Over 7,000 applications were received for one-time tours of the former Birmingham New Street signal box for which there were just 60 places on offer.

Network Rail has contacted all lucky winners of the ballot to confirm their places and to give them an insight into what to expect when the tour takes place next Friday, 31st March. Network Rail has also thanked those who applied but weren’t successful in the ballot to attend and sent them all emails to thank them for taking part.

The tours are being organised by the North West and Central communications team in conjunction with signalling staff and has been overwhelmed by the amount of interest in the chance to tour the Brutalist building. The team is also advising anyone who has an Eventbrite raffle ticket that they are ceased to be valid once the ballot closed on Friday, 17th March and the random draw had taken place.

At its peak, the signal box controlled the movements of up to 1,200 trains a day, equivalent to tens of millions of trains over its operational life. However, last Christmas the 1960s analogue technology made way for digital when control of all train movements through Britain’s busiest station outside of London was transferred to the West Midlands Signalling Centre in east Birmingham.

WATCH: Video of the inside of Birmingham New Street signal box

The building is now set to become a training centre for the next generation of railway signallers. To find out more about the end of an era for the signal box click here.

A history of Birmingham New Street station is also available here.

Bethanie Hayton, Network Rail senior communications manager, said: “The response to our rare tours inside this important piece of railway architecture has been fantastic and has completely blown us away.

“We have spoken to everyone who was lucky enough to be randomly selected for a place on the tours and we are looking forward to welcoming them in person next Friday.

“We thank everyone who took the time to apply but weren’t lucky enough to be drawn in the ballot. However, I’d please urge people who have not been phoned in person to please not to come on the day with any form of ticket. They are now void and we’d hate for anyone to make a wasted journey and be disappointed when we have to turn them away.”