Seaton Junction revival

New year, the time for aspirations and plans. So, how about reviving Seaton Junction station?
I'll start with a description of the current situation.

Up Side. Station building intact but disused. Adjoining former dairy is also part disused. One section is used by a vehicle firm, the section nearest the station is empty. The intact platform is fenced off from the building. The up yard is used by a haulage company but, is largely unbuilt on.
Down Side. Platform intact. Building demolished. Heavily overgrown. Station footbridge intact. Nearby footbridge intact and part of a public footpath, signposted by DCC. Both are products of Exmouth Junction concrete works.

Proposal.
Up Side Restore station building. Clear platform of weeds and debris. Restore disused section of dairy.
Down Side. Clear away bushes and trees. Rebuild island platform building and platform signal box.
Relay section of Seaton branch track and sidings. Relay one or both of the platform loops, even if they can't be connected to the mainline, at first.

Usage and sources of income.
Restore dairy to its former working condition, as a museum of the milk industry and agriculture. Possible farm shop selling local produce, either in dairy or station building. Tea Room using locally produced milk, naturally. Restored six wheel milk tank wagon(s) displayed in platform loop or nearby siding.

On the opposite platform, rebuild station building and reopen buffet, assuming there was one before. Signal box to be museum of the Seaton branch the ACE and the SR mainline.

Hurdles.
Establishing ownership of land and buildings, then gaining support and necessary permissions. I assume all of the downside area is still owned by Network Rail, as it is not fenced off. The up side station building and dairy were in private use until about 10 years ago. They have been empty since then. A developer had bought them, along with the former hotel opposite. The hotel was converted into flats, now occupied. The former hotel stables were in the process of similar conversion, when work suddenly stopped halfway through. The stables remain in this half converted condition today. The developer had a sign announcing all their plans outside. The sign disappeared about 10 years ago and nothing has happened since. Perhaps they went bust during the crash. That needs looking into. The adjacent up platform is fenced off, so I assume that is in the ownership of NR.

Impossible to predict possibilities.
That the Seaton Tramway, noting that there is now a reason to go there, may wish to extend from Colyton, roughly 3 miles away.
That Network Rail may allow connection of one or both of the loops, if they can be shown to have operational value. For instance, as a refuge for failures and a stabling point for track machines. Only one loop would actually be needed of course but both would be better. This would of course allow mainline steam and diesel specials to stop for an hour or two, thereby increasing revenue and making SJ a destination in itself. Far and away, the most expensive part of the project. The draft Wessex Route Study, mentions more redoubling of the Salisbury to Exeter route. Unfortunately, this section isn't mentioned. However plans change all the time and there is a national and growing trend towards redoubling of lines It is also part of the Western diversionary route via Yeovil., which may improve the prospects for future doubling.

So there you are. The thread about Ryde has mentioned the fact that so many of today's preservation schemes, have come about as a result of dreams, dismissed as unrealistic then but, now established. This one is modest by comparison with many of those.
The best aspect of the area is that the surroundings are the same as they were in steam days. No new housing estates, business parks or retail parks. The nearby hamlet is actually called Seaton Junction, and presumably grew up around the railway.
Anyone interested in at least looking into the idea? An initial meeting to discuss various aspects perhaps.
PM me if you don't want to discuss on here.
Below is a view of the Up side building, in December 2014. The empty part of the dairy is all the visible section beyond. I have pics of the rest of the station, if wanted.

Steve

 

Well, I have to admit that this has, in theory, rather more going for it than some schemes I've seen on Nat Pres and elsewhere. Interesting that this would be an LSWR/SR/BR(S) example in a part of the world where most heritage railways or centres are, by fate and history, pure GWR (not a criticism I hasten to add!). Here is a link to a local website which includes a wonderful image (by artist Frederick Lea) of Seaton Jct with nothing less than 35006 thundering through on an ACE.
http://umborne.org/2011/07/seaton-junction/
Whilst it wouldn't be possible to recreate that image today, something similar to the "dairy products" sidings might be possible. The Stn building looks too good not to be restored to, well, a station again. Put it this way, if I lived near Seaton Jct, I'd certainly go to a meeting and, if things looked like the art of the possible then I'd probably do more but, as I don't live remotely near there I can only watch and see what might happen. In summary, I've seen and read 0f schemes with a far worse brief.

