Signals and safety
Step inside one of the most engaging areas of the museum, where the story of railway signalling comes vividly to life. This section is a highlight of any visit - full of hands-on experiences, fascinating objects, and the chance to step back into the world of the signalman.
Inside the signal box
Climb into the Withyham signal box, built in 1866, and try your hand at being a signalman. Feel the weight of the levers, discover how every movement once controlled points and signals, and imagine the responsibility of keeping trains safe on a busy Victorian line.
Tools of the trade
Across the gallery, explore an array of historic signalling equipment, from early hand flags to intricate mechanical apparatus. Watch a 1950s British Railways film and see how the role of the signalman evolved in the modern age. Or test your own skill in our signalling game, where you control train movements just as real signalmen once did.
From flags to electricity
The railways were among the first places where electrical engineering was put into practice. Discover how simple flags gave way to the complex systems of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—technology that transformed both safety and speed. These developments not only shaped the railways but also advanced engineering across Britain.
Why it matters
Signalling has always been the unseen guardian of the railway: the system that ensures trains can run swiftly yet safely. By exploring this section, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the skill, precision, and innovation that lay behind every journey. This is one part of the museum you cannot miss!
