We Started Digging Up Our 120 Year Old Railway Station Driveway 

The dirt, or “muck” just comes from years of fallen leaves composting naturally. The row of pavers next to the curb was likely just for proper drainage to allow runoff from the walkway platform.

It's a curb and gutter used to collect run off water before it hits the station building. A fairly common thing to see.

Next step: Lift all the slabs in front of the station, remove all roots, put down a good gravel foundation and put the slabs back nice and even. I love this project! And I love that you gained almost 2k subscribers since I found you 48 hours ago.

I suggest that the flagstone slabs are holders, meant to protect the upright curbing. Also look for a possible former channel or drain at one end to sway the water away from the platform. When creating your lawn again, maybe use the flagstone level to be where the lawn needs to be. Could be a bit of soil removal is in order.

I think those slabs are there for easy removal of water to keep safe for the passenger entrance and exiting .The grass sod has risen above as that happens in as top soil .so glad your sharing this .

The slabs remind me of what you see in some old towns with original roads. The slabs between the road and walkway carries the rain water down to the end of the road allowing it to drain to prevent puddles and splashing people as car's drive by. Regardless, its a great discovery. Love that you are uncovering this after years of debris covering them. It would be interesting to speak to elderly people in the area who remember using that station. How exciting for all of you.

Digging out the rail bed to create a large rectangular garden pond will be a great feature for your property! ❤ Your home is going to be so unique!

You are living my dream !! I'm a big rail fan !

Hard working people. This is an amazing endeavor and it will have quite the unveiling in the process.

So exciting! It's fun to find buried treasure like that. A couple of summers ago we unearthed some Victorian era brickwork at our house that had been broken and buried for decades. We cleaned it out and built it back again.

This is fascinating. ❤ Thanks for taking us along 🚂

What a project. Thank you for letting us come along with your journey Many years ago we had a project with our grounds Get your self a small digger and dumper This will save you many hours of moving thing twice Your compost as a value so start to pile it up in one place Divide your time into an hourly rate of achievement. Then look what you will achieve with a digger and a dumper. It won’t be long before you think why didn’t I do this before

Looks like 'original' guttering. All you need is a little digger or backhoe to scrape the years of built up soil/mulch/debris off and bring the grass area back down to the level of what is was. Great find and I'd leave it exactly like that to give excess water on the path somewhere to drain away from the building.👌👌👏👏👏👏💕💕

Every little detail is important in renovating and redecorating. Once the lawn is cleared and cleaned you’ll practically have a brand new lawn. 😊

That pond area will be beautiful!!!❤❤

What a great and original project. 🎉😊

Wow boy did your followers explode and comments section. Happy to see that for you.

I'm pretty sure there was driveway of some sort and those pavers was the gutter for water run off. Maybe a hard pack drive to drop off the passengers?

Binge watched all your episodes and really enjoyed them all. Can't wait to see this beauty come back to life!!

Natural slate makes a beautiful roof!

I love how your dogs hang out and watch the action!

A reciprocating saw with a branch cutting blade can remove those roots quickly without any danger. You can sink the blade right into the dirt

The slabs were common in Victorian times, fingers crossed that under the tarmac are original cobble stones.

I only found your vlog two days ago and just love it. Your project is a real winner and I look forward to following your progress for as long as it takes.

It's a beautiful building and well built. Consider yourself lucky

You need a saws all for the roots. It won’t dull like the chain saw.

Wow. Your subscriber count is finally gaining quickly! The more personal videos are making a big difference. As an early subscriber, I’m happy you are getting recognized. This is a fascinating project and your channel will do well with the right videos.

The edging you asked about is standard kerb and channel. Nothing unusual about that construction. So, you have the paving, then kerb edging, then the flat slabs you uncovered called the channel, and previously there would have been some sort of roadway surface which has been removed.

Your dogs insisting on playing ball while you work is too precious 💕

Looking better every day.

Those slabs under the dirt are a kerb & gutter, like on a street... they would have allowed the traffic / cars, carts etc access to the path, but stopping the water from getting on the path... just like they do on a road... it's why they went all the way, it was dealing with surface water... they used to make them out of blocks like that, instead of the continuous concrete they do these days... keep digging down under the tarmac, you may find more pavers as a previous road surface - the tarmac would have been applied later, over the top... keep digging and you may even find a Roman road...

