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Thousands clamour to see inside iconic New Street signal box

BBC Rob Fraser at work in New Street signal boxBBC
Much of the technology used on day one was still being used when it closed, nearly 60 years later

More than 7,000 people applied for a one-off tour of Birmingham's iconic New Street signal box.

Just 60 places were offered by Network Rail, to look inside the building, which was taken out of use on Christmas Eve.

It had been in operation since 1966, but signalling was moved to a state-of-the-art centre in the city's Saltley area.

Network Rail said it was "overwhelmed" by the response to the offer.

It said it had contacted all lucky attendees by telephone to confirm their places and let them know what to expect when they visit on 31 March.

Network Rail The former signal box at New StreetNetwork Rail
The Grade II listed building is one of the best-known examples of Birmingham's brutalist architecture

Up to 1,200 trains were directed by the signal every day at the peak of its use and it was responsible for all train movements through Britain's busiest station outside of London.

After the tours, the building will become a training centre for the next generation of railway signallers.

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