News - Station adoption
| Contact the news and picture editor. |
|
Themes Ayr Station Hotel ScotRail Levenmouth Line Alstom Belfast Grand Central Bawbee Bridge Leven Track defect Strikes Stonehaven South Ayrshire Council Glasgow District Subway ASLEF Arrochar and Tarbet Bunchrew Rosyth Boxing Day Caledonian Railway [Preserved] Caledonian MacBrayne Storm Debi Electrification Ardlui
|
A 12-year-old train enthusiast has become the youngest person to adopt one of Northern's Merseyside stations.
(Permalink) St Helens Junction Station adoption |
|
Northern is on the lookout for community custodians to help out at some of its Merseyside stations.
(Permalink) Northern Station adoption  Croston: 150272 calls at Croston on 11 May 2019 with a Preston to Ormskirk service. The vegetable garden on part of the former Preston bound platform is progressing well with potatoes, onions, broad beans and ... |
|
Northern is on the lookout for community custodians to help out at some of its Greater Manchester stations.
(Permalink) Northern Station Adoption |
|
Dumfries Adopters Railway Gardeners were thrilled to receive plants, bulbs and bird food from kind-hearted folk.
(Permalink) Dumfries Station Adoption |
|
DARG days have come to Dumfries Station.
A newly-formed team of volunteers have taken up the gauntlet, left by the former South West Railway Adopters Gardening Group, and are beautifying the busy train station on the Nith Valley Line. The team are looking for new volunteers to join them to help bring the garden back to life after lockdown, under the auspices of the Adopt-A-Station scheme operated by Scotrail. (Permalink) Dumfries Station adoption Station garden  Dumfries: Volunteers at Dumfries station in July standing alongside some of the striking floral displays that now adorn the platforms.  Dumfries: Trompe l'oeil paintings at Dumfries station on 24 October 2014 see image [[10436]]. |
|
Vacant station buildings have been transformed into a bustling community hub, thanks to the continued dedication of local community group.
A grant from the stations community regeneration fund (SCRF), which aims to help businesses and community groups convert empty station buildings into spaces which benefit the community, has seen the revamp of Kilmarnock's station. Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust also received funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, and the East Ayrshire Council's Renewable Energy Fund, allowing them to invest around £500,000 in the station's restoration. Work to bring seven rooms, which were stripped back to their brickwork in 1998, back to life, has transformed the station and the recently refurbished underpass has made connections to the town centre and new Kilmarnock College campus bright and vibrant. Now plans are afoot to convert redundant space at street level into additional office space, a bike workshop, complimentary and art therapy rooms, and locker/shower rooms. Passengers and passers-by alike can enjoy a cup of tea and a cake in the 'Storm in a teacup' café with their head in a book from the 'Killie Browser' book shop. There is also a gift shop and archive rooms for the Glasgow & South Western Railway Association. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Kilmarnock: 'Storm in a tea cup' - superb name for the cafe at Kilmarnock station.  Kilmarnock: Some fine imitation British Railways era platform enamels at Kilmarnock seen on 15/10/2016. They are in fact in the wrong colour, being Eastern Region dark blue instead of Scottish light blue, but onl ... |
|
Midlothian groups are flocking to “adopt†local stations to make railway platforms and surroundings more welcoming and people-friendly.
“Travellers will soon see the fruit of plans to improve the appearance of Eskbank, Gorebridge, Newtongrange and Shawfair stations, together with Galashiels and Stow,†said Carol Byers, chairman of the Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP), which is backing the grass-roots initiative along with operator Abellio ScotRail. (Permalink) Abellio Borders Railway ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
More than £20,000 of funding has been awarded to five Scottish volunteer groups to help them improve green spaces at five ScotRail stations across the country. The funding which was announced yesterday 22 March, will help communities improve outside areas at the stations and ensure that they are a local focal point,helping to deliver a clean and green environment.
The funding, received by groups to fund works at Aberdour, Dalry, Ladybank, Perth and Pollokshields East stations will help to support volunteer efforts to care for the gardens and grounds at the stations and improve local environmental quality. The funding was provided as part of the ScotRail Adopt-a-Station programme which is supported by environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful. The funding allows local adopt-a-station volunteers to help maintain a good environment for people using and working in local stations - enhancing the appearance of the stations through activities such as planting, gardening and encouraging biodiversity. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Aberdour: New floral display at Aberdour station on 14 July, donated by Campion Homes Ltd of Rosyth.  Ladybank: The bufferstop of the former Kinross bay platform is now clearly visible as work proceeds on the creation of a biodiversity garden with pond at Ladybank station. |
|
National Mining Museum Scotland has adopted Newtongrange Railway Station as part of the Abellio Scotrail “adopt a station†scheme.
