Hebden Bridge railway station
A beautifully preserved Victorian station
(Photos/words © urban75, March 2008)
After the unrelentless grimness of the train journey from Leeds via Bradford - all abandoned shopping trolleys, half demolished factories, trackside rubbish and bus shelter stations - arriving at Hebden Bridge was a revelation.
The Grade Two listed station has been restored back to its Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway appearance, and one can't help noticing how noticeably clearer the olden signage is.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-01.jpg)
Instead of the tiny little painted metal signs that pass for station nameboards on most modern stations, Hebden Bridge has huge wooden nameboards with raised lettering that can even be read from a moving train.
The station is still staffed and has a heated waiting room (with a stocked bookcase offering free loans to passengers) and a delightful independent cafe.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-02.jpg)
The good condition of the station is down to local action group, the Friends of Hebden Bridge Station who also lobby for practical environmental enhancement works, more train usage, better bus connections, green transport plans and more community involvement and ownership.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-03.jpg) Old station signs.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-04.jpg) Platform one.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-05.jpg) Waiting for the next train.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-06.jpg) Street entrance to Platform Two.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-07.jpg) Main station building on Platform Two.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-08.jpg) Platform One detail.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-09.jpg) The still-working signal box.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-10.jpg) A view along Platform Two, showing the staggered pltform arrangement.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-11.jpg) Booking Hall.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-12.jpg) The platforms are linked by a subway.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-13.jpg) Sign close-up.
![Hebden Bridge railway station, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, with pictures of landmarks, mills, canals, signal box, bars, cafes, tourist sights and more](images/hebden-bridge-station-14.jpg) A last look along Platform Two.
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