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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to consider buying a house that used to be a railway station?

233 replies

LookingUpIn21 · 01/02/2021 11:02

I'm not linking it!

But it's a beautiful Victorian building that used to be the station master's house and the railway station.

The train tracks are still in use - about every 40 minutes a train goes past.

The house is to-die for gorgeous, the garden is on all sides and the view is magnificent.

The house has been on the market for about 6 months now, so I think it must be off-putting.

Would you consider it? I think I could probably get used to the noise, myself. And the fence looks sturdy so I wouldn't worry about DC, although we do have cats. But I wonder if I'm blinded by the interior and would regret it in the end...

OP posts:
redsquirrelfan · 01/02/2021 11:21

Please link it, I'd love to see. Every 40 minutes in daytime doesn't sound too bad.

There's a disused railway line a few miles from where I live which is great for walking and running and the old railway station is still there and a house. I was taking a photo of it one day just as the owners came home Grin but I suppose they are used to it.

ShowOfHands · 01/02/2021 11:21

It's my dream. There's a Victorian, converted railway station for sale locally, comes with the platform and hundreds of original features too. I am having to Not Buy It every minute of every day.

StCharlotte · 01/02/2021 11:22

I used to live in a flat which was on former railway land and was between two busy lines. Never bothered me.

I have also lived in a village where the station had been converted into a house (but the line had long been closed). We were friends with the owners and were lucky enough to see inside - it was simply stunning.

In other words: DO IT!

redsquirrelfan · 01/02/2021 11:22

Is it any of these? www.railwaystationcottages.co.uk/railway-properties-for-sale/

niveacreme · 01/02/2021 11:23

not a chance, because of the cats. You’re likely to lose at least one on the tracks

lidoshuffle · 01/02/2021 11:23

I think trains are less noticable than cars.

Is the house/garden private, or can people gawp at you?

JemimaTiggywinkle · 01/02/2021 11:23

I’d spend a few hours hanging around at the station first to see just how loud the trains are

JemimaTiggywinkle · 01/02/2021 11:24

Also find out what time the last train is/first morning train

Original poster
LookingUpIn21 · 01/02/2021 11:25

It's an intracity line, I don't think it's used for industrial trains, just little 2 car jobs.

It isn't on that website!

OP posts:
VegemiteIsToasty · 01/02/2021 11:25

It sounds like it would be an interesting and unusual house! If you’re concerned about noise, is it possible to plant a few layers of screening shrubs or trees?

FangsForTheMemory · 01/02/2021 11:25

I used to live in a house that backed on to the main line into a big London station. Never bothered me, in fact I liked the trains.

Original poster
LookingUpIn21 · 01/02/2021 11:28

@niveacreme

not a chance, because of the cats. You’re likely to lose at least one on the tracks
This is a definite worry. I wonder if they would learn to steer clear, though? There is plenty of space elsewhere for them to wander. We currently live near a dual carriageway in a city and they don't go near that road.
OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 01/02/2021 11:28

You just have to remember that the railway can change at any tme, even be reinstated, as many people have found out.

DH is currently working on a rail site and the yard they work from was, until just before Christmas, a field. The owner of the ex station house were horrifed when works started and they now get 10s of lorries in and out every day, and will for the next year or so!

Home owner was quite aggressive an wasn't at all willing to believe the railway representatves who explaine dthat this was what the warnings in his lease meant could happen. He has caused no end of issues... can't blame him for being upset but pouring engine oil over the drying room was going too far!

redsquirrelfan · 01/02/2021 11:28

When I was 7 we moved to a house which was near a railway line - not really close, there was a field between us and the line, but for the first couple of weeks I used to rush into the lounge to see every time a train went past, and then I got bored/didn't notice anymore.

I think trains are much easier to live with than traffic noise. I wouldn't want the one on that website on the main LNER line though!

TheWernethWife · 01/02/2021 11:29

How fabulous

TheIncredibleBookEatingManchot · 01/02/2021 11:29

Is the garden overlooked by passing trains? Are the trains slow enough that passengers would be able to get a good look at you relaxing in the garden? Would that make you feel uncomfortable?

Respectabitch · 01/02/2021 11:30

YABU not to post the link!

I'd do it. I live in West London under the Heathrow flight path 2 days in 10 and it doesn't bother me at all. The house sounds fabulous and full of history and interest. I'd probably check the noise levels to make sure but assuming nothing came up, I'd go for it.Smile

Parkandride · 01/02/2021 11:30

Old stations are beautiful! Does it still have the old features? I'd love a ticket window and a platform Grin

I lived under a main train station with about 8 an hour that stopped plus freight and fast trains that whizzed through. You got used to it really quickly and that had station announcements, cars parking, people passing etc. Yours sounds a lot calmer than that

redsquirrelfan · 01/02/2021 11:34

This one looks nice too: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/71876031#/

Sauvblanca · 01/02/2021 11:34

We live a few hundred metres from a train line (houses round the corner actually back onto it) and we don't really notice it any more although visitors do. It's mostly commuter trains, not a high speed line. Can you time your viewings to coincide with when a train would be going past?

We do notice freight trains (I assume diesel engines) because they make the house vibrate, and they do go past overnight. It's not enough to wake us up where we are but I would definitely check what uses the line at night if I was buying a house adjacent.

I used to live on the same road as a bus depot, which was much worse! You can also cat-proof your garden with special fencing if you're concerned.

HappygoesLucy · 01/02/2021 11:37

As someone who's lived next to a 'quiet' railway, don't do it. It's louder than you think, more irregular than you think and you don't get used to it. I grew up living on a very busy main road with lorries, bikes, all sorts blaring down the road at all hours so I thought I was indestructible. I moved out within 6 months and we only had 3 small trains per day. Not long after I moved out they started work on the tracks and it's now a very very busy railway and the house has been up for sale since I left (I rented, the landlord can't get anyone to rent it now and has to sell)

PeterPandemic · 01/02/2021 11:39

The thing to look out for are goods trains. Everything else you will get used to. As will the cats - the ground will rumble long before the train gets close and they will get out of the way.

Is it listed? Where is the nearest stop signal - you don't want it to be outside your house!

I'm sure there is a website that lists all trains that run.

SirenSays · 01/02/2021 11:39

Theres a gorgeous house here, right on the tracks. I was convinced it would be so noisy. I went to view it anyway. Inside it was a real struggle to actually hear the trains. Its like the walls were super thick and soundproof. It may get annoying in the summer when you're trying to spend time outside.
I agree with other posters about keeping the cats indoor.

Ikora · 01/02/2021 11:40

We lived in a house that had the garden split in to two with a high part and a lower part. There was then a small piece of land and then the railway line. We used to stand on the high part of the garden and wave to train drivers who always waved back when we were dc. A train line would bother me far less than a busy road.

LadyPoison · 01/02/2021 11:40

You'll probably get used to the trains very quickly and not notice them most of the time. I did and I'm very sensitive to noise.

You will have trouble reselling in the future for the same reasons the current owners are.