Excellent property well done you will have fun doing it up thanks.

Definitely an original gutter and kerbstones for the station forecourt. It wold have originally been stone flags where the concrete flags outside the building nd cobblestones for the road surface. A previous owner most likely lifted the stone flags and cobbles to sell on to restorers or developers for quite a tidy sum, then replaced the stone lags with much cheaer concrete flagstones destroying the character, looks and history of the frontage.

The old kerb and gutter. Great job. Greetings from Australia. My 130 year old home has the same Welsh slate on the roof.

So much work to be done but I am on pins and needles to see your accomplishments step by step. Inspiring to me

The extra pavers were just to keep it tidy. The dirt is just from lack of care and caused by runoff. Much like peoples sidewalks they don’t trim. You need to set up a patreon system so people can donate. AND get Black and Decker Trimmer and blower (battery powered and female friendly) for easier cleanup. Dry clean always works best. But the gas powered ones are heavy, hard to start. Appeal to Jackery and Ecoflow for battery systems. Great job! You will have great content for months and years to come.

You are doing really well on your editing skills....the algorithm is working in your favour it shouldn't be long before your channel starts to generate an income towards this amazing venture .....every little bit will help...💜

Looking sooo good already !

Yay I love finding channels that are at the beginning of a big project. Station and grounds look amazing and look forward to seeing what you do with it.

What a lot of work! It's cleaning up nicely.

This property is going to look so good when you are done... I'm so excited to see the journey

You guys need to buy a skid steer loader which will be so handy to clear all your land. So labour saving & the best thing I've ever bought. Make sure you get one with a clam bucket.

I absolutely love videos uncovering history!

So glad to have found your channel. Congratz on 10K subscribers! Looking forward to the renovation. Perhaps a rental of a digger of some sort and hiring of a removal skip for a day or 2 for all the debris would be in order...? RU-vid ideas... if possible, tack on Episode # at the end of the title. I have had a difficult time figuring out what order to watch them in. Also, you may want to create a 'watch everything from the start' playlist. Really enjoying the progress, and looking forward to the renovation no matter how long it takes! :>

The gutters lo9k good though.😊

I think whats happened is that the original concourse outside the station probably had a few broken flags and maybe the previous owners decided to cover it all over with these rather awful (if you dont mind me saying) modern flags. In the past there would have been a traditional metalled road which ran parallel with the concourse at the front of the station. If you examine your kerb stones, they look like they were the original ones that would have been at the edge of your flags and the road. The previous owners have dug them out and used them to edge their more modern flags. I reckon it would be worth lifting a few of the newer flags in different places and try and determine whats left of the original concourse paving. It could be a bit of a gamble and you took up all of the new slabs and maybe there was only a few of the old pavers still there or maybe they are all there. If there are just a few of the old slabs missing, you could edge them with brick to make nice planter beds?

And... the big question is, did they lay modern slabs over old flagstones, next to the ones you have found. We had a house with a patio, laid over a patio 😅

I think they were laid there to keep the curb stones upright. The curbstones are there to keep the rest of the other square stones in place. Whomever did this work was a master-craftsperson; they are really beautiful. DA

Thank you. It was a pleasure to watch your video. Looks great too.

Great home improvement project to do together as a family !

Excellent!

The original level its been paved over, could be original flags under your concrete slabs😮

Are the wood floors in the train station original & if so do you plan to keep them. I just found your channel & I’m looking forward to the renovation.

Great find and in excellent condition.

I can’t wait to see the outcome of this project

The Railway Changers.

I'm so envious of you. But good look with the renovation, I can't wait to see the progress.

I came across your video yesterday as I was scrolling. A few miles away from where I live is a restored railway station building abd station masters house in Legbourne in Lincs. Still has a raised platform and crossing gate and lamps.

Go from one thing to another!

