Station Name: BELFORD, for BAMBURGH

[Source: Alan Young]

Belford Station Station Gallery 4: August 1989 - July 2015
Belford signal box looking north-west from the level crossing in August 1989. The infrastructure for the electrification of the main line, which would be completed in 1991, is in place. The signal box would be closed on 8 July 1990. The tangerine BR(NE) nameplate is still in place 24 years after the Corporate Identity ‘black-and-white’ era began.
Photo by Dennis Lovett


A general view of the former station site at Belford, looking north-west from the level crossing in August 2001. Electrification of the ECML was completed in 1991. By the date of this photograph passenger trains did stop at Belford once more, but only as empty stock; since 1995 the local Newcastle-Chathill trains had to travel six miles further until a point was reached at Belford where they could switch tracks and return to Chathill where their advertised journey to Newcastle began. This was an unintended consequence of privatisation of the railways as the franchise to operate local services extended only as far north as Chathill. The station building at Belford remains intact, but the signal box, constructed in 1962, was closed in 1990 and only its base survives far (left) as a relay room. A ‘Corporate Identity’ nameplate identifies Belford level crossing.
Photo by Alan Young


Belford station building in August 2001, looking north-west from the level crossing. The building is little changed in over 30 years since it closed. At the time of this photograph it is in use as holiday accommodation. Unfortunately holidaymakers do not have the convenience of a train service that they can use.
Photo by Alan Young
Part of the nine double-tracked coal drops in the down yard at Belford in August 2007.

The forecourt elevation of Belford station looking north-east in May 2009. As befits the listed building it is well-presented. The retention of the mullions and the window glazing bars contributes much to the pleasing external appearance. If the station reopens this building is unlikely to have any practical role, as there will probably be no staffed facilities and, in any case, it is in private use.
Photo by Roy Lambeth
The former passenger station (left) and goods yard (right) at Belford are seen in May 2009, looking north-west from the level crossing. If Belford station is reopened to passenger traffic the platform would be sited opposite the old station building on the up loop line, seen on the right
Photo by Roy Lambeth
In June 2014 an EWS Class 66 hauls a southbound freight train past the former station
building at Belford.
Photo by Stephen Lewins from his Flickr photostream


The site of Belford station in June 2014, looking south-west. The station building is beautifully illuminated by early morning sunshine, with the bleak expanse of the former goods yard in the foreground. The stone building, far right, was part of the coal depot;
it adjoins the remains of the coal drops.
Photo by Stephen Lewins from his Flickr photostream
The former station building at Belford is Grade II listed and retains many of its original Newcastle & Berwick Railway features. As seen on this photograph in July 2015 the south-eastern verandah is well preserved, and this angle allows the details of its construction to be studied. The restrained Gothic arches above the doorways are a charming feature. Beyond the double (two-storey) canted bay a further verandah survives and is seen on other track-side views of the building. A small section of the old down platform is still in place in the foreground.
Photo by Terry Callaghan


Looking north-west across the extensive site of the former goods yard towards the disused Belford station’s building in July 2015. When (or if) the passenger train service is restored at Belford the new platform is likely to be on the loop line just right of centre of the photograph.
Photo by Terry Callaghan


Belford station is now used as holiday accommodation, and this photograph looking northwards across the forecourt was taken in the height of the holiday season, the final week of July 2015.
Photo by Robert Callaghan


 

 

 

[Source: Alan Young]

Last updated: Sunday, 04-Jun-2017 09:36:34 CEST
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