Wachtlokaal, Gemondesestraat 2

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction.

A detached, elongated former STATION BUILDING, located on the railway line Boxtel-Wesel with the roof ridge direction parallel to the track. It belongs to the hamlet Kasteren and is situated in the midst of an agricultural area, near a railway bridge over the Dommel. The building, now converted into a double dwelling house, originally consisted of a SERVICE DWELLING of the station attendant (number 2) and a WAITING ROOM (number 4). The building was constructed on the instructions of the North Brabant-German Railway Company and is listed as new in the annual report of 1902/03. Stylistically, it shows influences of Transitional architecture, with traditional main forms and innovative details.

The building is situated on the now only partially used railway line Boxtel-Wesel (Boxtel-Schijndel section still in regular use). It was the only railway line in the possession of the NBDS, operated from 1873 onwards, over which international trains ran for years that provided transport from London via Vlissingen, Boxtel and Wesel to Germany and further to Vladivostok. The standardised station buildings of the NBDS on this line are generally symmetrical in layout and whitewashed. The station building at Liempde is an exception to this. Only the station Menzelen, built in Germany, is executed as a mirror image. The building has been altered at various points over the years. Various roof tiles (including wind vane tiles) have been replaced and a new dormer window has been built on the roof of number 2. Several new roof lights in the entire roof. Western chimney renovated. A small shed has been built against the eastern gable wall. The originally wooden bay window on the south facade has been rebuilt in brick. Various wall openings have been blocked, altered or newly created. Several windows, a door and loft hatches have been replaced.

Description.

Partially cellared, single-storey brick building with an attic storey under a half-hipped roof clad with (originally) dark blue boulet tiles with half-hipped ends. Roof overhang with wind vanes. In the southern slope above number 4 a dormer window under a sloping roof and in the northern slope an abutting half-hipped roof with the same ridge height but higher roof base. In the southern roof slope above number 2 two decoratively rendered chimneys and on the ridge ends finials. The brickwork, laid in Flemish bond, is enlivened by a surrounding projecting plinth with dark blue brick and the use of hard stone for the capping of the plinth and the greater part of the sills of windows and doors. Original wall openings with brick segmental arch provided with abutment and closure pieces surrounded by decorated spandrel field in yellow, red and dark blue brick. In the north facade comprising six bays (three per building component) there is in the fifth bay a two-storey spout gable with overhanging half-hipped roof with non-original wind vanes (formerly wind vane tiles). The long facades are closed off by a cornice consisting of a slightly projecting course of yellow bricks above which a moulded gutter on alternating corbels and brick consoles, incorporated in a brick frieze with cross shapes. In the top gable this frieze is interrupted and below an altered window on the wall in a panel in dark blue letters the station name 'LIEMPDE' is placed. Underlying window with brick sill. Chamfered style and cross pieces of the window and door frames. In the second bay a moulded door frame with wooden, volute-shaped claw brackets and glazed panel door with ten-pane fanlight. In the third bay a cross window with two six-pane windows and two six-pane fanlights. In the fourth and fifth bay simplified composite frames and in the sixth bay an original, composite six-part window under worked lintel above which three-part fanlight with small glazing bar division. The south facade comprising five bays is detailed accordingly. In the second bay a three-sided simplified bay window, in the third bay a simplified composite frame with brick sill and in the fourth and fifth bay cross windows as mentioned. The remaining bays are simplified. The gable walls comprising one bay are closed at the top by a moulded gutter on corbels. Wall openings on the east side partly altered. Centrally a cross window as mentioned, on the attic coupled two-pane cupboard windows with back-pane fanlights. Wall openings on the west side simplified and newly created. Interior somewhat (number 2) and largely (number 4) modernised. Interior of number 2 with chimney breast and original cellar. The cellar of number 4 was originally not present.

Assessment.

The object is of general public interest. It has cultural-historical values because of the importance of the station building as a particular expression of a geographical and landscape development. It is a distinctive station building on the railway line Boxtel-Wesel, which still forms an important landscape element. Furthermore, the object is important in relation to the typological development of station buildings. The object has ensemble values as part of a larger, culturally-historically significant whole, further consisting of the railway and a nearby railway bridge. It is important as a characteristic component of the historical development along the Gemondsestraat.

As an atypical station building of the North Brabant-German Railway Company, the object has rarity value in terms of appearance. The fact that this station building is part of the only railway line owned by the NBDS enhances this rarity value further.