Medstead & Four Marks/Broadstone station buildings

[Thebaz]

Wasn't sure whether to post this in '.. preservation' or '... nostalgia', anyway, as you were.

I have just read in an excerpt from a book sent to me by someone (not sure which book - may be Branch Lines of Dorset by Maggs) stating that the original station building from Broadstone was re-erected at Medstead & Four marks. Is this true? Because I've looked at some images of the station buildings and none of them looks like it was any of the buildings from Broadstone!

 

[yorksrob]

The station building from Lyme Regis was rebuilt at one of the stations there, so it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

Wasn't sure whether to post this in '.. preservation' or '... nostalgia', anyway, as you were.

I have just read in an excerpt from a book sent to me by someone (not sure which book - may be Branch Lines of Dorset by Maggs) stating that the original station building from Broadstone was re-erected at Medstead & Four marks. Is this true? Because I've looked at some images of the station buildings and none of them looks like it was any of the buildings from Broadstone!

People print any old nonsense, don't they? The station building at Medstead (Up side) is the original, although it took an enormous amount of work to rehabilitate it. (The woodwork had been repurposed as firewood by a caring neighbour.) The signal box upper story came from (as far as I remember) Wilton South. The building on the Down Platform was a new build a few years ago. The only possible connection between MHR and Broadstone is the Westinghouse frame from Broadstone box, which may have been obtained by the MHR, but if so I think it was sold on.
Pat

 

[Thebaz]

Makes sense. I can't see why anyone would have wanted to re-wrect Broadstone Station building as it was a proper shack and in a terrible state of dilapidation (still in situ in 1978). Now the island platform building is a different matter - that was an interesting piece of architecture. Its still not been re-elected at Medstead though!

 

[pdeaves]

Is it possible that the article refers not to preservation but original build in 1868-ish? (I don't know, just asking the question).

 

[30907]

Broadstone (aka New Poole Jn) opened 1872 apparently.

The island platform building there did look a bit like the building at Medstead - not really surprising given the dates.

 

[Gloster]

At least part of the old Broadstone lever-frame is at Swanage.

 

[Thebaz]

Broadstone (aka New Poole Jn) opened 1872 apparently.

The island platform building there did look a bit like the building at Medstead - not really surprising given the dates.

There is a vague resemblance. I don't know when it was knocked, but I've seen photos from the early 1970's and all the buildings at Broadstone are in-situ bar the Hamworthy loop shelter which must have been demolished a number of years previously. I will dig out the article and post it here for reference in a bit.

Here's the excerpt in question.

 

[Cowley]

From what I know Medstead was the only station on the line that wasn’t built prior to the opening of the line. I think it was built about three years after the opening (which was 1865?) in 1868, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s different to the other stations on the line, ie lack of money to build something more substantial (The MHR was not in a good financial state at the time).

I believe it was originally meant to have a canopy but the lack of funds put a halt to it. Definitely the original station building though.

Edit - I’ve moved this into the History section as I think it might get more input from some of our learned members in there.

 

[Thebaz]

Edit - I’ve moved this into the History section as I think it might get more input from some of our learned members in there.

Yes, probably better there

I should mention the real interest for me here is Broadstone as I'm modelling it in N-gauge and I'm trying to pin down (no pun intended) some of the finer details.

 

[Cowley]

Yes, probably better there

I should mention the real interest for me here is Broadstone as I'm modelling it in N-gauge and I'm trying to pin down (no pun intended) some of the finer details.

It’s an interesting subject @Thebaz.
I volunteered on the line in the 90s and always loved the station. I remember them building the waiting room on the down platform, and when you look back through photos of the station from the 60s and early 70s it hits you how lucky we are that it still exists.

While we’re on the subject of models though - if you fancy sharing what you’ve been doing, this thread might be up your street? https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/do-you-have-any-model-railway-projects-on-the-go.202608/