The fictitious Otterburn station on the Rede Valley is based on Chathill station on the Newcastle & Berwick section of the East Coast Main Line. Chathill station is one of only a very few stations that remain open on the main line in Northumberland. More information on the line is available here
The gothic architecture of Benjamin Green makes all the stations on the N&B very impressive, and despite originally having over 20 stations, no two station buildings were the same.
Chathill today is a sad shadow of its former self. Originally it was a junction station for the North Sunderland Railway, a light railway branch line to the Northumberland coast at Seahouses. Little evidence remains that the up platform once also served the branch, but the waiting room still exists, and is typical of a number thet used to be found on the N&B.
The waiting room on the up platform at Chathill
The signal box still stands at the level crossing, though the traditional crossing gates I remember as a child have been replaced by modern lifting barriers. The box itself is was originally a standard early NER design, unusual in the fact it is constructed in stone and not brick, and has clearly been extended at some stage. (If anyone knows when this happened I’d be grateful for the info).
Chathill Signal Box
The extension to the signal box is much better appreciated from this rear view, the downpipes indicating that the new area has been used to provide toilet facilities.
Chathill signal box rear view
I remember visiting Chathill station in 1978 or 1979 when I first considered modelling the station. At the time the signal box was being used as a control centre for the parachuting club operating from the nearby airfield.
The up platform originally provided the bay platform for the North Sunderland Railway, and beyond it stood a reasonably large goods warehouse.
Further freight facilities existed on the south side of the level crossing, though there is little evidence left of these.
Alan Wright’s book North Sunderland Railway published by Oakwood Press provides some information about Chathill and a few photos, and includes a trackplan, but this is not accurate as it excludes anything to the south of the level crossing
The central area of Chathill station is shown on this drawing dating from around 1925:
Hi Kevin, I am modelling Chathill Station in N Gauge. The drawing you posted of the central area is really useful do you have the complete station plan ? If so how can I get a copy of it ?
Kind regards,
Martyn
I’m about to request a new copy, if I’m successful I’ll give you a copy
Thank you,much appreciated. Fingers crossed !
Hello Kevin, I’m in early stages of planning a model of Chathill station, with N. Sunderland branch bay, so very interested to see your site. I’d be most grateful if you could let me know what information you might have, and of course would be very pleased to pay for your time, copy costs, postage etc if you’re able to help. Many thanks, kind regards Steven
Steven, let’s talk. What’s the best way to contact you?
I’m interested in your comment re the signal box being used as an ‘control centre for a parachuting club’. In 1978/79 this was an operational signal box controlling a seven mile section of the north main line.
I remember going in there and talking to the guys doing it. I know it was my first serious visit to research the station and was definitely that period