This is great! What a beautiful building. Only advice I’d give is don’t grow anything edible into the soil that’s already there. Always grow into raised beds and clean soil brought in. Historical (and many current) railway land is contaminated with a lot of pollution and fuel that contains toxic heavy metals from times when pollution and fuel was not regulated so much. There’s big studies showing this and it’s highly advisable that you use raised beds and clean soil for your edible gardening!
Thank you, this is really interesting. In years gone by there were vegetable patches between the tracks. I guess, thinking about it, this may be as they brought earth in to fill in the track bed.
Grow bags will limit any cross contamination and don’t use saved rain water from an old lead flashed roof. Get a survey of the ground so you know where any nasty stuff me have been stored. Speak to a local university and ask if they would like to go a free survey as part of students learning courses if they do surveyors courses, they normally jump at such opportunities for railway properties.
Your daughters are so precious. I’m so glad they were excited by your purchase. I hope you can move in before too long so they have plenty of time living there before they are grown.
I renovated a 1900's 4 story building and what a job. A huge majority of people said it could never be done. I ignored them...... It turned out beautifully. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
Thanks for the encouragement. So far most people have been hugely supportive. The big worry was always the children, as soon as they gave us the thumbs up we knew we were onto a good thing!
What a spectacular building. Great bones and a very healthy footprint that will lend itself to very comfortable living indeed. I'm really looking forward to seeing this come together. My mind is already spinning with ideas.
I worked on many stations similar to this when a carpenter and joiner. They a normally well made and sometimes over engineer because of train vibrations. They are straight forward normally but need lots of TLR. I envy your journey and despite the hard work it will be worth it provided you take it one step at a time, good luck.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. I have been doing up an old (1901) Victorian Villa for the last five years and so appreciate where you are at. I am still I feel in the multi, multi-project space, making progress on multiple fronts, because I have to, but always feeling like I am pointing the hose where the "fire is burning hottest" - my land clearance seems never-ending, but hopefully a new addition to my arsenal - a small engine brush cutter is going to make a big impact. I know there will be ups and downs in your unexpected finds. I know I did. Best wishes from NZ.
Congratulations on your new home! Good luck with the reno. I love watching videos that have owners renovating what are very old buildings and seeing how they comply with bringing back the period styles. I'm sure this complex will look amazing when you finally get it to your plans, and yes, it will take years! The step by step changes will be like watching a flower unfolding from a bud to the actual flower. Thank you for sharing this undaunting task.👍
All I can say good luck! You all look all very excited and hope you will be extremely happy! Sadly that the vegataiton has almost took over the building and hope that it didn't damage the foundations
Such a great project 👌and a big job you had . These kinds of time-lapse from start to finish are good to watch. Best wishes to you both Simon and Beth ❤❤❤
What a beautiful station I know exactly what you’re going through, having renovated an old school, we always say that the property choose you. But in our case we got the bug for renovations and 40 years later we still get excited with the next project ❤ good luck
Wow, you must have some serious drive! We renovated our last house but it was a 3 bed semi so no comparison to this. After that I said never again…. And yet here we are!! Thanks for watching😊
Brilliant! We’ve also found that acquiring a 100 year old+ dwelling without unlimited budget that first, it’s a long term, ongoing project that must be staged by priority…from this short video, it looks like you’re well on the way…we’ve found also that, having the patience to let things emerge, idea wise as you go, reveals some better and more efficient options 🙏🏼❤️
Thank you, I hope yours is giving you a some wonderful, happy times! We’re prepared for the long haul and the many ups and downs to come (hopefully more ups)!!
Im glad you took time to clear some of the garden first. Its not just a building hidden by foliage, 'Its a Railway Station'. It will inspire you. Youve made us all envious.
