A PAIR of trainspotting brothers are realising a lifetime ambition by turning a disused ticket office of a railway station into a pub.
After 10 years of planning, Chris and Andrew Wright, of Greetland, have been given the green light for their dream venture in the old ticket office at Sowerby Bridge station.
The train enthusiasts are turning the office into a licensed cafe called The Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, named after a famous steam engine.
Chris, a 46-year-old decorator, said serving real ale while watching the railways will be the job of a lifetime.
"We have been trainspotters a long time and it has taken us right the way across Britain," he said, "so this will be a dream job.
"We have always wanted this building and have been in talks with the rail companies for 10 years to make this happen – we are very excited."
The office, built in 1876, has been disused for 25 years and the brothers hope their revamp will breathe life into the station.
Chris said: "We are building a cafe for early morning commuters that will stay open serving real ale until 11pm and has lots of original features like metal guttering and the old window frames as well.
"It will be a place where everyone can come and of course we will always be open for trainspotters.
"People don't do it so much any more because it has been tarnished with a bad reputation but there are a lot still in Calderdale and they will always be welcome for a warming whisky."
The brothers hope to open for business by early summer.
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