Hello just discovered your channel today, I guess you got recommended in my feed with the french chateau renovations I've been watching. Those pavers along the edges look like they were the gutter for a road. So my guess is you had a road that went around the edge of the station. That may also explain all the gravel just outside of the curb. I would say if you don't need the space in front of the building for a road you could put a waist-high hedge or wall-like object around the pavers and make a public-private space where you could put tables and things to sit at.

I think your pond is an old cannel. You may want to do some research on that as Britian really has a lot of cannels. They may clean it up for you. It seems to me that where there were cannels, there are train tracks. I will be following your progress.

Absolutely interesting

If you are digging out a lot of roots in the future can I suggest a Rootslayer spade. It's a long spade that essentially has a saw up each side. I've had one for a few years and it's been so useful in combination with saws and a small chainsaw. The rootslayer will go through a lot of the smaller roots and you can cut through mid size roots in a few attempts most of the time.

I hate to tell you, and you probably know this any way, but the root has probably made it's way well beyond the platform and maybe into the foundations.

My family is Railroad and, yeah every old station I've been to has a curb at the edge of the walk, and beyond its wood block, cobblestone, concrete slab or asphalt. Considering where you are at? I would not be surprised if that Tarmac is from the original Tarmac company. The dirt is exactly what others are saying, decomposed leaves and soil migrating during rain storms.

You guys may want to consider a mini excavator. It looks like a lot of land needs clearing and digging. Excellent work today. It looks like a curb and was probably ground level

A bridge and a pond in the property. How lucky you are.

Looking so good.

Not sure why YT suggested the channel but I have watched all videos tonight and subbed. Good luck peoples.

Hiya folks you have started to expose the old station forecourt. The slabs you have cleaned of are old fashioned kerb stones laid on their side against the kerbs marking your road and footpath boundary. They are put down in that way to act as as drainage channels for surface water runoff.

The slabs could serve as some sort of a frame for the path. Something that's supposed to keep everything else from shifting and moving around.

It’s a curb, your driveway probably was a tarmac drive for carriages and cars came up what’s now the drive and alongside the station there, pulled up to the pavement to drop off/pick up passengers and trunks then exited out to the road on the other side of the fence. I agree with others it probably wasn’t actively covered, just not actively kept clear. It’s 40+ years of accumulated leaf mould.

Love the way you keep saying WE 😂 and looks like the older patio from station days and new one as been built on top rather them removing old one.

Great work and very interesting ❤

OMG YOU LUCKY LUCKY PEOPLE - JEALOUS! This is the one building I have craved to buy and restore since I was a child and Beeching DESTROYED our railway network. I always promised my self to lay a stretch of track and have a carriage or loco in there! There is such a station in Hampshire thats now a private house he has a lovely restored carriage in the garden on tracks! WELL DONE. I hope you also add the original platform canopy ? AND you have a bridge!!! 1:23 I reckon I know what you have there - thats NOT a pond - depending on what line you were on THAT could be a water trough. High speed express trains could scoop up water without stopping by lowering a scoop under the tender to force water up into the tank. the troughs were several yards long. A common practice when updating a station was to tarmac OVER cobble stones! It is possible that is whats been done here as the original station forecourts this close to the station - were generally cobbled.

You're making such fabulous improvements on your video skills!

What a pleasant surprise awaited you!! It looks really nice now. But the labor it has already taken to make it so must have been exhausting! Keep up the good work and I’ll just sit here and watch you do it 😂. ❤

This is first time came across your vlog! Couldn't help myself I needed to sub you guys hopefully this channel is a do it upper! The Victorians knew how to produce wonderful buildings

My wife says "WE" when she tells people what "I" have been doing working on our house 😆 This is a wonderful video, I will catch up on the previous. I love seeing people's dreams come true. I love trains too, in fact, I chose our current house (hopefully the final one) because there is a railway line at the bottom of our garden and from time to time there are steam engines coming past with day trips and it includes the Orient Express. What a sight, smell and sound to see.

Hola from Spain. Fabulous place, and you dont look fazed by all the hard work. I thought, as someone else mentioned that maybe the slabs continue under the pathway , that would be amazing. Im sure there will be other great finds. Good luck ❤

What a fantastic project. You certainly have your work cut out but just wait for the day you all move in! I look forward to seeing the progress. Good luck.

