Funds plea to restore town’s first station
ACAMPAIGN has been launched to fully restore Southport’s first railway station.
One of the resort’s little known gems could soon open its doors for members of the public to see inside.
Southport Model Railway Society saved and then restored the derelict 1847 station, but the seaside weather took its toll on the structure.
Two years ago the owner, Network Rail, carried out a full external renovation, but this did not include the interior of the building for which the Society is responsible.
The society has now set up a crowdfunding page to help with its internal restoration and make it suitable for visitors.
Chairman Ian Shulver said: “The building at 57a Portland Street was the first railway station in Southport.
“Then in 1948 it closed when the line was extended to Chapel Street. This building is all that remains.
“Network Rail has completed around £100,000 worth of restoration on the outside and has done a really good job. They repointed the outside and replaced cast iron gutters but no work was done on the inside however.
“We took that over but we are only a small society and the electric work alone is a significant expense. Sefton CVS suggested we do a crowdfunder and that’s been put in place by our secretary, Dr Jim Ford.”
The electrics in the buildings have not been upgraded for more than 30 years and are not up to today’s standards.
They need proper earthing and circuit breakers and there will be the expense of replastering after the work has been done.
Mr Shulver said: “We want it to be safe for the public as we would like to invite them in and create a heritage day so people can learn about the history of the station and the Southport to Liverpool railway line.
“We would also like to pay a graphic designer to create storyboards to illustrate this too as unfortunately we are not very skilled at graphic design.
“The society would like to also open up the station during its talks and hold cultural events.
“As it is now, it is accessible to the public but only in the way of it has to be pre-arranged and the society would like it to also be more presentable.”
Part of the funds would also go towards work on the garden which was the vegetable patch for the original station master.
Sefton Council is encouraging the fundraiser through the Sefton Crowd and pledges have been made by local people and businesses.
Mr Shulversaid: “People have been giving little bits, which we are really grateful for and it all adds up.
“If people would like to give to the fundraiser it is very straightforward and to quote our secretary; ‘even I can do it’.”
To donate to the crowdfunder, visit spacehive. com/southport originalstation.
To find out more about Southport Model Railway Society, visit www.southportmodelrailwayvillage. co.uk.
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