End of the line for London Bridge signal box: Final day of operation today

A major beginning tomorrow that will see a nine day closure of lines through Hither Green from tomorrow (25th July) will also see the final control panels at London Bridge switched off for good.

While most dismiss the 1974-built signal centre as little more than a concrete box I’ll confess I’ve always been a big fan with its smooth, clean lines welcoming passengers into central London.

The way it juts out at one end produces varied shadows below.

It was a hell of a lot better than turgid brown seen at the main station before rebuilding:

The old London Bridge station bridges

Network Rail this week produced a mini tweet thread highlighting the history:

Clean, simple lines with understated design than makes its presence subtly known through the overhang above approach lines.

And from next month it will serve no purpose.

It ceased to control the Southern terminal back in 2015 with other lines progressively moving away to other areas.

Perched atop Victorian viaducts

I can’t find any plans for demolition. Perhaps it will remain for response staff? I hope it stays. Guys Hospital has been reclad in pretty awful cladding and this is a nod to the area as it appeared for much of the 1970s to the 2010s before so much changes as the shard arrived and station rebuilt again.

It’s one of the few constants in recent decades. And a handsome one at that.

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J Smith

I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

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