Station's on track
by Emily Flanagan AFTER 30 years of decay the North Lancashire rail station made famous by the film Brief Encounter is to get a facelift. The Friends of once picturesque Carnforth Station are celebrating a breakthrough in their battle to restore the station house and associated buildings after being given permission by Railtrack to go ahead with renovations. The group and many other supporters have battled for years to have the station restored to its former glory. Sadly, due to lack of funds, the last three decades have seen the station fall into ruin. Now, once work begins on Tuesday the office will be turned into a reception area for tourists, which will include an exhibition on the work and plans of the Railway Trust and the Friends of Carnforth Station. It will be manned by volunteers. Builders first have to make it safe for the public by removing a rotten beam from the ceiling. Director of the railway trust Peter Yates said: "We are well on our way now. " And the news pleased Carnforth Mayor Judith Newton, who said: "It's welcome news really. Anything that can improve our station is, because it's such an eyesore at the moment. "Tourists have commented on how dreadful the station looks and it was such a lovely building at one time. So anything which generates new improvements is going to be welcome. Let's hope it continues and more can be done." A spokesman for Railtrack said: "Railtrack have made space available in the station on the basis that we continue to work together with Carnforth station and the Railway Heritage Trust." Excerpt from Lancaster Guardian 4 th December 1998
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