The Station
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The picture above shows the entrance to the railway, which is located in the main square, next to Pets Corner.
When the train first started running the station was hidden from view by a large brick wall. The ticket office was a garden shed and it appears that the platform was made from compacted ash surrounded by railway sleepers.
It has come a long way since the early days. A brick built ticket office was built in the 70's along with the platforms being relaid with slabs. A canopy has been added, in two stages, to cover half of the platform. It has all been designed and built to capture 'the golden age of steam'. Older people enjoy looking at the replica advertising boards that advertise products from the 1940's and 1950's etc. As you leave the station, you will walk past the turntable and may see the engine being turned around.
During the summer months the station is a blaze of colour with bedding plants in large pots and hanging baskets along the platform, showing a sense of care and pride, something that has long gone on main line station platforms.
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A photo showing some of the advertising boards with products from a bygone era.
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A winter scene taken in early 2006
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An aerial shot of platform 2, the sidings and the engine shed. The engine shed was built in 1983, which includes a canteen and staff toilet. Prior to this, two engines were stored in an ordinary shed and one engine was stored in a corrugated shed that also had a workbench in.
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This photo shows the original engine sheds that were erected in the late 60's by Minirail. This picture was taken around 1980 and shows Robin working on a new set of points.
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© J.E. Hayton
This photo shows the station area in the late 60's
There is quite a lot here for the enthusiast to look at, so if you click HERE the full size image will be displayed.