The signal box at Douglas Station is the last surviving on the island; there was only ever one other, controlling the junction station at St. John's but this example was lost in 1975 when the site was cleared.  Following a tender for £805, 0s, 0d from Dutton & Co., Worcester, who provided the equipment and signalling, the 'box was erected in 1892.  Inside the box at Douglas is the last surviving example of Dutton's design of lever frame first introduced in 1889 and known as the drink-handle type, through the strange way the lever handle pivoted in place of a separate catch.  The catch mechanism itself was below the quadrants, which were therefore able to be designed in a neat manner.  The box was in use until the 1970 season when the curtailed operations that by then only operated on the South Line meant it was surplus to requirements.  In the rationalisation of the station upon nationalisation of the railway in 1978, the signal box ended up being severed from the rest of the line as much of the yard was lifted and it stood forlorn away from the running lines.  The steps leading to it were unsafe and removed, being replaced by new ones which were supported on old telegraph poles rather than the stones that were included in the construction for that very purpose.  It wasn't until 1998 when the transport headquarters were under construction that the signal box was relocated (being moved forward on rollers) the once more connect with the running lines.  At this time it also received bodywork attention and repaint into standard maroon (having previously been green, and prior to that sky blue), but it remains out of use, although accessible by new steps.  Used by staff as a mess hut, the coal fire was also reinstated at this time but sadly it is not accessible to the general public.  For many years railway employee Bobby Tate was the signalman, a well-known figure who was known for keeping his collection of plants in the 'box and his pet budgerigar!  In May 2010 the signal box was opened to the public as part of the railway's Rush Hour event and members of the Supporters' Association manned it for the ocassion.  Opportunity was taken prior to the event to re-burnish the 36 levers and polish the associated brass plates.  It is hoped that the 'box will be available for public viewing again in the future but for the present it remains out of bounds to the public.