 

I've always had a soft spot for Seaton Junction being its on the line I work on and the fact it still remains in relatively as closed condition is a miracle.

Your suggestion for a museum is admirable and would be very fitting for the location however obtaining permission to use and access the old downside platform and relaying track which could connect to the mainline would face some pretty major obstacles.

The station building was opened to the public last year by its owner to show what it looks like before the planned development is undertaken (whatever that is). The land beyond the fence on the up platform is still owned by Network Rail and although the Wessex Route Study does mention re-doubling part or all of the route this will not be in the immediate timescales. As for if either Network Rail or SWT would be interested in reopening the station is highly unlikely. The problem Seaton Jcn has is its location. Firstly the hamlet is still just a hamlet with no planned housing developments for the area so the footfall from the local area would be relatively low. Secondly it is located at the foot of Honiton Bank. With the intense service on the WoE line any additional stop will affect the hourly service let alone one that requires braking and accelerating at the foot of a bank. Even to have the sidings/platform re-opened for emergency berthing would require additional signalling and S&C. This is a huge additional cost for very little return.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it open again but in reality, no chance.

 

That's interesting about the station development. There are no signs announcing anything and, the building has been unused for approx. 10 years. If there are definite plans, then clearly the revival of the station as a rail museum can't progress. The dairy is also mostly empty but, a dairy industry museum on it's own doesn't appeal as much, without the station being included.

I'm aware the track reinstatement is the most complex part of the plan. Without co-operation from NR, no progress is possible. I'll try and find out who this shy developer is though.

 

Last time I enquired about Seaton Junction Station it belonged to the British Railways Board (yes they really do exist and it is their job to own and dispose of all the surplus land from BR's old portfolio, They were known as BRB(Residuary) Ltd. It was leased out to an East Devon Adult Training Company. I did offer to buy the main station building but this would not be entertained until South West Trains had re-assessed their requirements for extra stations. That would have been about 6 years ago and I was added to the BRB list of people interested in the building. I have not been informed of any intention to sell it off so am assuming BRB still owns it all. Having just checked BRB was disbanded in October 2013 and the station will now be in the hands of Network Rail or Highways Agency Historical Railways Estate.

 

Thanks, I'll look into it. There seems to be a fair amount of latent interest in Seaton Junction at least.

 

Having slept on your idea of re-opening Seaton Junct, including the dairy I think it has great merits. It is positioned off the A303, car parking would not be too much of a problem and the buildings are in relative good shape. I was born near to Shutes dairy in Taunton and was fascinated by their bottling plant. There is a NT property just up the road that would make a good combined day out with a visit to the Junct. Also just down the road (300 yds) is Lyme Bay Wines, cider factory and retail outlet. I think you should concentrate on getting the buildings up and running first with a cafe in the old station building as a good source of income. Most of the track layout for the milk factory were in what is now the car parking area on the down side in the up direction. From what I recall there were no facilities of any kind on the up side platform but its a few years ago. This would be a good project to kick off in the public domain and if the building is in NR's hands could be secured at a peppercorn rent. I suspect you would have great difficulty reopening the platforms elf and safety and all that. Ken

 

Hello,
There is also, just down the road is Seaton Tramway at Colyton.
I spent a 30 minutes wandering around the station las summer....on that one day I did not bring my camera or IPad!.
It is on my to do list for this spring.

Nick

 

Perfect home for your 2 milk tanks currently at Dunster West Nick. Ken

 

I cannot disagree with what is said about the difficulties especially any dairy equipment which is always made of stainless steel and is likely to have been whisked away for scrap. Was it actually a dairy or was it simply a transfer point for road to rail? I certainly remember the long lines of 6w tankers waiting to be loaded and sent off to London. All that said there is very little in the East Devon area and it would make a great venue. There is one bridge out between the junction and Colyton and that would be a very costly replacement. The tram line would probably need another mains electrical feed at the Junction end as 2-3 miles is above the load capability of the existing feed at Colyton. However as I said earlier there are already a couple of local attractions, the main road is close and with a bit of persuasion it would become rail connected for existing trains and passengers. All is needed is a couple of millions and it could be an attractive venue. Any Heritage Lottery grant writer opinion on this would be helpful. Ken

 

