signal box

English

A typical traditional signal box

Noun

signal box (plural signal boxes)

1. A building, typically adjacent to or spanning a railway line, from where signals, points and (sometimes) level crossings are controlled.
   • 2019 October, Tony Miles and Philip Sherratt, Modern Railways, pages 58-59:

     This includes plans to run earlier [Sunday] services on the Derby to Crewe and Skegness routes, which will require Network Rail to open signal boxes on these lines earlier than at present.

2. The alarm-box of a police or fire-alarm system.

Synonyms

• (building for control of rail signals): signal cabin

Alternative forms

• signalbox