A signal box was a small building where railway officials regulated rail traffic by operating signals and switches, among other things. During the time this signal box was active, a manageable number of switches and signals were operated from here.

This particular signal post was part of a large railway marshalling yard that primarily served freight transport from the nearby industrial city. The marshalling yard is still active today, but nowadays train traffic for the entire area is managed from a single location.

Since 2006, railway infrastructure manager Infrabel has been working on a national consolidation plan with a single traffic control centre. From 2005 onwards, the number of signal boxes was systematically reduced from 368 to 31. This signal box was one of many such signal posts that were eliminated as a result of this consolidation plan.

All the while I was exploring this structure, the cutest little goat outside was watching my every move, as if it was guarding its territory.