Train enthusiast is selling his former Victorian railway station home

January 28, 2021

A first class bargain! Train enthusiast is selling his former Victorian railway station home for £400,000 which comes with its own 100ft long platform

The Station House once formed part of Pulham Market station near Diss, Norfolk which closed in 1966
Brain Read, 67, spent 35 years living in and renovating the impressive four-bedroom, two-bathroom home
It boasts a plethora of its original features including 100ft platform, red telephone box and a well-pump

A train enthusiast is selling a former Victorian railway station he converted into a home for £400,000 – and it comes with its own 100ft long platform.

The Station House, which once formed part of Pulham Market station near Diss, Norfolk, has been placed on the market by Brian Read, who spent 35 years renovating and living in the impressive four-bedroom home.

It boasts a plethora of its original features, including a train signal on the platform, a red telephone box, Victorian fireplaces and a well-pump.

Mr Read, 67, who was forced to slash £65,000 from the asking price due to the Covid-19 crisis, hopes the property will be sold to another railway aficionado – who will keep the platform in a good condition.

The Station House (pictured), which once formed part of Pulham Market station near Diss, Norfolk, has been placed on the market by Brian Read, who spent 35 years renovating and living in the impressive four-bedroom home

The property boasts a plethora of its original features, including a train signal on the platform, a red telephone box, Victorian fireplaces and a well-pump. Pictured: Mr Read on the platform

He said: ‘I’m looking for a railway enthusiast to take it over. Hopefully it will become a holiday destination for railway enthusiasts to come and stay in.

‘That would be brilliant if it became something like that.’

The Station House formed part of Pulham Market station, which opened in 1855 and served the Waveney Valley Line, which went from Tivetshall in South Norfolk to Beccles in Suffolk. It closed to passengers in 1953 and freight in 1966.

Mr Read grew up in nearby Pulham St Mary, which has a similar station house.

Pictured: One of three sitting rooms inside the unusual property, which also features four bedrooms and two bathrooms

Mr Read believes the property, which has two bathrooms and three living rooms, is fairly unique in terms of its original features. It has a railway light and signal, as well as a red post box in the yard. Pictured: A gate at the Station House

‘The line was always an interest to me,’ he said. ‘We played in the station yard. As young boys we would hang on the back of the trains.’

The former builder previously helped knock down another station house in Pulham St Mary and replace it with a home.

When a similar property in 1985 was up for sale in Pulham Market, he didn’t want it to befall the same fate.

‘It was in quite a sorry state when we bought it,’ he said. ‘They didn’t cherish it, the way we have. I set about trying to restore as much of the original parts as I could.’

Mr Read used his building skills to restore the 100ft platform to its former glory.

He believes the property, which has two bathrooms and three living rooms, is fairly unique in terms of its original features. It has a railway light and signal, as well as a red post box in the yard.

Pictured: The Station House, which has been converted into a four-bedroom, two-bathroom property with three sitting rooms

The former builder helped knock down another station house in Pulham St Mary and replace it with a home in the past. Pictured: The Station House at Pulham Market

Pictured: A path seen behind the property, which still features the 100ft-long platform at the back of the home

Mr Read was forced to slash £65,000 from the asking price due to the Covid-19 crisis, and now hopes to sell for £400,000

The enthusiast added: ‘A lot of the station houses have been knocked down or turned into offices. This hasn’t been altered inside or out, which is quite unique.

‘There isn’t another building like it.’

Estate agent Durrants said: ‘The property has undergone extensive renovations, whilst carefully maintaining a plethora of original features.

‘This includes a 32-metre train platform, well-pump, train signal on platform, red telephone box, Victorian fireplaces, railway light and more.

‘The property also benefits from a large workshop, measuring around 800 square feet, and large parking area.’

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