! Click on the photo to see.
24 May 2007- Network Rail have been sent the method statement for the scaffolding erection. They must confirm it will be safe near the overhead wires before it can be erected and building work can begin in earnest. The approval should take two weeks.
13 May 2007- The disabled access, car parking spaces, and embankment retaining wall is almost complete. Further work with planting and leveling has been carried out with over 200 shrubs and trees now in place. The gardens are beginning to bloom!
15 March 2007- The AGM was very well attended and three new trustees appointed. Our spread of trustees knowledge could now grace any major Corporation! Our thanks go to all who attended and to the County Constitutional Club for donating their premises once again.
11 March
2007- The 'native mixed edible hedge' got planted today by 14 volunteers.
Many hands make light work - but some backs are still aching. The hedge will
provide a mixture of thorns and fruits and should be spectacular in a few
years time. Another sterling effort by the volunteers.
27 February 2007- National Instruments kindly donate electronic equipment to the Trust. This support will help us build the electronic signalbox simulator that will make a visit in the future 'just like the real thing!'
14 January 2007- More dates have been uncovered! The toilet 'appendage' was added on 5th March 1963 by 'Bob' - careful detective work deciphering his mark on the inside of the wood has given us the vital clue! (He signed and dated his handiwork). The signal box was extended before 1923 - not later as previously believed. This has been proven by the discovery of many newspapers from that year under the flooring of the whole box!
3 December
2006 - Force 8 gales and storms overnight on 2 December destroy the toilet
block. Fortunately the toilet fell away from the railway line and the fence
to the track was undamaged. The damage was surveyed on 3rd December and we
appear to have been very fortunate in that the signal box itself is unscathed.
Click
to see us checking the damage.
14 November 2006 - Another busy working day that has seen further clearing of the site and the rubble in the box, plus some fence mending. Slowly but surely.....
30 September 2006 - The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation have awarded a grant of £15,000 to the Trust. We are extremely grateful for this support which has come at a crucial stage in the project.
9/10 September 2006 - Heritage Open Days were a huge success with over 300 visitors. 24 volunteers ensured that a warm welcome was extended to all of the visitors and they were entertained and informed about signal boxes in general - and this one in particular. A huge vote of thanks to the volunteers for making it possible and to the visitors for making it worthwhile.
11 June 2006 - Incredible heat made this an incredible day! The huge pile of brambles weeds and assorted wooden debris has been turned into wood chippings for the garden. The bank has been cleared further and we filled another skip with rubbish. Inside the box, Andy has started getting the glass out of the lever frame.
13/14 May 2006 - Some more amazing working days! Again, thanks to all who took part. Special mention is due to Emma who now has a part of the retaining wall and bank named 'Emma's bank!' after a huge clearance effort.
9 April
2006 - A fantastic working day! Many thanks to all who took part. A huge
amount of clearing up was accomplished by volunteers and a special thank you
to the lineside team provided by Network Rail. They were a huge help
and undertook most of the heavy work on the garden with their strimmers and
chainsaws. A marvelous effort by all concerned!
Robin
Morel and Emma Bulmer from Network Rail with the Trust's Chairman,
plus a before and after view.
6 April 2006 - Asbestos and Caustic Soda batteries have been removed from the box by Veolia ES Onyx Ltd. The Hazardous waste was of such a large quantity that we had to register the property with the Environment Agency. Our thanks go to Veolia for their prompt and courteous help with this.
23 March 2006 - The AGM was held at the County Constitutional club. A large number of Trust members were present and were heartened by all the good news. The accounts were presented, and the treasurers report can be seen here.
7 March 2006 - The LEASE IS SIGNED. After many years of effort the lease is signed and we are now the happy custodians of the St Albans South Signal Box. Much work lies ahead - and we look forward to continued support from our friends and neighbours to turn the derelict eyesore into a proud addition to the Heritage of St Albans.
11 November
2005 - The fencing has been installed. Blyth Group Ltd have erected
the safety fencing around the signal box. This was sponsored by Network
Rail and is a significant milestone in the project which will allow us
access to the site.
The fence being put up! 
and there it is!
6 September 2005 - Following meetings with our architect and the local planning authority we now believe the Planning Approval and Listed Building / Conservation area consent conditions can be met without too much additional expense to the trust. However, the conditions will force us to change some of our plans and will mean some extra expense / volunteer effort.
