The Amberley Museum’s popular Rail Gala Weekend later this month will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the historic Billingshurst Signal Box.

The signal box is Grade II listed and was moved to Amberley Museum in West Sussex after being declared redundant by Network Rail. At Amberley, dedicated volunteers have restored it to working order, and their efforts will be open for visitors to see during the gala. Visitors will also be able to meet volunteer signalmen and find out how Victorian railway signalling worked to ensure Britain’s railways were safe.

The gala is being held on Saturday, 18th, and Sunday, 19th July. From 11 am to 2 pm each day, a special hands-on heritage activity area will be open next to the signal box, with historic railway objects and artefacts for visitors to handle, and a display of archive photographs. Visitors can also learn more about the history of the signal box and its signalers.

As well as visiting the signal box, steam, diesel, and electric locomotives will give rides throughout the day, and there will be a wide range of model railway layouts and exhibitions, as well as an impressive variety of historic railway vehicles.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signal box, Brolly Brewing from Horsham has created a commemorative ale, named Signal Box 150 IPA, which was brewed according to a late nineteenth-century recipe. Even better, the brewery will be offering complimentary tasting samples while there is beer available.

Other attractions during the weekend are spread over 40 exhibit areas and celebrate Britain’s industrial heritage, with traditional craft demonstrations of woodworking, printing, and pottery.

Later this year, the Museum plans to continue celebrating the anniversary of the Billingshurst Signal Box through a partnership with the Billingshurst Amateur Dramatic Society, which will stage Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story, The Signalman.

Normal museum admission prices apply for the gala, and more information and ticket booking information are available online at www.amberleymuseum.co.uk.