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Correct frame details
A signal box at [[Bewdley]], working to [[Bewdley North signal box|Bewdley North]] and [[Kidderminster signal box|Kidderminster]]. Bewdley South signal box has interesting arrangements in that it works to Bewdley North by Absolute Block on the main line (platforms 1 & 2), by direction levers under [[ETT]] Regulations on the Back Road (platform 3) with the Rock Siding and Down Yard operated as through sidings. Operation to Kidderminster is via [[Acceptance Lever]].
The box passed almost immediately from British Rail's care into the hands of the SVR, and this coupled with the only minor alterations the track layout it controls has undergone, means it is one of the most 'original' signal boxes in preservation, retaining its 1909 1923 lever frame, pre-preservation block shelf and rear wall furniture, including a token instrument cupboard (one of the originals working either to Stourport, Kidderminster or Bewdley North via the Back Road) and cupboards, phone board and train register desk, complete with curve worn into it by generations of signalmen leaning against it! The box also contains a table, box stool, and short bench which possibly date to pre-preservation days. Two armchairs and a GWR table chair ex-Gloucester S&T offices provided in 1993 complete the furnishings.
The box won a National Railway Heritage Award, the Westinghouse Signalling Award, in 2007.<ref>[http://nrha.org.uk/winners-2007/ http://nrha.org.uk]</ref> The box and the privy situated adjacent to it are both included on the [[Wyre Forest District Council Local Heritage List]].
Construction of the first two signal boxes at Bewdley was authorised by the GWR Board in October 1877 as part of the opening of the [[Kidderminster Loop Line]]. They were the first 'proper' signal boxes on the Severn Valley Railway, all other boxes dating from after 1880<ref>[[Bibliography | Marshall (1989), p128]]</ref>. There is uncertainty as to whether Bewdley North and Bewdley South are these original 1877/78 build boxes or later (19th century) replacements.
The box has had three lever frames during its life. The original 28-lever McKenzie and Holland lever frame was replaced in the Box dates from September 1909 with a 31 (or 32) lever frame, and has an early example of standard replaced again circa 1923 with a GWR three32-lever 4" 3-bar vertical tappet interlockingframe. <ref name="SRSSignalBoxRegister_Update9">Signal Box Register, Volume 1: Great Western, revised 2011 edition, Signalling Record Society (plus correction sheet #9 )</ref> The interlocking has had minor alterations in preservation to suit preservation needs, but much is as it was prior to 1970.
Bewdley South signal box closed under BR ownership on Saturday 3 January 1970. The Train Register recording the closure was formerly on display in [[The Engine House]] at Highley.