A new railway signal box marking Burnham-On-Sea’s rail heritage is to be formally uneviled in the town this weekend.
The replica signal box has been installed in Old Station Approach at the same spot where Burnham-On-Sea’s railway station was once sited.
The station was located in what is now Burnham’s Pier Street and Old Station Approach – as pictured below.
The opening of the new railway signal box will take place this Saturday, 8th September, at 11am in Old Station Approach.
The keys will be handed over to Burnham’s Mayor, Cllr Bill Hancock, by the Burnham-On-Sea Railway Heritage Group.
In recent years, other items installed include a set of railway buffers, a station name board, a signal, information board, weather vane at the top of Pier Street.
The new railway signal box will be available to hire and those interested should contact Burnham and Highbridge Town Council on 01278 788088.
“It’s hoped that it will be used as a pop-up shop selling charity or community group items such as tombola tickets, theatre tickets, programmes, flags, poppy wreaths, wood turning items, cards, crafts, paintings, portraits, books and games,” said a spokesperson.
The railway station in Burnham’s Pier Street was opened on 3rd May 1858 with the name ‘Burnham’ and it was not until 12th July 1920 that the suffix ‘on-Sea’ was added.
The station closed to regular passenger traffic in October 1951, although summer excursions continued until 8th September 1962.
