Hebden Bridge railway station
A beautifully preserved Victorian station
(Photos/words © urban75, March 2008)

After the unrelentless grimness of the train journey from Leeds via Bradford - all abandoned shopping trolleys, half demolished factories, trackside rubbish and bus shelter stations - arriving at Hebden Bridge was a revelation.

The Grade Two listed station has been restored back to its Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway appearance, and one can't help noticing how noticeably clearer the olden signage is.



Instead of the tiny little painted metal signs that pass for station nameboards on most modern stations, Hebden Bridge has huge wooden nameboards with raised lettering that can even be read from a moving train.

The station is still staffed and has a heated waiting room (with a stocked bookcase offering free loans to passengers) and a delightful independent cafe.



The good condition of the station is down to local action group, the Friends of Hebden Bridge Station who also lobby for practical environmental enhancement works, more train usage, better bus connections, green transport plans and more community involvement and ownership.


Old station signs.


Platform one.


Waiting for the next train.




Street entrance to Platform Two.


Main station building on Platform Two.


Platform One detail.


The still-working signal box.


A view along Platform Two, showing the staggered pltform arrangement.




Booking Hall.


The platforms are linked by a subway.


Sign close-up.


A last look along Platform Two.







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