17 August 2005 - Planning Approval and Listed Building / Conservation area consent have been granted. Unfortunately the planning department have attached 25 conditions to the permission (is this a record?).
17 June 2005 - Our Architect has submitted the applications for Full Planning Approval and Listed Building / Conservation area consent. These can be seen on the St Albans planning website. Any objections let us know!
14 March 2005 - The Heritage Lottery Fund have awarded us a grant towards the cost of restoring the signal box. We are very grateful for this support as it means we now have sufficient funds to start the building works.
25 November 2004 - An application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant for the remaining funds required to start the project. We should know the answer at the beginning of March.
17 November 2004 - The new lease is received from Network Rail. It is with their solicitors, and ours, and on first glance appeared to meet all our requirements. However, clauses we did not expect to see have reappeared. The lease is now back with Network Rail for amendment.
11 November
2004 - Interview on BBC 3 Counties radio click
here to listen - and click on the pictures for a better look.
3 November 2004 - Lafarge Aggregates Limited award us a grant from their Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The trust is extremely grateful for this support and encouragement.
24 June 2004 - The Trust has now been accepted as a charity by the Charity Commission. Our registration number is 1104535.
15 June 2004 - Network Rail have agreed to remove the break clauses from the LEASE. We can relax a little now as the lawyers arrange the details.
18 April 2004 - We have a problem with the lease. Network Rail could exercise a break clause repossessing the signal box with six months notice. Although this is unlikely to happen in practice, the Heritage Lottery Fund are not able to support the project unless the lease is changed. Back to the drawing board!
26 March 2004 - The HEADS OF TERMS for the LEASE have arrived at long last! Thanks are due to all who helped achieve this. The solicitors can now discuss the detailed terms and arrive at the formal document. It's a much needed boost to the project and means we can progress to the next stages of planning and funding.
27 October 2003 - The Railway Heritage Trust have offered us a grant towards the costs of repair and restoration works. We are extremely grateful for this commitment and support. We are now anxiously awaiting the lease from Network Rail.
19 August 2003 - The Feasibility study has been completed. It can be done! - with volunteer support and help from grants. Its a lot more expensive than we imagined though - mainly due to rot in the timbers and a new roof needed.
25 May 2003 - The Condition report has been completed and sent to Network Rail to be attached to the lease.
9 April
2003 - The St Albans Review newspaper prints an article. Not entirely
accurate, but there's no such thing as bad publicity. Click to read...
31 March
2003 - The signal box was opened up for the initial survey. The condition
is a little worse than expected with wet rot in all of the supporting timbers.
Another challenge! The architect and one of the trustees can be seen by clicking....
20 March 2003 - The Architectural Heritage Fund approve a Feasibility Study Grant of £3,300. A major milestone has been reached, and we can now appoint an architect and proceed to answer the questions - Can it be done? How much will it cost? In short, Is it feasible?
29 January
2003 - A mention in some magazines. Click to open -
10 January 2003 - We had a meeting with Network Rail, who were very supportive and positive about the project. Objections should be resolvable and work has started on the terms of the lease - more details will be published later.
10 December 2002 - Network Rail have agreed to an on-site meeting early in January, with us and the contractors who have raised an objection. Nothing that can't be overcome - we hope.
8 November 2002 - Letter received from John Armitt, chief executive Network Rail. He has taken it up with his Property Manager, who will be contacting us shortly to advise on the current situation.
27 September 2002 - Further phone calls to Railtrack result in a 'phone again in a few months' response. Discussions amongst the group suggest a new tack is needed to raise the profile of the project.
5 September 2002 -
Looks like vandals have visited again. The gantry must have been quite
rotten before they stood on it. They won't be doing it again after the damage
they caused. Click to enlarge.
22 August 2002 - A Railtrack engineer has visited the site and has agreed its feasibility. Plans have been sent detailing fencing and access proposals. We now await the Rail regulator and Strategic rail authority's views.
21 July 2002 - A
short back and sides courtesy of Railtrack. Some of the foliage may have been
holding it up though! Click for a better look.
5 July 2002 - No
news from Railtrack - except for confirmation that the platform lengthening
for Thameslink 2000 will not encroach on the signal box. We have been given
another name to contact at the Property Division.
28 June 2002 - Talked with St Albans environment department who are very supportive of the project. Also talked with local councilors and MP - all supportive and wish to help.