This is just the coolest thing you guys are doing! I subscribed to your channel when I caught the episode where you were clearing the front walk. So many possibilities on that property wow 😍💯💚. I am an avid gardener and live in a 1928 English cottage period home in the western USA and am looking forward to following your progress. Good luck to all of you and Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
For clearing the gardens, i wonder if there is anyone around there with goats, or pigs. I know that some people make a business of bringing goats on to overgrown properties to have them clear everything.. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us, i look forward to more videos!!
Wow wow, how exciting, I wish you all the strength & positive thoughts for you renovation. The station is so lucky to have found your family. Can't wait to watch more. All the very best. 💗 It's so beautiful.
It is going to be so lovely to hang original pictures up of the station when you and your family put your stamp on this amazing building.....I am on board so glad your channel came into my feed 💜
Congratulations on getting this beautiful victorian station, yes the girls liking it is a huge bonus. It will be beautiful when you renovate it,im excited to see you along your journey. Xx
Not nearly as bad as I thought. I was thinking it was still an original railroad station condition. The fact that it was turned into a house before makes it a lot easier.
Congratulations on your new home. It will definitely be an exciting and memorable adventure...alot of work...alot of stress...but also alot of laughter and excitement as you breathe new life to this historic building & lovingly turn it into your home. Happy new year!
As someone that fell In love with old train stations after finding out about the ones renovated in my own city through lockdown and then find fishing and starting my channel , an old train station house with a bridge! and a pond! Literally sounds like the dream! 💚🤟🏽
@@theoldstationrenovation my channel ( walkerclanadventures) started out as vlogging and fishing as that's what got me back into the world after lockdown. unfortunately my river had a massive problem in that the fish all died last year so the channels been doorment for a while
I just found your channel & I'm really looking forward to following you journey. I'll be getting caught up on your previous videos! What a fun project!!
What a fantastic project you’re undertaking. I shall follow your progress as you move through the process and will keep my fingers crossed that you don’t encounter to many problems. Good luck.
How fantastic you lucky lucky familie. I will be following your journey. When I was little my aunt and uncle lived in a railway cottage. The line was live my uncle was the signal man. How I enjoyed my holidays staying there. I use to sit in the window and watch the trains go by at night. Thanks for bring back my memories. 😊😊😊
That sounds wonderful! While we’ve been researching we’ve found a comment from someone who remembers standing on the bridge as the steam trains went under… and the line closed in 1962. Wish I could have seen it. G
Lucky you! I suggest first get a roofing contractor to make sure roof is fixed and insulated before anything else. Plz think about adding features later when you start living. Make it liveable and start living in it. Try to do least amount of work in first 1-2 yrs as what u think is needed now may change when you live in it. This way you will save money by not undoing what expensive projects you are thinking now. Just clean it, paint it and insulate it, make it water tight. Then after 1-2 yrs then think fancy thoughts
Congratulations on your new purchase. Im so glad you are going to renovate this old station and making it your new home. Im sure it will looking wonderful when all completed. Enjoy the process and journey. 😊🇺🇸🇫🇷
This is a project I always wanted to do being a model railway enthusiast. During the course of my work I visited a property which was a converted station. When I entered the building it still had the original ticket office complete with original fittings. This led you onto the enclosed platform which was now the hallway with glass panels along its length and formed a rectangle across the tracks and along the opposite platform. The trackbed was converted into a swimming pool. Waiting room etc converted int rooms. Sadly it was a dream not to happen. In stead I renovated and enlarged a bungalow and landscaped a 4 acre site . 28 years on I'm still landscaping 😂. I enjoy every day I wake up. Never skimp o the power tools , wish you all well.
4 acres!!! Wow, that must be a full time job in itself. The pool in the trackbed has been mentioned, amazing idea but it’ll have to be pretty far down the list 😢
Oh yes, what fantastic building to own, it will make a lovely home and I wish you all the very best for 2024 and many years to come. Please count me for the journey ahead. 👍+ 🔔
What a nice project. I am an 0:15 architect and enjoy seeing people take on unusual projects. I think one of the most unusual projects is repurposing a lighthouse into a residence.
