Station signal box fetches more than guide price
A DISUSED Victorian railway signal box on a station platform on the English Riviera has been sold at auction.
The imposing Grade II listed, three floor, rectangular brick and glass fronted signal box, is on one of the platforms at Great Western Railways’ busy Torre station, in Torquay.
The unique property, which dates back to when the railway station opened in 1848, was listed with a guide price of £54,000-plus and was sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions for £65,750.
Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “We had a great deal of interest from rail enthusiasts and also from local people for the former signal box which attracted a total of 41 bids from five individual bidders at the online auction.”
The top floor of the property is equipped with all its now non-functioning rows of ancient signal levers and handles and a signalman’s armchair. The signal room has a cast iron, pot-bellied, coal-fed stove dating from the age of steam, wood panelling and high ceilings and is flooded with light from the panoramic windows. The station is still in use.