3 Magilligan Halt

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A long linear station building rising from single to double storey in a series of three overlapping roofs terminating in a signal box at one end. The building in polychrome brickwork in the Ruskinian style faces south east across the track to Binevenagh mountain. To its north west, Seacoast Road runs parallel, while to the north east Duncrun Road crosses the track at the end of the platform.

The lowest part of the building presents a gable to Duncrun road. Formerly timber, its blank brick surface is surmounted by a decorated barge board. To the platform banded brickwork is punctuated by a double door with glazing before the roof steps up 600mm approximately to the roof of the ticket office. At this point a single terracotta pot with Egyptian markings sits at the apex. The barge board with acroteria at the eaves is supported by three moulded purlins one at the ridge and two at the eaves - a motif repeated on other gables. To the platform a round headed sash window with sandstone cill and brick hood moulding sits on top of the lower coloured band which is 1000mm approximately above platform. Large double doors to the ticket office are set in a glazed screen the full height of the wall before the building steps up again (800mm) to the two storey Station Master’s house. Here a tall brick chimney with four terracotta pots (as before) is centred on two round head sash windows with sandstone cills and brick hood mouldings. The roof with decorated barges steps over them though their heads are below eaves level. Below is a single similar window near the office and a timber sign “Magilligan”. The two storey wall continues blank for three metres before meeting a round headed door detailed as the windows. After this the first floor changes into signal box while at platform level is a paired round head sash window and at the end a further door.

To Seacoast Road the facade is much more monolithic. The lowest part of the building has a single glazed door at platform level served by a flight of steps enclosed in a back wall. A single round headed window lights the ticket office. A similar window aligns further along at the step up to the Station Master’s house. Then a pair of similar windows occur at a lower level their mid point aligning with the cills of those described. At high level a circular window and below a round head sash and a door under the signal box.

The south west gable of the building has the signal box at first floor surmounted by decorated barge and purlins and acroteria as described above. The entrance to the present house at platform level is reached via a flight of steps and protected by a simple pitched canopy.

Historical information

Built in 1873-5 architect John Lanyon as the first halt on the new Midland Railway Company Line. Building in use as a station until early 1970s. Platform periodically used since. The building was bought and partially renovated by R Price Stephens from 1985 onwards. The signal box is not original and was taken by him from Cullybackey, renovated, and placed on top of the former toilet block. The blank wall between the Station Master’s House and the doors and windows at the end of the platform formerly enclosed a small courtyard. The doors and windows to the toilets were surmounted by a hipped slate roof with tall ventilator at apex. Price Stephens converted the building into three apartments. The current owners(1997) bought the house in 1990 and further renovated the building changing it to the present dwelling house and apartment. Formerly a spiral stair in the corner of the main living room linked the first and second floors of the Station Master’s house.

References:

J R L Currie Northern Counties Railways

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H+. Alterations enhancing the building

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

An interesting case study on the nature of conversion; - though from elsewhere, the signal box has improved on the original design. Seen from Duncrun Road the building’s horizontality emphasises and celebrates the speed of the train. An effect made all the more dramatic by the contrast of the flat landscape around it. The composition is delicately balanced, particularly on the highest block, where the signal box is at one end and the chimneys and the dormers of the Station Master’s house are at the other. It is finely detailed and well maintained. The interior though renovated contains much of the original fittings. The building is a very good example of the type because of its consistency, preservation and dramatic location.