Loved your daughters' reaction! What lovely girls. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. You've already made an amazing start with the garden. Your dogs look pretty happy along with you!! x Nell.
I have no idea why I watched this. Congratulations. You really do have both a dream home and a historic treasure. I envy you for the adventure value, the beauty of the train station cum home. It is a lovely size with really good architectural bones. Glad your surprise worked out for your daughters as well. This is one project where I would start by having all plumbing and electrical inspected, while I gave everything a really good scrub and deep clean. Then I would purchase a white board, some thin black tape, and begin making a “white board floor plan.” Here's where I'd really have the girls and spouse brainstorm like crazy! I'd have a party-like atmosphere of nibbly-bits and a variety of colored dry-erase markers and have everyone just freely "plan" on the white board. Erasing is easy with dry erase makers and after a time things will have progressed: from the beginning when everyone is cautious and thoughtful; then the thoughts flow; then they flood; and by the end - they gotten 'enough out of their system' so to speak, that you'd actually have substantial and quality input. I'd photograph that version of white board (I'd done several photos by now). I would then definitely schedule three interior decorators to provide their input. I would want a visual on tri-fold boards with textural inputs. Designers will provide fabric swatches, bits of wood trim, paint color samples, etc. You do pay for these estimates. However, this is invaluable as this is a massive renovation and you don't want to be wrong - that is, you don't want to say later things like "Oh no, I don't like that' and feel regret. Three designers will each have their interpretation of your family's white board vision and you can mull it over before deciding which one you want to go with. After you have chosen, you will decide what you, as homeowners, will DIY and which portions of the design are best left to the interior decorator.
Thank you so much for watching! We have had a lot of input from the girls as to how they want their rooms (some bizarre suggestions)…..but now I’m sad I didn’t turn it into a party with nibbles and things, what a lovely idea!! We’ve got some plans drawn up, now we are just tweaking, once they are ready to go we’ll post some details 😊
@@theoldstationrenovation I have worked with architects and engineers and have never once heard anyone regret having hired them. However, I have heard a boatload of regrets for those who didn't. I don't have any interest to serve - just my two cents. Best wishes on your new home.
Well lucky you ! I do a lot of research on historic stations in england and have found a few photos over the years, and I think you have come up trumps with this one. Your thoughts of preserving and renovation will be great !
Thank you very much. I’m on some of the old railway groups on FB and it’s so sad to see what’s happened to some of those beautiful old buildings. It’s a real privilege to have the chance to restore/renovate such a lovely piece of history.
Omg this video popped up on my feed, after watching this 10 min video I'm hooked. Can't wait to go back and watch the rest of the videos on this plot of land.
Oh wow, this is right down my alley! I am so glad I found you and I look forward to to joining you on your journey to bring this lovely station back to life. Hugs from British Columbia, Canada.
I'm only a mile up the road and remember seeing this on Rightmove at the time. Im very jelous 😂. Ive just binge watched all of your videos and they are really good. I look forward to seeing how you get on.
Thanks, I’m really glad you’re enjoying them. I remember my wife showing it to me on Rightmove, I thought she’d taken leave of her senses 😂!! But as soon as I saw it with my own eyes I knew…
If that old stone bridge is on your property, I can visualize it with a period correct rail car under it. A perfect playhouse for your future grandchildren.
A couple of suggestions, based only on the fact I come from a family of architects -- comprising my maternal grandfather, my father, & a nephew. First, in response to comments above about needing clean soil, you have the makings on hand: mulch those trees & shrubs you are cutting down. Not only will this produce clean soil for free, it will save you buying clean soil for the raised beds & so forth. Second, if you have no immediate plans for those outbuildings, clean one out & use it for a workshop, instead of a room in the station proper. This will help with reducing the stress of living with construction all around your home 24/7. Other than that, good luck with your project!