The initiative allows the museum to improve the appearance of the station with planters and floral displays. (Permalink) Abellio ScotRail Station Adoption  Newtongrange: 67026 'Diamond Jubilee' leads the returning steam special from Tweedbank past Newtongrange with 60009 Union of South Africa on the rear.  Newtongrange: Plaque commemorating the official opening of the new Borders Railway station at Newtongrange on 9 September 2015. See image [[52489]]  Newtongrange: The zig-zag path from the station to National Mining Museum is dotted with information boards about the history of mining in the area. This one though celebrates the predecessor to the shiny new stati ... |
|
Winners of Community Rail Awards in Scotland for 2015 were:
Helmsdale Station CIC (Community Interest Company): first for innovation in community rail (major restoration of the disused station building). Sonia Cameron: first for outstanding voluntary contribution (Mallaig, Morar and Arisaig ScotRail Station Adopter). Graham and Liz Gaffney Whaite, Dalmally: third for most enhanced station building (major restoration of the disused station building). (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption West Highland Lines  Dalmally: Dalmally station on 14th May saw 156500 on the 1256 from Oban to Glasgow crossing 45407 and The Highlands & Islands Explorer with sister Black 5 44871 on the rear. This was Day 6 for the steam ... |
|
DISUSED railway station buildings are to be given a new lease of life under a £1.5 million fund launched by ScotRail and the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency. The scheme will provide 50 per cent more cash than a previous initiative which has transformed platform premises across Scotland, including as cafés, bookshops and bunkhouses.
(Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Aberdour: Aberdour didn't get a station until 1890 when the Forth Bridge and its connecting line to Burntisland opened. The full set of original
buildings remains, including the low-rise signal box seen here ...  Helmsdale: View from the footbridge towards the disused station building on the southbound platform at Helmsdale on 16 October 2006. A fine old building going to waste.  Fort Matilda: The road approach to the impressive looking 1889 station building at Fort Matilda - now sadly disused. View south on a pleasant July morning in 2007. |
|
Kinghorn train station has been named the best in the country by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The Fife station has been transformed after being 'adopted' by two local artists who tend the gardens and run an art gallery in the station buildings. BBC Scotland transport correspondent David Miller took a trip on the Fife Circle to find out more. (Permalink) Station Adoption  Kinghorn: 158735 runs into Kinghorn station on 15 April with a service to Glenrothes.  Kinghorn: Looking across the platforms at Kinghorn station in September 2012. |
|
A NEW future is being sought for Scotland’s signal boxes, which face being removed from the railways because of new technology.
Rail officials are examining ways to preserve the country’s 70 boxes, which will all be replaced by signalling centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow within years. Conservation bodies hope the success of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme to transform empty station buildings into cafes, heritage centres and other businesses can be emulated for signal boxes. [From John Yellowlees] (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Spean Bridge: Token exchange with a Fort William-bound train at Spean Bridge in October 1980.  Kyle of Lochalsh: Kyle signalbox on 24 April 2013. It has been renovated and will re-open incorporating a model railway and holiday accommodation. See image [[26348]] |
|
Pupils and staff from Hamilton Grammar have been back at work in Hamilton Central train station, sprucing up the platform with plants and flowers as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station initiative.
Central Scotland MSP Margaret McCulloch, who introduced the school to the scheme, also returned to the station to see for herself how the teens are brightening up the platform. The politician also spoke with passers-by about the difference the plants have made, bringing colour and life to one of the most frequently used public spaces in the town. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Hamilton Central: Arrival at Hamilton Central on 17 September 2008 in the form of 318 256 with a service for Motherwell.  Hamilton Central: Looking south east from the bus station towards Hamilton Central on 17 March 2006. Behind and above the station is Kemp Street, where the former Caledonian booking office and south side entrance (whic ...  Hamilton Central: Hamilton (Central). 2.6.4T 42166 entering on a Coalburn train. June 1949. |
|
For the last few months, Restart has been working with ScotRail as part of its Adopt a Station scheme. Restart provides vocational training in gardening, woodwork, picture-framing, art, catering and information technology, as well as giving participants access to personal development and peer support groups. [See news link] [From John Yellowlees]
(Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Carntyne: Volunteers at work on one of the platform displays at Carntyne on 7 October 2013. |
|
Projects short-listed for the forthcoming Community Rail Awards include 'Poetry on the Platform', a project which gives Ayrshire poets the chance to showcase their work at Largs station. 'Largs Poems and Pints' began the project in July 2012, since when it has gone from strength to strength with the poems becoming a popular and established feature at the station.
