A PIECE of local railway history has gone up for sale.
Estate agent Darren Blower is acting on behalf of an asset management company to sell the former station master’s house and detached waiting room at Alvechurch Railway Station.
The home was sold into private ownership by Railtrack at least 15 years ago, with Mr Blower saying the couple who owned it had spent a lot on it and then rented it out when they emigrated.
He told the Standard: “It could be restored to its former glory. As long as they like trains, it could be a lovely home for someone.
“It is ideal for someone who works at home as it has the separate office which could also be used as a granny annexe or even to give a teenager some more privacy.”
Alvechurch Station was built as part of the Redditch railway line, opening for goods in October 1859 and passengers the following month.
The station master’s house was built at the far end of the collection of buildings on the platform so he could have a clearer view of the trains approaching and therefore know when he needed to go out to perform his duties.
The building in the centre of the platform – which still stands today – contained the waiting room, booking office, booking hall and women’s waiting room. All of these have been preserved and can be seen at the Severn Valley Railway Museum at Kidderminster.
The small building was used as a goods store and was demolished around 1970.
It is not known when the station master’s house stopped being used but it was unmanned when the station was overhauled in 1967.
The building has two reception rooms, kitchen, three bedrooms and bathroom while the waiting room has includes a kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. Both are uninhabitable and in need of total restoration.
An offer of £225,000 has already been received and anyone wanting to make further offers should contact Darren Blower on 0121 445 3636.
The station master’s house (the white house on the right), waiting room and store – demolished in 1970 – can be seen on this photo from the 1930s. Picture from the Philip Jarvis collection. (s)
The buildings now. (s)
The station master’s house (the white house on the right), waiting room and store – demolished in 1970 – can be seen on this photo from the 1930s. Picture from the Philip Jarvis collection. (s)
