Community Rail Network corporate partner SLC has supported the preservation of the Grade II listed Haslemere Station signal box, which will open to the public as part of the Haslemere Railway Museum.  

Originally constructed in 1895, Haslemere Signal Box served the railway for over 130 years before guiding its last train in October 2025 and being decommissioned as part of the Farncombe to Petersfield re-signalling programme.

However, this was not the end of the signal box, as a dedicated team of volunteers has restored the building to reflect how it looked in the 1930s, helping to preserve an important piece of Britain’s railway heritage.   

To help transform the signal box into a heritage attraction and educational resource, the project team turned to SLC for support. SLC was asked to undertake a full condition survey of the signal box, assessing the state of the building, identifying urgent repairs and helping the project meet a tight deadline. 

The survey reviewed both the internal and external condition of the structure, including timber deterioration, windows, historic fixtures and the basement signalling mechanisms that once powered railway operations above. 

A ceremony to mark the handover of the keys to Haslemere Signal Box and the grand opening of the Haslemere Railway Museum took place on Saturday 13 June. 

During the event, representatives from South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex officially presented the keys to the Haslemere Signal Box Trust group. Lord Hendy, Rail Minister at the Department for Transport, was also in attendance, and guests were invited to tour the signal box and the newly opened railway museum located on the second floor of the main station building.

Ken Griffiths, chair of the Haslemere Signal Box Trust, said: “This was a tremendous day for the Signal Box Trust. Not only did we receive the key to the signal box, but we were also able to open our railway memorabilia museum to the public for the first time, preserving this piece of our nation’s heritage for generations to come.

“Thanks must be given to all the volunteers who helped us renovate the box and fit out the museum. They included SLC, Network Rail and South Western Railway employees and the local pool of volunteers from Haslemere and the surrounding district.”

Jade Masih, project engineer at SLC, said: “We believe the railway is at the heart of the community, so supporting the Community Rail Network and projects like this is one way we can give back. 

“While much of my work is normally on looking at the future of our transport network to support existing and growing communities, this project offered a rare opportunity to step back in time and really appreciate our railway history.  

“When you walk into the signal box and see the original equipment, photographs and stories connected to it, you realise how important it is to preserve places like this. It was exciting to play even a small role in helping protect that history.” 

Community Rail Network director of policy and communications Chris Birks, said: “Projects like Haslemere Signal Box show the power of community rail to bring people together around local heritage, learning and pride in place.

“We’re really proud to have partners like SLC who are willing to share their expertise to support grassroots projects that otherwise might struggle to access that kind of specialist help.

“The transformation of the signal box into a community and educational resource is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the rail industry and local volunteers work together. It’s helping preserve an important part of Britain’s railway story for future generations to enjoy.”

Jack Wharton, senior public affairs manager, South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: “We are proud to have worked in partnership with the Haslemere Signal Box Trust to refurbish and transfer ownership of the Haslemere Signal Box into community hands, ensuring its preservation as a railway museum for future generations.

The handover event on Saturday 13 June marked the culmination of three months of dedicated work. Volunteers worked tirelessly to restore, tidy and refurbish the internal elements of the box, supported by Octavius, who carried out the external repainting.

We would like to thank the Trust and everyone involved for their commitment to delivering such an outstanding community project.”

Learn more about Haslemere Community Station by visiting their website.

Learn more about South Western Railway’s work in the community here.

Discover how your community rail partnership or station group can work with SLC here.