Transformation of disused rooms at Kinghorn station into a popular art gallery has also been short-listed. Here local artist Lynette Gray has converted the former stationmaster’s flat and ladies waiting room. Lynette has also planted colourful floral displays in the station’s gardens and car park. In Ayrshire, Louis Wall, a volunteer who currently tends to gardens at more than a dozen rail stations across the region has been short-listed for two awards. Finally, Inverurie station’s first-ever café, which opened in May last year, has also been short-listed. The station had been without a café until George and Jennie Lawson converted the former Lord Kintore’s Waiting Room now named The Coco Works, referencing Inverurie’s historic Loco Works, closed in 1968. Assistance and support for these and other similar projects has come via Scotrail's Adopt a Station scheme, the Railway Heritage Trust and the Stations Community Regeneration Fund. Winners of the Ninth Annual Community Rail Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Llandudno, Wales, on 27 September 2013 – watch this space! (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
IT IS known as the idyllic Highland village to which tourists make a beeline and where the BBC drama Hamish Macbeth was set.
However, the reputation of the west coast settlement has been bismirched by loitering and litter-dropping school pupils at its railway station, which have triggered a deluge of complaints to community leaders. The station is on the Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh line that Michael Palin has hailed as one of the world’s greatest railway journeys. Now British Transport Police (BTP) have moved to stamp out the anti-social behaviour by enlisting youngsters from Plockton High School, which adjoins the station, to help with its upkeep by looking after its plants and picking up litter. In a ceremony today, a plaque was unveiled by Highlands MSP Jean Urquhart to mark the station being “adopted” by a committee of pupils. (Permalink) Kyle Line Station Adoption  Plockton: In a ceremony at Plockton station a plaque was unveiled by Highlands MSP Jean Urquhart to mark the station being 'adopted' by a committee of pupils from Plockton High School.  Plockton: Celebrations at Plockton station on 26 April 2013 in connection with the adoption of the station by pupils of nearby Plockton High School - see adjacent news item. |
|
In celebration of this year's centenary of Westerton Garden Suburb, the Primary School has adopted the planters at Westerton Station, which also now features a community notice-board and a display of books and magazines.
(Permalink) Station Adoption  Westerton: 320 315 arrives at Westerton on 19 April with a service to Airdrie. |
|
A Fife artist has installed a railway-themed sculpture at Kinghorn’s
revitalised station to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its entry into a ScotRail community project. The stone sculpture of a steam locomotive – designed and donated by Kinghorn artist Kenny Munro – has been placed in the station car park. Its installation marks the end of a highly successful 12 months since another Fife artist, Lynette Gray, first started transforming the station through ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme, which aims to put stations at the heart of their communities. Since adopting the station on 16 November last year, Lynette has worked with ScotRail to replant the station gardens, landscape the car park, and turn the disused former stationmaster’s flat and ladies waiting room into a gallery. Her efforts have helped earn Kinghorn a Gold award in Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Tidy Station Standards awards. And Kinghorn has also been shortlisted for the Modern Railways Restoration Award, which will be announced at the National Railway Heritage Awards in London on 5 December. Lynette said: 'We’re really pleased to have Kenny Munro’s beautiful sculpture installed at the station. “It marks the end of what has been an exciting first year for Kinghorn station – and I am heartened by the warmth of the community's response to what has been achieved here.” Kenny said: “It’s great to be able to contribute artistically to Kinghorn station, which has been a crucial transport hub for the community and visitors for more than 150 years.” John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: 'We are delighted by Kenny’s gift to the station – and to Lynette for her ongoing achievements, which truly capture the spirit of our Adopt a Station project.' (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
INVERURIE Station has received a colourful makeover thanks to a ScotRail community project.
