Couple Transform Former Railway Carriages Into Three Holiday Homes

It's a first class idea offering an alternative to other accommodation out there. The Old Station in Allerston, North Yorkshire, which used to be a working railway station has been converted into a family home and guest house.

The idea has proved a hit with visitors, evoking romantic images of the great age of steam, Brief Encounter and The Orient Express.

The station comprises three self-catering railway carriages that don't look out of place in an area so enthusiastic about trains. But they have been refurbished and are now luxurious lodgings for locals and visitors.

The guest house business is owned by couple Carol and Mark Benson. 'We were looking to set up a lodgings business in the area and I liked the station immediately,' said mother-of-two Carol, 54.

'I found this place and said to my husband 'I want to buy it. It's very sad and rundown.

'The problem, as my husband pointed out was, 'where are we going to put the people?, and then it came to me - in the carriages of course! The rest is history.'

The station now welcomes people of all ages, with children arriving during school holidays and retired people throughout the year.

The 45-year-old carriages are historically First Class and offer a kitchen, lounge, two or three bedrooms and a bathroom too, with central heating and mod-cons such as TVs and DVD players.

The carriages also retain many features from their days as active train carriages. Carol said: 'We really did keep the railway feel. People know they are on a train.

When they go to the toilet the light comes on it the carriageway saying 'engaged'.

'We really put a lot of attention into detail. The communication cord is still there. If somebody pulls it I come round and collect £50 - that's the threat anyway!'

Carol and husband Mark, 55, who still has a day job as a surveyor for Network Rail, made the railway station itself their home.

'It's just as it was when it was a working station,' she said.  'We step out the door onto the platform and the carriages are situated as if they are pulling into the station - but they don't move.'

The Old Station is on the 16-mile Forge Valley Line, which was opened by the North Eastern Railway Company on May 1, 1882. The last passenger train on the line ran on June 3, 1950.

Such has been the success of The Old Station, which opened 17 years ago, comparable ventures are being set up in the railway-mad region.

'Well, since converting the carriages, we've noticed there have been a few more set up nearby, which isn't such a surprise!' Carol continued.

'We're okay with it, anyway, we enjoy a bit of competition!' And to describe The Old Station in three words? Carol said: 'Oh that's easy! 'First Class accommodation!'