17-07-2025
I transformed abandoned UK train station into ultimate Airbnb steeped in Victorian character – now I make £200 a day
A RAILWAY fanatic who lives in an old station has spent thousands converting a former train carriage in to a luxury AirBnB apartment.
Nigel Brooke, 68, lives in the old Delph railway station in Saddleworth, Greater Manchester.
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Passenger train services ceased in the area in the 1950s, but - thanks to a loving £27,000 restoration - visitors can once again step inside a carriage at the station.
Instead of a ticket price, they'll have to part with the £200 per-night cost for the luxury accommodation.
The second class 1895 Great Western Railway carriage has been restored to its former glory on the outside and finished in the original colours - gleaned from old drawings and charts.
Nigel used on the outside with original colours from old drawings and charts, while the interior has been given a stunning makeover.
The inside has been given a stunning makeover to create a cosy bedroom in the style of the same period.
Some additional features, such as a bed and stove, were necessary to make it inhabitable.
Retired wallpaper designer Nigel said: "I designed all that interior decor, but it was led by original pieces that I found doing the restoration.
"The carriage was built in 1895 in Swindon, it's a GWR carriage.
"It ran on the Metropolitan Railway. It was decommissioned in 1940, it was all painted in dark colours because of the war, I think.
"It was just chocolate brown everywhere, it became a workman's carriage static somewhere."
Nigel splashed £8,000 on the carriage, which was hauled up from Gloucester by road.
It now stands on two concrete walls designed to keep it completely level to Delph station's original platform, making it accessible step-free.
In total, the dad-of-three says he spent £27,000 on the restoration.
He added: "One side was covered in tin - that must have been put there in the 50s or 40s to protect one side.
"The woodwork of the frame was in great condition with it being built of oak, they built these in Swindon out of oak.
"What I had to do was take each piece off carefully that was rotten and replicate it and rebuild it, using the original bits. It was in reasonable condition.
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"It's quite early, 1895, for a carriage - it's getting towards disintegration at that age if they've not been restored, this will be good for a long time now."
Nigel is now planning on expanding his Airbnb offering with a new chamber in the station's former waiting room, to allow larger groups to visit.
Nigel said: "People absolutely adore it, there's a lot of history here. It's a beautiful place.
"It is beautiful, and it's quite unique here, I bought this place in the 80s when I was in my 30s, I was quite lucky to acquire such a nice old historic building.
"I may turn one of the waiting rooms into an Airbnb with an ensuite, so when people stay in this carriage, if they've got friends they can stay in the waiting room at the station house."
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