Local ironmongery company Watsons of Inverurie has installed two half-barrel planters, 23 tubs and a train-shaped barrel planter to brighten the station for customers. The work has taken place as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme, which aims to put stations at the heart of their communities. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
South Lanarkshire pupils have designed three railway-themed posters to
welcome passengers to Hairmyres station, as part of a ScotRail community project. And the youngsters from Crosshouse Primary School have installed two floral planters on the platform to brighten the station environment. The voluntary work has been made possible by ScotRails Adopt a Station scheme, which aims to put stations at the heart of communities. Lara Tolland, who teaches at Crosshouse Primary School, said: 'This initiative has created a motivating and engaging context for a variety of curricular areas. In particular, it has allowed a very real and relevant purpose for writing and art and design. The children have really taken ownership of the station and have begun to appreciate the positive part they can play within their own community. Crosshouse Primary School was introduced to ScotRails Adopt a Station policy by Margaret McCulloch MSP. Ms McCulloch said: Adopt a Station is a great initiative, which I was more than happy to get behind, and I am delighted that there has been so much interest in East Kilbride and other parts of Lanarkshire. The staff and the pupils at Crosshouse Primary have been really enthusiastic about the initiative and it is genuinely rewarding to see their plants and their artwork brighten up Hairmyres Station. With South Lanarkshire College successfully adopting East Kilbride station and other parts of the line being adopted in East Renfrewshire, I hope passengers travelling from the town to Glasgow will notice the positive difference that is being made at stations along the whole line. John Yellowlees, ScotRail external relations manager said: We thank the pupils for the ongoing work at the station. We are delighted that Hairmyres is one of several stations on the East Kilbride line to be benefitting from voluntary work by adopters. Voluntary gardening is also provided at Giffnock station by Max Bentley and at Clarkston by Busby & Clarkston Horticultural Society. (Permalink) Hairmyres ScotRail Station Adoption  Hairmyres: Crosshouse Primary School pupils Liam Orton, Kai Gallagher, Cameron Sinclair, Jack Ralston, and Emma MacDonald tending to one of their planters at Hairmyres station. [See adjacent news item]
 Hairmyres: Glasgow bound 156439 calls at Hairmyres during the late morning on 2 December 2010. |
|
At the invitation of Portobello Rotary who have adopted Newcraighall station, Peter Jewell, trustee of the Bill Douglas Centre at the University of
Exeter, today planted a birch tree adjoining Kenny Munro's 'Place of Dreams' sculpture. [See previous news items on this subject] (Permalink) Station Adoption  Bill Douglas: Newcraighall posters at the exhibition 'Our Childhood' in the Museum of Edinburgh until 3 September to mark the 40th anniversary of Bill Douglas's iconic film 'My Childhood'.  Newcraighall: Newcraighall ceremony - left to right club president Neil Fraser, Peter Jewell, the Club's Bill Thomson and Kenny Munro.  Newcraighall: The 'Place of Dreams' sculpture alongside the platform at Newcraighall station [see adjacent news item]. |
|
Donations to charities from the
Pitlochry Station bookshop have now exceeded £75,000. The shop - opened in 2005 under ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme – sells second hand books, with the proceeds going to six charities. They include the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) - which is also ScotRail’s charity partner. And this month, the bookshop made its first payment to a sixth charity – Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance. Ken Nichol, chairman of the Pitlochry Station Bookshop, said: “We simply opened the shop to give customers the chance to buy a book for their train journey and hand it back on return to re-sell. “We are now open six days a week, and are so grateful to ScotRail for its continuing support – without which we would not have raised so much money, which benefits a number of charities.” John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: 'Pitlochry is the doyen of our adopted stations. We are delighted at the bookshop's continuing success, and note next year marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the original Highland Main Line from Perth to Inverness.' The accommodation that houses the bookshop was recently improved with new secondary glazing, with assistance from the Railway Heritage Trust, and funding for painting was given by Perth & Kinross Council. (Permalink) Bookshop Highland Main Line ScotRail Station Adoption  Pitlochry: Welcome to the Station Bookshop - Pitlochry, July 2012. [See adjacent news item]  Pitlochry: Having called on the way from Inverness to Glasgow, 170414 is ready to depart south from Pitlochry. The station buildings are in good condition as are other pieces of infrastructure such as the signa ... |
|
A West Highland woman has become the first person in Scotland to have single-handedly transformed three stations as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station community project.
Sonia Cameron has installed six half-barrel planters at Morar, adding to the floral displays she plants and maintains at Mallaig and Arisaig. ScotRail has paid tribute to the Mallaig resident’s success in enhancing the stations on the world-famous West Highland Line (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption West Highland Lines  Mallaig: Sonia Cameron pictured alongside some of her hanging baskets at Mallaig station.  Arisaig: Classic scene at Arisaig in the summer of 1966, with the 'beaver tail' observation car on the rear of a Fort William-Mallaig train. This was one of two such vehicles built for a special train to mark ... |
|
Unused rooms at one of Scotland's oldest working stations have been transformed into a clubhouse for model railway enthusiasts, thanks to a ScotRail community project.
