A historic railway signal box that is over 130 years old has travelled over 300 miles from Kent to Helston, where it will be rebuilt and restored as part of the town’s thriving heritage railway.

Previously located at Wye station, near Ashford, the signal box has been saved from demolition and gifted to the Helston Railway by Network Rail.

Following months of negotiations by one of the Helston Railway’s volunteers, Network Rail agreed to put its budget towards dismantling the signal box and transporting it to Prospidnick in June, alongside a significant grant from the Railway Heritage Trust and a contribution the Helston Railway.

One a very hot day in June, some 25 people were involved in the delicate operation of removing the signal box, including ex-offenders involved in the Brighter Futures in Rail project, who worked well together as a strong team.

Terry Denyer, Network Rail’s regional asset manager for buildings, said: “We were only too pleased to be able to support the Helston Railway when it became obvious it could make better use of a redundant signal box that would otherwise have been demolished.”

Specialist contractor Brighters achieved the almost impossible in bringing out the historic roof structure in just two pieces, and the main structural floor section in one piece. “That’s quite an achievement for a structure of that age,” said Mr Denyer.

Brighters also provided Helston Railway with replacement windows and cladding to match the existing items which were too rotten to salvage. “Brighters has gone above and beyond to make this a success, and has offered to go down and help Helston Railway when it’s ready,” added Mr Denyer.

The intention is to site the signal box at Prospidnick using as many of the original materials as possible. Helston Railway chairman Colin Savage said: “The structure has received little investment over the past 30 years as it was no longer needed for the modern railway, so we expect the wooden upper structure will require some significant attention.

“We’re excited not only to give our volunteers the opportunity to assist with the rebuilding of this signal box, but also to have a new addition to our railway.”

Built in 1893, Wye Signal Box is a Saxby & Farmer Type 12 design, a typical style on the South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham & Dover Railway between 1890 and 1894.

Although disused for several years, this example still contained around 20 levers, along with which the lever frame and locking mechanisms, which have all been donated to Helston Railway.

Work will begin on the rebuilding of the signal box in the coming months, with the ambition to complete it in 2025.