Northiam
Station - TN31 6QT
British
Railways did not clear this site probably because there were still hop-pickers'
and other special passenger trains coming to this station until nearly the
line's closure. Fortunately Northiam and Bodiam are therefore still blessed
with their original and characteristic Stephens station Buildings.
A second station Building matching the style of the original was built on
the platform to house essential modern toilets during the 10 years whilst
the station was the end of the line. The station building itself looks very
much as it always did with a pot-bellied stove to keep passengers warm but
the goods office has been altered a very useful buffet for passengers joining
from the adjacent main A28 road or even passing by. With extension to Bodiam
the buildings still serve park and ride passengers for Bodiam and Tenterden
and the old down side platform was also brought back into use after a generation
of disuse.
Also at Northiam and tucked away across the present car park, formerly the
goods yard are two original Station Bungalows. These characteristic buildings
were used for staff accomodation and are now used as a work base for our
building heritage maintainance volunteers ( known as the 'Tuesday Group')
The signal box is a modern building but characteristic of a rural branch
line in steam days.