Kyle Model Railway Club this week moved into the revamped rooms above the main premises at Irvine station, which dates back to 1839. The award-winning club has 'adopted' the station as part of ScotRail's Adopt a Station project, which enables volunteers to develop floral displays at stations and find innovative uses for vacant rooms. Tom Rout, chairman of the Kyle Model Railway Club, said: 'We are delighted to be based at Irvine station, where it will be easier for us to recruit new members than at our previous, more out-of-the-way location at Dunaskin.' The clubhouse, which was previously used as a training suite, offers an attractive space for railway enthusiasts to exhibit their miniature railway layouts. John Yellowlees, ScotRails external relations manager, opened the new clubhouse on Monday 16 April. Mr Yellowlees said: Our Adopt a Station policy is about finding community uses for surplus accommodation, and model railway clubs are a good use because they encourage young people to respect the railway environment. The accommodation has been converted with assistance from the Railway Heritage Trust and IDP Architects. Irvine is the fifth ScotRail station to house a model railway club, with others at Gleneagles, Lanark, Fort Matilda and Maxwell Park. (Permalink) Irvine Kyle Model Railway Club ScotRail Station Adoption  Irvine: Looking west towards Irvine station in May 2007 showing the attractive and effective atrium / stairway / canopy arrangement constructed around the station building.  Irvine: ScotRail's external relations manager John Yellowlees (centre) with Kyle Model Railway Club members (l-r) Roy Garrett, Hugh McCrindle, David Wyllie, Tom Rout, Ed Bristow, and Ian Blain.  Irvine: Roy Garrett and Tom Rout, from Kyle Model Railway Club, with one of
their new layouts at Irvine station. |
|
A volunteer gardener’s work to brighten a West Highland station for
ScotRail customers has been honoured with a posthumous award. Brian Bentham single-handedly rejuvenated Falls of Cruachan station with beautiful floral displays, but he died in October last year before it was named the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership’s (HITRANS) Most Improved Local Station 2011. Mr Bentham, who had lived in Oban since 2005, had voluntarily planted and maintained colourful flowers at Falls of Cruachan since July 2010 as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station project. Mr Bentham’s daughter Mandi Dees travelled from Lyneham in Wiltshire to Inverness to accept the award on his behalf from HITRANS vice-chairman Councillor John Laing, at a ceremony on Friday 30 March. She said: “It makes me such a proud daughter to know what my dad has done to brighten Falls of Cruachan station, particularly for walkers to enjoy during the summer months. “He was very happy with his work and would spend a good few hours at the station every day, just to make sure everything looked good. “He often took his camera with him so he could see the difference he was making over time, and it is pleasing for our family to now be able to look back at those pictures.” A plaque will be installed at Falls of Cruachan station to mark the achievement. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption West Highland Lines  Falls of Cruachan: Falls of Cruachan station showing part of the legacy of Brian Bentham. |
|
Spring has sprung on Glasgow’s Cathcart Circle – with volunteers creating
vibrant floral displays at two stations as part of a ScotRail community project. Glasgow-based horticulture training agency GREAT Gardens has built, installed and planted a total of eight raised flower beds at Queens Park and Shawlands stations. The group has agreed to ‘adopt’ both stations, meaning five Cathcart Circle stations have now benefited from gardening projects thanks to ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme. Colin Anderson, GREAT Gardens co-ordinator, said: 'We are delighted to be involved in ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme. It provides an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our skills.' GREAT Gardens has also agreed to maintain four large barrel planters at Queens Park station. John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: “We are thrilled that GREAT Gardens has taken to ‘adopting’ stations on the Cathcart Circle with such enthusiasm and commitment.” GREAT Gardens provides training in grounds maintenance and horticulture for people who have been unable to make a successful transition between school, education, training or work. It is a subsidiary of Govanhill Housing Association. The other Cathcart Circle stations taking part in Adopt a Station so far are Pollokshields East, Crosshill and Maxwell Park, adopted by the Hidden Gardens, South Seeds and Pollokshields Heritage groups respectively. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Queens Park: Great Gardens volunteers Lee Ewens, Ross Connelly, Iain Borthwick and Angela Christie with ScotRail's external relations manager John Yellowlees (centre) with one of the new raised planters at Queens ... |
|
A Greenock company has ‘adopted’ its sixth ScotRail station.
