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Astonishingly, there is a signal box that has been in use on the London Underground since 1926 – or rather there was.
A new initiative to get the Circle and Hammersmith and City Lines running more smoothly means the 90-year-old signalling box in Edgware Road is finally being allowed to retire.
The age of the box is so great it has been recognised as an item of historic national interest by the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board.
London Underground’s design and heritage manager Mike Ashworth, said: “This unique signalling cabin harks back to the earliest days of London’s transport network, being originally built and used by the Metropolitan Railway in 1926. It is a testament to its pioneering design and robustness that it is still in use today.”
It is thought the new upgrade will mean a 33% increase in trains on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines by the early 2020s.
Managing director of the London Underground Mark Wild told the Evening Standard: “Upgrading the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan lines will enable us to increase capacity for millions of our customers.
“At the same time, it’s important to us that we recognise the significance of earlier technological advances made by London Underground.”
