Coach at Gt Malvern Station

[Steptoe]

I visit Gt Malvern station occasionally and consider it to be one of the most interesting both architecturally and picturescally (other stations are also available ) but have always wondered how the coach located on the downside to the south of the station got there.

The layout of the station and the underbridge to the south seems to preclude the usual explanation of a lifted siding. The days are long gone where railway companies would crane sold vehicles off the line and it looks an impossible task to do so from the road.

The only explanation seems to be that it was unloaded in the station forecourt and towed in via the gates near the bins but this would have involved a lot of effort in laying temporary track. These gates suggest that this land was once railway property before being sold off to the adjoining properties.

Apologies if this subject has been discussed and answered previously in any other thread.

 

[Llanigraham]

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...a982d503c!8m2!3d52.1094131!4d-2.3182433?hl=en

 

[Llanigraham]

This shows that in 1950 there was a siding there:
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101586625

1927 view:
http://maps.nls.uk/view/120901285

 

[L&Y Robert]

This shows that in 1950 there was a siding there:
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101586625

1927 view:
http://maps.nls.uk/view/120901285

- - and a covered walk-way from the platform straight into the Girls College. Well I never!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is this on a remnant of the Midland line from Great Malvern to Ashchurch?
The route divided just south of Great Malvern station and it had its own sidings to the east of the GW line.
Was the coach never recovered (closed in 1961), or maybe a camping coach?
Much of the Ashchurch route is still traceable.
I used to live alongside the old solum there and like my neighbours rented a slice of land from BR for a garden extension.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

- - and a covered walk-way from the platform straight into the Girls College. Well I never!

Was originally the Imperial Hotel, until 1919.

 

[FQTV]

The only explanation seems to be that it was unloaded in the station forecourt and towed in via the gates near the bins but this would have involved a lot of effort in laying temporary track. These gates suggest that this land was once railway property before being sold off to the adjoining properties.

Apologies if this subject has been discussed and answered previously in any other thread.

The answer may lie here:

http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/8976510.Carriage_could_be_Mark_s_new_home/

And so on Sunday, April 10, a huge low loader carrying an antique carriage lumbered up Avenue Road, turned laboriously in front of Great Malvern station and deposited its cargo on a small plot of land beside the railway. Since then it has attracted the fascinated attention of neighbours, passers-by, rail users and staff.

 

[fgwrich]

The answer may lie here:

http://www.malverngazette.co.uk/news/8976510.Carriage_could_be_Mark_s_new_home/

That is indeed the answer. The Mk1 came from the GWSR, and was featured with it's owner Mark on an episode of Portillo's program.

 

[Steptoe]

Thank you all for the superb replies; they've also answered questions I hadn't even thought of yet!

Especially interesting is that the land in question had originally not one but two sidings as I couldn't see how this could have been achieved; however the maps linked to above provide the explanation.

I also thought the land had been deeded to the adjoining bungalow and the coach was owned by that occupant but it seems from the newspaper article that the land was purchased as one parcel by the coach owner presumably just for the purpose of storing his coach.

I have been visiting the station annually for about 15 years but obviously had missed the coach delivery; I thought it had always been there and lineside vegetation had been cleared away thus exposing it to view.

I have also admired and photographed the walkway to the Girls College though sadly I've never seen damsels perambulating up it as it has been long locked out of use. I can't now find any documentary proof but I recall reading that it had been used as a backdrop in one of the Harry Potter films, if not it should have been!

 

[Steptoe]

The walkway.

 

[jimm]

It has long been known locally as The Worm. Efforts to restore it and allow public access are under way.

Video from a 2010 visit inside
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/8321716.Step_back_in_time_through_the_Worm/

Update on restoration moves from March this year
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news...s_railway_station_coming_closer_to_fruition/#