In-Work Ltd, which provides gardening opportunities for people recovering from mental health issues, has added Cardonald station in Glasgow to its ever-increasing portfolio. ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme is designed to put stations at the heart of their communities. Allan Maliska, project co-ordinator for landscape contractors In-Work, said: “The scheme is ideal for us as it offers an opportunity to showcase the abilities of teams in a way that catches the public eye.” The company first ‘adopted’ Greenock Central several years ago, and has since added seasonal colour to two other Inverclyde stations - Cartsdyke and Port Glasgow. Its floral arrangements are now at Hillington East and West stations, with the latest venture at Cardonald. John Yellowlees, ScotRail’s external relations manager, said: “We are delighted that In-Work Ltd has taken to ‘adopting’ stations with such enthusiasm and commitment.” (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Cardonald: In-Work Ltd members David Steele, from Greenock, and Janette McClumpha, from Port Glasgow, with one of the colourful new planters at Cardonald station.  Cardonald: Clockwise from bottom left are David Steele, Allan Maliska, ScotRail's Cardonald station team manager Christopher McLaren, and Janette McClumpha. [See adjacent news item]
 Cardonald: Main entrance to Cardonald station on Berryknowes Road. May 2007. |
|
A colourful new train – known as Barry the Barrel – has rolled into
Glasgow’s Exhibition Centre station. It’s a train-shaped floral planter - made from old whisky barrels, and filled with spring flowers to welcome visitors to the ScotRail station. The work was carried out by The Rotary Club of Charing Cross, whose members volunteered to brighten and maintain the station environment as part of ScotRail’s Adopt a Station scheme. John Yellowlees, ScotRail external relations manager, said: “We believe that the Rotary Club of Charing Cross's adoption of Exhibition Centre will ‘lift the spirits’ of the many thousands who use or pass through the station.” Barry the Barrel train’s arrival comes just in time for the Model Rail Scotland 2012 exhibition, which organisers say will be the biggest model railway exhibition ever held in Scotland. More than 15,000 rail enthusiasts from across the UK are expected to attend the event from 24-26 February at the SECC. Trevor Graham, of the Rotary Club of Charing Cross, said: “We are delighted to adopt Exhibition Centre station, and hope that Barry the Barrel train will extend a seasonal welcome to visitors at Model Rail Scotland 2012 and other exhibitions at the SECC.” The Rotary Club of Charing Cross has also installed other planters and a flower bed at Exhibition Centre station. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Exhibition Centre: The train now standing on platform 1 is ... Barry the Barrel!.  Exhibition Centre: Photocall at Exhibition Centre on 22 February 2012 with (left to right) John Papworth and Bob Holmes of the Rotary Club of Charing Cross, John Yellowlees of ScotRail, Trevor Graham, Gordon Fairbrother ...  Exhibition Centre: In this view from the east, Exhibition Centre station presents a
deceptively junction-like appearance. In fact the track on the far left is a siding, and platforms 2 and 1 serve the Argyle Line west ... |
|
A new information panel has been installed at Linlithgow Station to
commemorate its claim to be the first station in the world to have been photographed. The photograph in question was taken in 1845 by David Octavius Hill, who pioneered many aspects of the art form in collaboration with the engineer and photographer Robert Adamson. It is believed that Hill took the photograph of Linlithgow Station three years after it opened, as the basis for a painting. Almost 170 years later, the image he captured remains recognisable, with St Michael's Parish Church prominent in the background. It is reproduced in the new Linlithgow Heritage Trail information panel, by permission of the National Gallery of Scotland. The panel also celebrates more recent additions to the station. These include Mary Louise Colouris' mural of the annual Marches procession, an impressive display of flower tiles made by local schoolchildren, and three banners produced by embroiderers from St Michael's Parish Church. The panel has been developed jointly by Linlithgow Civic Trust, Pride & Passion Linlithgow and Linlithgow Heritage Trust, with support from ScotRail, the train operator, and West Lothian Council. John Aitken, chairman of the Linlithgow Civic Trust, said: 'Since Victorian times the Edinburgh-Glasgow railway line has been - and continues to be - of prime importance in Linlithgow's development. 'We are delighted that this panel, part of Linlithgow Heritage Trail, highlights the station's rightful place in history. John Yellowlees, ScotRail external relations manager, said: 'We were pleased to support this venture as part of our support for the Civic Trust's 'Burgh Beautiful' campaign. 'That campaign includes 'adopting' Linlithgow Station, with volunteers planting and maintaining beautiful barrels of flowers on both platforms.' (Permalink) David Octavius Hill Linlithgow ScotRail Station Adoption  Linlithgow: The solid (and stolid) exterior of Linlithgow station in August 2010. No fripperies here.  Linlithgow: Photocall at Linlithgow on 17 February with (left to right) John McGregor, from Linlithgow Civic Trust, John Yellowlees, ScotRail external relations manager, John Aitken, chairman of Linlithgow Civic ...  Linlithgow: The GNER 0755 Inverness - London Kings Cross 'Highland Chieftain' at speed through Linlithgow station in May 2005. |
|
A splash of brilliant colour has been added to late autumn at Prestwick Town station.
