Historic 97-year-old Bendigo train signal box for sale, land not included

Eight metres tall and almost 100 years old, this train signal box currently sits in a back yard in Bendigo.

Dane Wild has purchased the land it stands on and plans to sell and remove the building that was built in 1921.

He hopes train and rail enthusiasts will be keen to acquire the Bendigo A railway signal box built by the Victorian Railway.

“It’s just not fitting into our plans,” he said. “Council have said there’s nothing stopping us doing what we want with it but we want it to be appreciated into the future.”

“It’s a 100-year-old piece of history that hopefully goes to a place where it’s loved.

The train signal box was built by the Victorian Railways in 1921.

“We’re trying to find it a new place to call home by getting in touch with the correct audience, those who like Australian architecture or have an interest in trains.”

After controlling train movements at the Thistle Street bridge on the Bendigo to Melbourne line for almost 70 years, the signal box was purchased by a collector and moved to a private location in 1990.

The signal box still has a number of original features but the original 45-lever frame has been removed from the upper room.

It has recently been used as an office and a music room with the downstairs made up of one large room with a range of shelves and storage.

Pictured in 1990, the Bendigo A signal box previously sat on the train lines near the Thistle Street bridge.

“There’s a lot of information and photos on various websites about the Bendigo A signal box,” Mr Wild said.

“We have found out what it controlled and people are interested to learn about its history. It has had several uses over recent years including office space and a music room. There is a real opportunity here for someone to renovate this building and have something very unique.”

Mr Wild believes the right buyer could give the building a new lease on life.

“There are some really good examples of these types of buildings being renovated. We have seen examples where a similar railway signal box has been renovated and used for short-term accommodation,” he said.

“They are definitely unique and interesting buildings and people are always interested to find out more about how we came to own one.

“We are looking forward to the next chapter for the Bendigo A railway signal box.”