Most signal boxes on the Great North of
Scotland Railway were fairly small structures, but the presence of the
company's headquarters, main locomotive works and a branch to Old Meldrum no
doubt all contributed to the need for this grand structure built at
Inverurie.
In contrast to earlier plain designs (see Dyce and Huntly), this style (introduced in 1896) incorporates elegant roof ridge-tiles, large window panes and decorative treatment of the timberwork.
When first opened, the box was named "Inverurie New Station" although the full title was soon dropped. The original Inverurie Station box was reduced to ground frame status, and renamed Inverurie Old Sidings) when this box opened.
The box originally contained a 72-lever
frame, but when the line was singled in 1970 all remaining boxes received brand
new frames constructed to Stevens' design by the Railway Signal Company. It is
amazing to think that these frames were built in 1970 to a design that
originated around 1870. The Scottish Region had always stuck with the "keep it
simple and solid" principle whilst other in other parts of the country
increasingly complicated and expensive to maintain "advanced" designs were
developed.