Thanks for the comment, we’re clearing the outbuildings this weekend and if they can be secured they will be used for storage of tools and other belongings, at least until the time comes for them to be worked on. My eventual hope is to have a separate structure built as a workshop 👍
Brilliant work and congrats on your purchase. Fascinating building and I can’t wait to see how you go about working on it. We are in a similar position and bought an old school (built 1876) with the loft space still unconverted. Similar road to travel down as you guys. Good luck!
Thank you, yes we pondered on that one for a while hoping it was from a train. There was a car garage in one of the old buildings and a gearbox makes perfect sense.
I wish you and your family all the best in your new home as a joiner I myself would be so excited l will be following your videos all sounds great what you want to do
We have done a few renovations and moved on.just remember to pace yourself set each goal in small chunks so it can be completed then have a wee break no more than 3 jobs on the go at once to maintain your sanity cant wait to see how it goes good luck I have been a joiner for 40 years now and these lessons have been learnt the hard way 🤣🤣👍
I’m only half way through and just want to say congratulations and what a score! It’s absolutely spectacular. Fair play to you guys and every good wish for as smooth a restoration as possible. It’ll be phenomenal when it’s done! Subscribed.
Congratulations to you all! I'm a railroading Yank myself and think this is a really wonderful concept. There are people here that also own old railway stations and use them as homes. How neat would it be to re-lay a portion on the tracks around the platform and reconstruct the pedestrian bridge? I think that would be amazing. Wish you all great success! Definitely subscribing.
Reconstructing that footbridge would be a dream! It’s a shame to think it would almost certainly have gone for scrap. Thanks very much for watching and greetings from south Wales 🏴 👍
💕Best way to clear a garden is to organise a work party of friends & family get them to bring their gardening tools petrol ones preferably & organise a bbq with paper plates for all in attendance💕Remember many hands make light work tell everyone to bring a chair💕
I live in a somewhat rural area in New York State USA. I love the look of your railroad station. I'm subscribing so I can watch your renovation journey. You will have a beautiful unique home and gardens when completed. So happy for you that your daughters were excited about your purchase. I hope there are grant programs or assistance of some kind from your government for the restoration of such a property. My best wishes as you proceed with your very big project.😊❤
Thank you for the lovely comment. We have relatives in rural upstate New York and visited twice last year, in the winter and summer, snow and sunshine. It was beautiful!!
What a great project! And fabulous to see these gorgeous old railway structures brought back to life. Can fully understand why you want to do as much as possible yourselves, uncovering lost treasures (ok bits of platform) is so exciting 😁
Have you inquired with your neighbor, the top soil/turf vendor, if he would be open to selling some acreage so you could expand the front yard and side buffer zones ? Just a little more breathing space between the station and the next door 'industrial' site would really heighten the station's 100+ y.o. charm.
Hi guys, extremely brave decision as coming from a plumber in the building game whatever your budget is quadruple it . First job make it water tight and from a plumber's point of view looking to the future underfloor heating with a air source heat pump . Make a little mini plant room down stairs for all the plant ,manifolds, buffer tank etc etc . All walls and ceilings need to be super insulated to retain all heat . The air source system and all insulation is very very expensive but I'm sure there grant's available for guys like you . I'm busy watching all your videos as very interested in the restoration of our history . Great content and looking forward to the rest of them . One last thing get all your friends down on weekends feed and water them to do all the clearing and removing of rubbish as this just takes forever. Best of British to you all 👌
Thanks very much for the advice, really appreciate it. We’ve planned a room in the outbuilding for all of the kit that we may need, specifically the solar equipment and suchlike. The stuff in the attic space plumbing wise is like nothing I’ve ever seen domestically. There are two huge tanks which look like immersion heaters and another huge open tank for goodness knows what and then there are loads of little taps at seemingly random points in the pipe work (I clearly have know idea how plumbing works!) I suppose it doesn’t matter since it’s all coming out👍
