Origins

This building was erected upon the arrival of the line in 1873, and reflecting the station's initial importance to the railway, the station structure was similar to that located at Crosby Station to the east; it was originally located on the other side of the line and the other way round so that access was from a rear door from the roadside.

Expansion

Despite the vast expansion of the station over the ensuing years the building, which comprised modest waiting room and station masters' office was not modified, save for the inclusion of another bay to allow passenger accommodation and the erection of hoardings to conceal the gentlemen’s toilets to the left of the building.  When it was moved to its final position (as shown in our photograph) these changes were incorporated but it was mostly unchanged from the earliest days of the line.

After Closure

The office survived in use until the line closed in 1968, occupied for many years by the legendary figure of Mr. George Crellin, stationmaster.  The building itself was demolished in 1974 when the site was being cleared and rails lifted, our view shows the building after closure, prior to demolition.  The site of the building today is hardly discernable, although it is one area of the once-sprawling station that has not yet been redeveloped in any way, forming a car and coach park used mostly on Tynwald Day each year.