It follows more work on the floral displays and the window boxes at Prestwick Town by station ‘adopters’ Lorraine and Hugh McEvoy. The couple, who run the station cafe, first introduced half-barrel planters on the station platforms in May this year under train operator ScotRail’s ’adopt a station scheme.’ (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Prestwick Town: A colourful welcome to Prestwick Town station - see news item. |
|
A PROJECT that has transformed a Glasgow railway station sums up the spirit of the Evening Times’ Streets Ahead campaign – bringing people together to create better communities.
Friends Of Rosshall Park And Gardens have achieved the remarkable feat within months of adopting Crookston station, in the south of the city. It is an example of what can be done through partnership. (Permalink) Station Adoption  Crookston: The attractive planters at Crookston (courtesy of the Friends of Rosshall Park and Gardens) add to the pleasant autumn scene on 30 September 2011. In the background a service on the Paisley Canal line ...  Crookston: View west over the current Crookston station on 20 May 2007. The restored former station building stands on the right. See image [[15060]]  Crookston: Corkerhill Jubilee 45677 Beatty with a Starlight Special passing Crookston on Sunday 1 July 1962. [Railscot note: The Starlight Specials were launched in 1953 to provide cheap ove ... |
|
Cupar has been named 'Scotland’s ‘Best Adopted Station 2011’ by Passenger Focus, the independent passenger watchdog. The award follows the creation of a Heritage Centre in the former stationmaster’s cottage by Cupar Heritage, the local history society.
The conversion is part of the ScotRail 'Adopt a Station' Scheme, with financial support for the Heritage Centre from the Railway Heritage Trust and the Stations Community Regeneration Fund. Robert Samson, Scottish link manager for Passenger Focus, said the award 'exemplifies the spirit of a station that is at the heart of its community.' (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Cupar: ScotRail external relations manager John Yellowlees makes the presentation to Councillor Margaret Kennedy at Cupar station on 14 November 2011. They are joined by staff members John Mullen and Hannah ...  Cupar: The main station building at Cupar, complete with its impressive floral arrangements, seen here looking north from the car park on 18 July 2010. |
|
A Giffnock man who has ‘adopted’ the local railway station was praised yesterday by ScotRail for his gardening prowess. Max Bentley, 69, has been caring for plants at the station for three years under the train operator’s Adopt a Station scheme which aims to put stations at the heart of communities.
(Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Giffnock: A sunny, warm May Day bank holiday in Glasgow sees an East Kilbride service, formed by unit 156 436, preparing to pull away from the platform at Giffnock.  Giffnock: East Kilbride train stopping at Giffnock. CR 0.4.4T 55225. |
|
Renton Station in West Dunbartonshire has been named as the Best Adopted Station in Scotland of 2010 by Passenger Focus, the independent passenger watchdog.
(Permalink) Station Adoption  Renton: Lord Elgin opening the King Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre created by Strathleven Artizans in the former booking office at Renton Station.  Renton: Lord Elgin inside the King Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre created by Strathleven Artizans in the former booking office at Renton Station.  Renton: A Balloch - Airdrie train, formed by 320 311, arives at Renton on 1 April 2009. |
|
Dalgety Bay has become the one hundredth Scottish railway station to be ‘adopted’ by members of its local community and nearby Rosyth station has followed it as the 101st. [From EC]
(Permalink) Station Adoption  Dalgety Bay: Happy birthday to you! First ScotRail 170 455 leaves Dalgety Bay on 27 March 2008, the occasion of the stations 10th anniversary.  Dalgety Bay: [Left to right] Helen Eadie MSP, local Rotary Club President Bob Tait and First ScotRail's John Yellowlees at the photocall on 11 August 2010 commemorating the 'adoption' of Rosyth and Dalgety Bay sta ...  Rosyth: The evening Edinburgh - Fife Circle loco-hauled commuter train arrives in bright Sunshine at Rosyth on 3 May 2010 behind DBS 67018 Keith Heller.
|
|
Volunteers have been honoured by Scotrail who have adopted Wemyss Bay railway station under their Adopt A Station scheme. [From Graham Morgan]
(Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
POLLOKSHIELDS HERITAGE, the local conservation and amenity society, has ‘adopted’ Maxwell Park station with their refurbishment of the former Booking Office - assisted by Glasgow City Council, the Railway Heritage Trust and First ScotRail - for use as a small community meeting venue and exhibition area.
