© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number PU 100034184.

 

" The Train now Standing "  has this week come to life after a protracted re-birth during this turbulent last eighteen months.

Di and Simon Parums have drawn their commercial dreams kicking and screaming into reality and this week have opened to the public.

I venture across to enjoy a visit to the Orient Express, the cafe and see the facilities on offer.

The builders have rebuilt the station buildings and this week cleared the way to the front door.

The sign writer's work is proudly on display and they are officially open to the public on what is just their second day of trading.

The car park is not full because most folk have parked on both sides of the wide road outside.

The flags are flying and there's a buzz about the station at last.

The cafe has about 20 table places in the station building as well as 30 in the restaurant car next to the platform outside.

With an extensive menu, a beautifully relaxed dog-friendly attitude and a lovely atmosphere I ordered and enjoyed a light lunch,

chatting with both staff and several visitors I recognised (as word has spread locally about this long anticipated opening).

Like all projects of this nature there's a vast amount of work to do to get it ready.

Even now as the crowds arrived the workmen were still adding the finishing touches.

Full marks as they even had a moment to spare for a photo . . . cheers fellas !

What up till now has been glimpsed from the road, is now open to explore.

The Orient Express Train, complete with three carriages sits alongside the restored original platform

and a covered walkway links the train to the busy station buildings.

Restored as close to the original as possible, complete with authentic fixtures, fittings and "rhubarb and cream" colours.

The train has a history waiting for you to discover

as it was used in the making of the famous 2017 Kenneth Branagh / Agatha Christie film "Murder on the Orient Express"

The station platform is open to walk and leads you onward to their other woodland attractions, starting this week with Foraging Workshop & Walks

The chairs by the way, are believed to be the genuine ones that were used at Cockermouth Station before the line closed in 1966.

Woodland art hints at an exciting future for activities at the site.

Everything is looking spick and span for the opening.

We walk down to the end of the platform and walk back on the lower path.

The track bed at the station has been re-laid for the train and the crossing gates really look the part.

The other carriages will be a workshop for activities and a base for future events.

Inside the restaurant car meals and snacks are being served.

The cab of the engine with one last cobweb that was missed before the opening day.

Dylan and Dougal pose for their photo by the train.

- - - o o o - - -

With the dogs in tow, where better for a local walk but at Silver Meadows Nature Reserve, just opposite the station.

The signboard and plan of the paths around the reserve.

The local farmer has cut and bailed their hay meadow recently.

Oops . . . soft focus but you get the idea . . . either that or it was rain on the lens !

Some of the wild flowers survive in the margins of the first field.

Through the gate into the more 'wetland area' of the reserve.

The boardwalk takes you round in a circle, passing bird hides and information points along the way.

Other signboards alluding to the history of the area as well as the local flora and fauna.

The wattle and daub wall has seen better days but the signs are brand new.

The extensive wetlands views through the trees. 

( Back to normal photography settings on the camera ! )

The reserve is wheelchair friendly all the way round and the middle path offers an option to extend your walk.

Temperate wetland habitat explained.

The old shelter is being slowly renovated.

The old huts were built when the reserve first opened many years ago, so it is not surprising they need repairs.

On the drier sections the boardwalk gives way to gravel paths.

We've reached the top of the reserve and now the view on the way back includes distant Skiddaw.

Wild flowers and butterflies to admire.

The summer growth hides many of the water courses that cross the site.

Looking back before the last corner.

The area is an important wildlife area but also serves as an important flood pain at times of heavy rainfall.

The bridge over the beck before I complete the circle.

This was the view back in March of this year

when the site was rather inaccessible (to say the least) due to the heavy rain.

After a lovely post-lunch stroll it was time to return to the car parked close by the station and make my way home.