Network Rail has announced that restoration work to the Great Malvern railway station clock has now been completed.
For the past three years, the clock has unfortunately been stuck, therefore not showing the correct time.
The Friends of Malvern Railway Group (FoMRG) noted that the clock had not been manually wound for a few years, the likely cause for the clock stopping.
Working in partnership with the Railway Heritage Trust, Network Rail provided £8,000 towards the refurbishment of the 161-year-old clock.
One of the main upgrades was fitting an electric mechanism, carried out by specialists Smith of Derby.
As of Thursday 11th of March 2021, the Victorian clock now tells the time correctly.
Great Malvern station was opened in 1860 by the Worcester and Hereford Railway, with Train Operating Company West Midlands Railway serving the Grade II listed building, a status awarded in 1969.
Operations Director at Network Rail Martin Colmey 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.”
Head of Stations for West Midlands Railway Brenda Lawrence 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”
You can find out more information on some of the conservation work carried out across the network here.
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Although the original clock may well have been installed 161 years ago, the initials on the clockface read BR (W) – ie British Rail (Western Region). It therefore looks as though the clock has already been repaired or replaced in the past (at least in part).
Tik….Tok….Tik….Tock….
(Sorry.)