Victorian station clock restored to pride of place at Great Malvern

A station clock which has been helping rail passengers in Worcestershire stay on time for more than a century is back in pride of place following a restoration project.

The ornate 161-year-old timepiece at West Midland Railway's Great Malvern station is working properly for the first time in three years after Network Rail joined with local campaigners to arrange much-needed repairs.

After being stuck at 2.12pm for over 36 months, from today (Thu 11 Mar) passengers can once again rely on platform one's original timekeeper while waiting for trains.

The work came about when the Friends of Malvern Railway Group (FoMRG) raised concerns that the 1860 installed clock had not been manually wound for over three years. It’s running like clockwork thanks to a new electric mechanism installed by specialists Smith of Derby.

The £8,000 investment was funded by Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust. The renovation project has been supported by West Midlands Railway as station operator.

Martin Colmey, operations director at Network Rail, said:

“As well as keeping the railways ticking along, another part of our role is to preserve the heritage of our historic railway network. The renovations to the clock at the iconic Great Malvern station will mean the clock – and passengers – won’t be wound up any more when they have to check the time.

"It’s great to be able to provide improved journeys for passengers at Great Malvern when they return safely to the rail network after travel restrictions ease.”

The station was opened by the Worcester and Hereford Railway in 1860 and was awarded Grade II-listed building status in 1969. Despite being 161 years old, the station has retained many of its original Victorian features.

Brenda Lawrence, head of stations for West Midlands Railway, said:

"Great Malvern station is a superb facility which has proudly served the people of Worcestershire for more than 160 years. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the local community and the wider railway family the beautiful station clock will now return to its pride of place on the platforms.

"We are already looking forward to welcoming passengers back to enjoy the station’s heritage as travel begins to increase over the coming months.”

Michael Pritchard, from the Friends of Malvern Railway Group, said:

"The upgrading of the station clock with an electronic mechanism is the first stage of our group’s plan to restore the station and ensure its unique heritage features are preserved. The only noticeable difference for passengers will be that, after many years, the clock will now be able to tell the time.”

Across the country, Network Rail works hard to develop the railway for the 21st century, while keeping an eye on preserving its heritage.

You can find out more some of the conservation work carried out across the network at: www.networkrail.co.uk/working-with-railway-heritage