🤞🏽🤞🏽I’ve been hoping it’s cobblestone!

I love the fact that you love this station so much I'm absolutely fascinated and keep thinking what your gonna find.its also awesome of you to share this venture with you I love it.thankyou

These slabs appear to be a ditch or gutter. It should run along to some sort of drain to drain rain water away from the building.

Driveway looks like it will need chippings. Others have said the half flags are a "gutter" for water run off, and they might be right, Loughton Station (and car park) (Great Eastern Railway) is similar

Hi, great purchase......It is meant for the rain water drain towards the lower part, there might be a Manhole at the end .

This will be quite an interesting undertaking. Where exactly is your station located? While collecting Winston’s ball we got a peak of the roof. Is the roof slate or some composite added during the 1980’s renovation? I used to volunteer at an arboretum that had several buildings as old as your station. They used copper flashings and a copper ridge cap. When I asked why copper and not another metal I was instructed that the green patina on copper is copper sulfate; as rain washes across the patina the copper sulfate coats the roof and discourages the growth of moss and other invasive plants. Long story short, I thought to do something similar on my mother’s house. The north and eastern roof facets were in shade and it was an annual event brushing off the moss. I was all set until I discovered he exorbitant price of copper. Ultimately I took two rolls of pennies, a copper coated zinc coin. On the top two rows of shingles I slipped a penny a bit under the shingle edge. Her moss never returned.! Wishing you and your family a blessed new year and a memorable family journey during reconstruction. Tell your husband to use one of the bamboo poles to balance while wading in your green ponds. Peace

Just found your channel, and subscribed. Living in the Cotswolds, I know many old once-railway lines and stations. I shall be enthralled to see how this all turns out for you. Good luck, wishing you the very best.

Good day, thank you for the update. The covering of the gutter(flagstones) could also be the natural uplift of the lawn due to regrowth. My humble suggestion is that you bring in a skid steer and drop this area to just below the upper level of the flag stone or to pave it as it may have been done in Victorian times🤷🏼‍♂️ Secondly to create more effective drainage coming off your long driveway. All the best for your family project had have a blessed 2024🙏🏻

Hi there 🙋‍♀️ New sub here! So glad l came across your channel! Excited to be a part of your journey, thanks so much for sharing with us! All the best for 2024! From NZ 🖤🤍

Great video!! the row of pavers by the curb might be there to hold the curb upright and for drainage/ direct all water way from the curb. :)

Just subscribed watching you from Iowa (USA) can't wait too see what you do❤

Nice job.

Awesome video family.

That will make a great koi pond.

We have a yew tree at least 100 years old on the edge of our drive. A few years ago our sewer drain became blocked. Upon investigation, we found that one of the yew tree roots had grown and broken into the drain. Not only that, it had gone along the drain and then up the cast iron drain pipe at the side of the house around 15 feet up!

Looks like it's going to be hard work but worth the reward 👍👍 little tip, don't use an axe for chopping roots, buy a mattock, looks like a pick axe but has a blade, one end & spade like on the other, also using a chainsaw in and around tree roots, the soil will clog & blunt your blade in seconds 👍 Cheers Dave

That looks like an old curb. The old drive that went by the building could have had a gravel or dirt path for wagons or carriages to drop passengers off at the station. During the 80's reno, the path was grown in and so they paved only that one part and covered the curb partially. That's kind of brilliant what you've discovered. I will subscribe to see they progress you're making. 😎 Greetings from Canada.

Install a pump and filter system into the pond and get the water moving and the smell and muck will go away. Use solar power and a battery to keep it running using dual speed system, low at night to just keep the water moving and during the day time have it set on medium or high flow and you can have a water feature like a vase, flower pot or statue pouring water into the bond. Then bird will start to use it to keep the bugs out and add fish to each up the algae. It could look beautiful and useful for the property. Create a small wishing well at the end of the pond for visitors to throw coins into that is separated from the pond but uses the same system for flow and cleaning. Use the coins for maintenance of the pond and wishing well. A lot of wedding venues in the U.S.A. use this method for the cost of maintenance.

I really love these kind of renovations... Will be following along and subscribing... Greetings from America... God Bless...