‘ Clocking in’ at historic Wemyss Bay station
HOLIDAYMAKERSandrailwayenthusiasts lookingforaccommodationwithaview oftrainsandferrieswillsoonbeable to ‘ clock in’atScotland’shistoricWemyss Baystation.
It’sallthankstoa£ 5000grantfromthe LandmarkTrust, acharitywhichrestores holisticbuildings foruseasholidaylets.
Themoney is being used to fund a feasibility study on restoring a flat in the station’s clock tower, originally used for staff accommodation, to offer stays at the iconic A- listed, Caledonian Railway station and steamer pier.
It was designed by Scottish railway architect James Miller, and now expertly looked after by the Friends of Wemyss BayStation.
The1903- built station was designed to replaceanearlier station and pier which was destroyed by fire.
TheCaledonian Railway designed the new structure tohandle the vast crowds of Glasgowholidaymakers who sailed‘ Doon theWatter’on the Clyde’s railway steamers to destinations such as Rothesay, Largs and Ardrishaig.
The station was recognisedas a historic structureby the British Railways Boardand extensively restored in 1994, while further restoration of the stationto- ship covered walkwaywas carried out in 2016.
It is today servedby ScotRail trains fromGlasgow, with Caledonian MacBrayne ferries operating to Rothesay; it is the only Clyde station and pier to survive in service.
Greg Beecroft, of the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station, said:“Weare very pleased with the idea. By far the best thing to happen to anybuilding is for it to be used and I’msure that people will have an interesting time staying there.
“I don’t know of another station, clock tower flat of this kind, so itwould provideaunique, railwayheritage, holidayexperience.”
Railway Heritage Trust executive director Andy Savage said:“Wewill nowbeworking with the Landmark Trust on a feasibility study as a first step towards a full restoration project.”
Network Rail is also replacing the tower clock’s mechanism with an electric drive, which will eliminate an access ladder that leads to the clock fromthe flat.