Severn Bridge Junction

The complexity of the railway system in the area is brought about by the convergence of five major lines at Shrewsbury, built by two competing and yet also co-operating railways, the Great Western Railway and the London and North Western Railway:

• Cambrian Line (Joint)
• Shrewsbury to Chester Line (GWR)
• Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line (GWR)
• Welsh Marches Line: North to Crewe, and south to Newport

Severn Bridge Junction Signal Box is situated at the centre of the triangular junction and was constructed in 1903. It was opened in 1904 on the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway, which itself was jointly owned by the London & North Western and Great Western Railways. The signal box controls the southern end of Shrewsbury railway station, Severn Bridge Junction and English Bridge Junction. Its design follows that of an enlarged standard LNWR design of 1876.

Although reduced in importance through the closure of various lines and sidings, today the listed signal box houses a 180-lever frame, making it the largest remaining mechanical signal box on the British network. In 2011 it became the largest mechanical signalbox in the world following the closure of the larger box at Spencer Street in Melbourne, Australia. It operates 24 hours a day, currently controls approximately 300 train movements per day, and is operated by two signalmen.

It is expected to remain in use until at least 2030, and could potentially remain in use (as a mechanical signal box) as late as the 2050s under current Network Rail plans.^[1]

A separate signal box controls the Abbey Foregate Junction (on the Wolverhampton line) and access to the adjacent Abbey Foregate yard; its code is 'AF'.

• Shrewsbury Traction Maintenance Depot#Abbey Foregate - the adjacent Abbey Foregate Yard
• Sutton Bridge Junction
• Railways of Shropshire

52°42′32″N 2°44′45″W / 52.70889°N 2.74583°W / 52.70889; -2.74583