Getting raily Back tothe Future at station

Anyone younger than, say, 45-years-old just won’t remember when our station platforms featured not just a ticket office and perhaps a flimsy three-sided perspex shelter with uncomfortable metal seats.

Older passengers will recall a waiting room where they could warm themselves at an open fire while reading a newspaper, magazine or thriller bought from the station bookstall.

They could be sipping a cup of tea and enjoying a sandwich from the station buffet and, if nature called, there was a comodious toilet just next door.

If you were boarding a train at Cartairs, young gents travelling to court Glasgow lassies could even buy a last-minute bunch of flowers from the station florist or a box of choclates from the platform confectioner.

These comforts have long since disappeared in the name of ‘modernisation’ but they might just return in places like Lanark if local folk take up an offer of grant aid from the Scottish Government, allowing communities to ‘adopt’ and then improve their local stations.

At the Royal Burgh’s station something like such a scheme is already well established with the voluntary Lanark in Bloom group tending flower tubs to ensure visitors get a good first impression of the town.

The ‘Adopt Your Station’ plan was tabled at the most recent meeting of Lanark Community Council where chairman Frank Gunning saw great possibilities.

He commented: “With the public lavatories closing recently at the adjoining horsemarket, re-opening the old lavatories at Lanark Station would meet demand in that particular part of town. We could also use the cash to re-open what was the refreshment kiosk at the station to be a wee Lanark information centre for visitors.” The council will now seek information on applying for the grant.