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[[File: Kidderminster_Pre_Preservation.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Kiderminster Station circa 1880]]'''Kidderminster Station signal box''' (not to be confused with the SVR's present day [[Kidderminster signal box]], which now bears its nameplate) was located at the southern end of the Down (to Birmingham) platform on [[Kidderminster mainline station. It was built to a McKenzie & Holland type 1 design and opened circa 1873.<ref name=SVR131>SVR News 131, "''Signal Box 'Movements'''", Keith Beddoes</ref> On 5 February in that year the GWR had authorised the interlocking of points and signals at Kidderminster, the first mention of such interlocking in the district.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 127.</ref>

In 1877-78 a footbridge The box was built connecting the two platformsto a McKenzie & Holland type 1 design and opened circa 1873. Although its positioning obscured part of the view from the signal box<ref name=SVR131>SVR News 131, thus contravening the Board of Trade requirements that "''Signal Box 'Movements'''", Keith Beddoes</ref> On 5 February in that year the signalman should have GWR had authorised the best possible view interlocking of the railway points and be able to see signals at Kidderminster, the arms and lights first mention of signals and working of the points''", such interlocking in the situation was allowed to remain unchangeddistrict.<ref name=KDAHS>[https://drive[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p.google127.com</file/d/0B2eAFhEref> By 1893 the box had a 21-m0yheVp4QUw1cGN3aVk/edit Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society Building Record of Kidderminster Railway Stationlever frame.]</refname=SRS> The pictureSignal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, dated to around 1880revised 2011 edition,Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref name=SVR131/> shows the location of the box relative to the new footbridge; the Comberton Road Bridge is just visible in the distance between it.

The visibility issue In 1877-78 a footbridge was made worse in 1900 by built connecting the extension of the Down platform north two platforms. Although its positioning obscured part of the Comberton Road Bridge (view from the "Excursion Platform") with its associated signalling. The signal box was therefore dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt nearer to , thus contravening the running lines.<ref name=KDAHS/> Much Board of Trade requirements that "''the existing material was retained, although differences included signalman should have the shape and size best possible view of the locking room windows, railway and be able to see the addition arms and lights of five courses signals and working of facing bricks around the basepoints''", two ventilation pipes in the roof for the oil or gas lamps, and a timbered walk-way instead of a trap door covering where the signal wires and point rodding exited the locking roomsituation was allowed to remain unchanged.<ref name=SVR131KDAHS>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2eAFhE-m0yheVp4QUw1cGN3aVk/edit Kidderminster & District Archaeological & Historical Society Building Record of Kidderminster Railway Station.]</ref>

The main picture above, dated to around 1880,<ref name=SVR131/> shows the original location of the box relative to the new footbridge; the Comberton Road Bridge is just visible in the distance between it. The closer view of the same scene below reveals an earlier type of name plate on the box, with "Kidderminster Station " and "Signal Box" on separate boards. <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Kidderminster_Station_Signal_Box_1.jpg | The original Kidderminster Station signal box</gallery> The visibility issue was made worse in 1900 by the extension of the Down platform north of the Comberton Road Bridge (the "Excursion Platform") with its associated signalling. The signal box worked directly was therefore dismantled brick by brick and rebuilt nearer to the running lines.<ref name=KDAHS/> Much of the existing material was retained, although differences included the shape and size of the locking room windows, the addition of five courses of facing bricks around the base, two ventilation pipes in the roof for the oil or gas lamps, and a timbered walk-way instead of a trap door covering where the signal wires and point rodding exited the locking room, as seen in the view below.<ref name=SVR131/> <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Kidderminster_Station_Signal_Box_2.jpg | The relocated and rebuilt signal boxKidderminster Plan 1905.png| GWR Worcester Division Station Plan of Kidderminster, 1905.</gallery> The GWR Station Plan above shows the layout in 1905. In addition to the Station's signals, the Station box controlled the points adjacent to it which gave access to the carriage sidings and the original Engine Shed north of the main line and to the Goods Shed siding to the south. It also controlled the points beyond the Comberton Road bridge which gave access to the carriage cleaners siding. The [[Kidderminster Junction signal box | Kidderminster Junction Signal Box]] controlled access to the main goods yard sidings and to the Severn Valley Branch itself. On 1 May 1913 the 21-lever frame was replaced by a larger 30-lever GWR 3-bar vertical tappet frame.<ref name=SRS/> The Station box worked directly to Kidderminster Junction Signal Box until 15th July 1973 when the former was closed and its area of control came under the Junction Box. Its frame, a The 30-lever GWR 3-bar vertical tappet frame of 1913, was then transferred to the ex-LNWR box at [[Arley signal box|Arley]]. The Station Box was subsequently demolished; its name plate now adorns the SVR's [[Kidderminster Station signal box (1987 onwards)|Kidderminster signal box]] which opened in 1987. <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Kidderminster signal box.jpg | The SVR's new signal box with the original nameplate</gallery>

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