The mayor of Wakefield, Coun Janet Holmes, and Normanton MP Bill O'Brien were joined by representitives from Network Rail for a tour of the new facilities.
Originally commissioned in 1963, Healey Mills took over the work formerley done in seven manually operated signal boxes.
The box, carefully sited near a marshalling yard, was a vital link between the industrial West Riding , the East Coast ports of Hull and Goole, and the industrial areas of Lancashire and the Mersey.
Although there were significant reductions in freight traffic in the 70's and 80's, Healey mills Signal Box still has a strategic role to play. It controls the movemnets of 20 trains per hour including the Trans-Pennine Express, local commuter trains and freight trains.
Graham Botham, route director for Network Rail, said: "The multi-million pound refurbishment undertaken last year has breathed new life into the signalling operation at Healey Mills, making it one of the most modern signal boxes in the country."
The refurbishment including a new panel and signal relay interlocking at Healey Mills , a new interlocking at Thornhill, a new telephone system and complete refurbishment of the cable route works.
Signal of Intent: From left, Normanton MP Bill O'Brien, the mayor of Wakefield Coun Janet Holmed and signalman David Pendleton on a celebratory tour of the new Healey Mills Signal Box (Picture HealeyMills.om)
Info: Ossett and Horbury Observer