Officiating at the latest development in the saga of the station where he played such a prominent role throughout his youth is JACK KERNAHAN, former local resident and railway historian who ‘spent some of the happiest days of his life’ in the building, helping to maintain the platform gardens, operating the booking office and generally helping the station staff. “I used to study for University exams in the Station Master's room...lovely warmth from the stove! We had a small railway museum in the SM's room from 1966 to 1971.” On this occasion Jack will present the original map of the area which hung in the booking office – and the last station master’s hat! – restoring them to their former location. His friend and ally from those earlier days, Hamish Stevenson, a noted railway photographer, will also be attending. An Options Appraisal for the re-use of the whole of the station premises was carried out on behalf of Pollokshields Heritage by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust in 2007-8. But notwithstanding the wide range of interests attracted to the station building, it concluded that the costs of regenerating the whole building currently prohibit any potential funder. While the outstanding issues are being addressed, Pollokshields Heritage is taking the lead towards sustainable re-occupation of the whole of this iconic building with their refurbishment of the former Booking Office. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Maxwell Park: 380020 leaves Maxwell Park, with a Cathcart Circle service, on 7th June 2021.
|
|
Pedal power at Pollokshaws West Station is spinning closer to
realisation this week following the appointment of an architect to carry out a feasibility study for the introduction of a cycle resource centre. The appointment marks the next phase in the proposed 'adoption' of Pollokshaws West station by South West Community Cycles, a charity run by a voluntary committee proactive in promoting health and education in the South West of Glasgow. The charity approached First ScotRail in 2007 with a proposal for taking on one of the empty buildings at the station in which to locate a cycle resource centre for the benefit of people living in the area. As a result, First ScotRail is delighted to announce that the Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust has taken on architect, Richard Shorter, to undertake the feasibility study into the conversion of the identified premises. It is hoped that the study will find the station building suitable for establishing a bicycle hire and repair centre, complete with cycle sales and refurbishment and cycle repair training, situated within close proximity to Pollok Park and ideal for people looking to get out and about by bike. John Yellowlees, external relations manager at First ScotRail, said, "This is the next positive step in this station adoption proposal which we hope will result in a fantastic resource in the south side of the city. The study is being supported by the Railway Heritage Trust, Glasgow City Council and the Architectural Heritage Fund and made possible by our Adopt a Station scheme, which seeks to find new uses for disused buildings at stations. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption |
|
Customers at Falkirk Grahamston Station are benefiting from a brighter and more colourful overall station environment, thanks to a joint partnership between First ScotRail and the Falkirk Rotary Club.
As part of their ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme, which launched in September 2005, First ScotRail was approached by the Rotary Club with a proposal for how they would like to improve their local station for the benefit of both customers and local residents, through the installation of new floral displays and tubs. As a result, the train operating company is supporting the proposal by replacing the floral displays in the existing planters and tubs as well as renewing the compost, which should lead to more vibrant and sustained blooms. Work commenced at the station on 11 June. (Permalink) ScotRail Station Adoption  Falkirk Grahamston: Loco uncoupled, running round? A barrel train at Falkirk Grahamston.  Falkirk Grahamston: Metro-Cammell and Cravens multiple units at Falkirk Grahamston in 1966.  Falkirk Grahamston: Trains passing just west of Falkirk Grahamston on a summer afternoon in 2011. Accelerating away from the camera on the left is a service for Dunblane, while on the right is an incoming terminating se ... |
|
15th September 2006 saw the 150th anniversary of the Ayr and Maybole Railway coinciding with the 1st anniversary of the First ScotRail Adopt A Station programme.
To mark the event, a small ceremony took place at Maybole station during which a dozen flower tubs were jointly dedicated through First ScotRail and Maytag Community Development Agency and Community Council. A nice touch on the day came as a result of the vegetation on the disused platform at the station being cleared by Network Rail ahead of the event, thus revealing the station name picked out in white brickwork. (Permalink) 150th Anniversary ScotRail Station Adoption  Maybole: A summer Saturday Glasgow - Stranraer express photographed near Maybole on 15 August 1959 behind Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45732 Sanspareil.  Maybole: The street aspect of the station building at Maybole looks a good deal more
welcoming than the platform side. At the far end is the former ticket
office with lights on inside making it look like it' ... |
KML version
