Historic signal box moves into new home at Hednesford Park

But now a railway box from the 1800s, saved by council bosses, has been lowered into its new home at Hednesford Park ready for a new chapter in its life.

Part of the Chase line near Hednesford Station had to be closed in the early hours of yesterday as the signal box was lifted by crane over the track and on to a waiting transporter.

A small crowd gathered in the park as it was lowered into position by the pavilion where it was boarded up and fenced off ready for renovation work to take place.

It is due to be open to the public later this year after being restored to its former glory.

A total of £30,000 had to be raised for its rescue, with £20,000 donated by Staffordshire County Council from the sale of Pye Green Valley for housing. The remaining £10,000 was raised jointly by Cannock Chase District Council and Hednesford Town Council.

Leader of the district council, George Adamson, described the 38-lever box as 'a unique part of Hednesford's heritage'.

He said: "It would have been dreadful to lose it. Hundreds of these boxes have been lost up and down the country, so there's not many of them left.

"This is a unique part of Hednesford's heritage and something that will now be very much unique to Hednesford Park.

"When it is open, the signal box will be used as a classroom for educational purposes. Children will be able to go inside and play on the pulleys, something they've never been able to do before."

The box will also be used as an office or base when there are events on at the park.

The building, originally planned for demolition by Network Rail, was constructed in the early 1870s. It has been used ever since on the Chase Line.

The money to save it was found at the 11th hour - with just a week to go before its scheduled demolition last September.

Councillor Adamson said: "It's a really exciting project. The kids are going to love it every bit as much as are train enthusiasts."

The signal box is highly visible from the Rugeley Road, which the council says will help encourage visitors.

Its installation is one of many improvements at the park, which is currently undergoing a £3million revamp.

The makeover, taking place over three years, includes a new cafe, skate park, community room and car park.

Mike Edmonds, the council's head of commissioning, who oversaw the signal box's arrival, said a lot more work needed to be done to make it safe for the public to use.