More like a milk transfer place from the lorries which collect from the farms to the trains. http://www.umborne.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/image01.jpg http://www.umborne.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/image0-002.jpg http://www.umborne.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/image0-001.jpg

 

To clear up one misconception, I didn't in the OP suggest opening the station as part of the network, for reasons others have mentioned. No demand, the population must be the same as it was in steam days. and, of course the station was only built as the junction for the Seaton branch, now isolated 3 miles away.
The track relaying, would just be isolated sections, not connected to the main line. That would be for the longer term. The station building and dairy would be the focus at first. I can't see the platform(s) bothering H&S, as there are no tracks next to them. It was a 4 track layout, with platform loops. Only 1 track passes through now, in the centre of the formation. Future re-doubling may provide a chance to connect 1 or both relaid loops but, that is pure conjecture at this stage.

I noted the nearby Lyme bay Wines, as an extra attraction for visitors and vice versa. Questions about car parking, access and the footbridge are issues to be tackled, if the scheme proceeds. Not insurmountable, just unknown at present. The dairy industry museum, with local input, farm shop selling local produce and, cafe. They would seem to be the first logical step, to provide a destination, income and, local involvement, a crucial factor.

There are examples of closed stations being restored on both open and closed lines. Bere Ferrers, on the same Waterloo-Plymouth route, is one example. That station is still open. The platform is separate from the building, which is restored in green and cream, I believe. The owner has relaid part of the goods yard, unconnected to the running line and has installed a coach or two, for B&B. Now there's an idea............

I've emailed the successor to the BRB Residuary, asking as to the current status of SJ. Of course, if they reply that plans have been signed, sealed but not yet delivered then, that's it. End of, all the above will be irrelevant. Just have to wait and see.

 

Well, the HRHRE replied within an hour, a rare example of good service these days.

'The station buildings and yard site at Seaton Junction were owned by BRB(Residuary) Ltd and sold by them in two separate transactions as follows :
1. BRB(Residuary) Ltd to P & R. Hammond on 27/11/2008 ( the majority of the site)
2. BRB(Residuary) Ltd to Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd 24/12 2008 (a parcel of land at the north western end of the platform).
The site is not owned by the HAHRE and I believe the disused dairy was included in the first sale above . I do not know if these buildings are currently leased or owned separately and I do not have any details relating to any existing approved plans or proposals for the site.
Finally, I do not know if the purchasers of the land as detailed above are the present day owners of the lands they acquired from the former BRB(Residuary)Ltd. and suggest that you contact the Land Registry in this regard.
I hope you find the above of some assistance.'

That clarifies some things. Couldn't get a result on the Land Registry site, as Seaton Junction station isn't recognised, not surprising as it closed 49 years ago. I don't know how else it could be described. Another search came up with 2 PR consultant Hammonds, in London and Hertford and a bulb grower in Ludlow. So, a blank there. Not sure how to proceed, to identify them.

 

You could try the postcode and Network Rail as the owner. The postcode is EX13 7PW. Also Company's House does not show a P & R Hammond but does show
HAMMOND DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
ASPECT COURT 47
PARK SQUARE EAST
LEEDS
WEST YORKSHIRE
LS1 1NL
Company No. 04936192
Ken
PS Do you live near the station?

 

No, I live in Dorset. First went there in about 1984. Should have acted earlier.

 

I'm no that far away so I will have a drive down next week and see what I can discover about ownership. Ken

 

Thanks, note the half finished stable conversion on the left, opposite the dairy. There was a developers sign there but, nothing has happened since about...2008

 

Out of interest I have just started sorting through a very large amount of archive material bequeathed to me - a lot of which originated from the old SR drawing office at Exeter Central. It includes detailed plans of just about every station on the old LSWR main line including Seaton Jct and all the track plans, bridges, signals and other infrastructure. A lot of it goes back to pre grouping, not to mention pre nationalisation!
The random box I am currently sorting is mostly related to Chard Town, Axminster and Ottery StMary but I did find a few loose sheets around Seaton to give a flavour. (see attachments). If anyone is interested I'll post more stuff about Seaton Jct when it comes to light. I beleive much of what I have was probably deemed "Lost forever" until it was unearthed in a shed where it had lain heaped on the ground for at least 20 years (much of it was sadly destroyed by damp) so may be of interests to line historians and modelmakers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/129214467@N08/