Railway Station

Built around 1890 as the bridgehead station at the north end for the Forth Bridge Railway Company, now listed Grade B by Historic Scotland.

Originally the station was erected as a pair of ranges on opposite platforms. Only the east block now survives. Similar station buildings were re-built (by the North British Railway Company) at Inverkeithing. The station at North Queensferry forms part of the North Approach Railway and was built as part of the Forth Bridge construction master plan. The North Approach Railway is just over 3km in length commencing from the abutment at the north end of the Forth Bridge and terminating at Inverkeithing at the former junction with the North British Railway. The northern approach also includes the large viaduct at Jamestown. In the late 1980s, the remaining station building was closed and the platform window openings boarded up.

Since 2002 it has operated as an unmanned station.

Here is the original detailed description of the building:

A single storey rectangular-plan station with timber footbridge to south over railway. Later 20th century single storey flat-roof rectangular plan shed to west of rail line with commemorative Forth Bridge centenary mosaic (1990). Timber built station on brick base to east elevation with 8 blind painted windows and cill course. To south elevation: 2-leaf timber boarded doors with moulded architrave and large round-arched fanlight. To west (platform) elevation: 3 timber panelled doors, timber framing (former central windows boarded up); full-length cantilevered awning with decorative valance; triangular roof ventilators to left. Pitched roof with graded grey slates; overhanging eaves with exposed rafters; coped brick ridge stacks; circular clay cans. Timber picket fencing along railway lining east and west platforms. Timber and steel-trussed footbridge to south.

INTERIOR: 3 rooms to platform consisting of ladies waiting room; general waiting room; ticket office with original counters and storage shelves. Classical motif chimney pieces to ticket office and ladies waiting room with cast-iron fireplaces. Tongue and groove panelling to dado height throughout.

Restoration

In 2012 the station building was leased from First Scotrail by North Queensferry Station Trust for the purpose of restoration to its original condition. Support for the project was received from Transport Scotland and First Scotrail under the Stations Community Regeneration Scheme (SCRF), Railway Heritage Trust, Fife Council and local volunteers.

Work for phase 1 of the project commenced in July 2013 on the refurbishment of the roof and the reinstatement of water and electrical services. Joinery work was done to refurbish all doors, windows, flooring and the panelling. A thorough clean of the interior and redecoration started followed by the removal of the hoardings that kept the interior ‘dark’ for nearly 25 years. The Trust’s plan has included transforming the former ticket office and foyer.

Forth Bridge Heritage Centre @ North Queensferry Station

After extensive renovations the station building opening was on 1st July 2014. The final stage of this project was completed by February 2015 with modern day toilets including disabled access and baby changing facilities. A defibrillator unit is also located on Platform 1.

Since mid-2017, with the help of volunteers, the station buildings have been managed as the Forth Bridge Heritage Centre (FBHC). The FBHC can host meetings in the refurbished Gents Waiting Room now known as the Meeting Room. This room hosts the ‘trusts’ event programmes and also acts as an additional gallery if the need arises.

The original Ladies Waiting Room is now a permanent Gallery for Forth Bridge artefacts. The Gallery also hosts an ongoing programme of exhibitions that promote local history and how this has become part of the heritage of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Recent exhibition titles have included:

“Kingdoms in Crisis” – the story of the Battle of Inverkeithing in 1651 giving Cromwell control of Scotland.

“Destination Forth WW1 and Beyond” – the story of the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in the River Forth and ongoing consequences.

“Steaming Forth . . . The Joy of Steam” – an exhibition to celebrate the 130th Anniversary of the Forth Bridge featuring unique and seldom-seen photographs by renowned railway photographer John Clemmens.

Much more on these and other exhibitions in other sections of the website.

As of December 2017, a number of small local businesses have made North Queensferry Station their base under the management of the Heritage Trust. These organisations are involved with the promotion of arts related matters

You can download a document describing the venue and facilities HERE