Petworth Station : Then
There are not too many pictures of the station in active use by trains. Above a humble coal train trundles through eastbound whilst below, a special of some sort ...
... is on its way to Midhurst with a very untypical crowd either watching or waiting or both.
The top picture hints at an extensive goods yard.
The proud station staff stand smartly to attention in the early days of trains when pride in the job was more evident than it was in the station's declining years!
At least one of 'the lads' opted for a more informal pose!
Petworth Station : Now
Travelling south along the A285, we pass the former Station Hotel, avoiding, for the moment, the driveway to the station itself.
First we traverse the murky waters of the West Sussex version of the River Rother ...
... then the track bed of the former railway.
Clearly the proprietors are expecting fine weather for their customers, hence the line of pristine parasols on the former platform, parking place for a large chunk of railwayana!
But next, we approach down the slope ...
... once again bridging the Rother; before hanging a left into the station forecourt.
Things now become interesting.
On the left are a couple of former houses for station staff ...
One of the houses is now, incongruously, named "Pullman Cottage" ...
... although fbb is very certain that the South Eastern and Chatham Railway never operated a Pullman express via Petworth!
But spin the camera through 180 degrees and we can see ...
... two deliciously presented Pullman carriages.
Unlike at Beningborough, these are genuine Pullmans, not simply Mark 1 carriages painted in pseudo pullman colours.
There are four of them ...
... one a posh restaurant ...
... the others forming comfortable bedrooms.
Sumptuous lounge facilities are provided ...
... in the former station buildings.
The only thing missing, of course, is a passing train. But you can always half close your eyes and imagine ...
... a rusty clanking tank wagon wheezing past with a rusty clanking train of coal wagons.
Pictures also reveal a fifth carriage being delivered ...
... being the vehicle espied from the road bridge, a Pullman from 1906. Of course it now rejoices in Pullman livery ...
... and looks like extra restaurant seating.
Talking of restaurant, readers may wonder about the quality of nosh available.
We will sample the menus tomorrow and visit another closed station that is now open.
Next Recycled Station blog : Thurs 2nd July
