THE FIRST railway signal box in the country to be staffed entirely by women since the Second World War is on the Cumbrian Coast line.

Rebecca Rennoldson, Amy Byrne and Holly Williams could be the first female-only team of signal operators in the country since the Second World War. The milestone was reached last month when trainee Amy Byrne joined the team.

Amy said: “It’s amazing that just starting work at Sellafield means I’ve made history! Becoming a signaller has been really hard work and involved three months of intensive training in Preston. But now I’m doing it for real I really enjoy that each day is different, and I couldn’t recommend it more as a career.”

The all-female team work in solo shifts using bell signals on the Victorian-engineered signal box.

Once the train enters the section a member of the team stands on the platform and watches the train pass by ensuring it does so safely.

They then signal it on to the next section.

The trio look after 25 signal boxes on the Cumbrian Coast line and it is hoped more women will join them in the rail industry.

Holly, who has been working on the railway for just over three years said: “I think the best thing about signalling is that you get to sort of be your own boss. You know, you’re in charge of your day, and there’s always nice people on the other end of the phone, even though you’re working on your own, you’re surrounded by a really good team of people. Compared to being at home it’s nice and quiet!”

The girls have also appeared in national news.

Speaking to the BBC about her role, Amy Byrne said: “You go into your signal box and you’re basically your own boss.

“I direct all the trains in and out and then you’ve got people wanting to cross so then you need to let them know that it’s safe to do so.

Signaller Holly Williams added: “Whenever I’ve told people you’re a signaller at the railway it’s not something you typically hear as a young female job.”