Man Turns Old Train Station Into a Stunning Home and Puts It Up for Half a Million Dollars

Are you a fan of trains? If you’ve ever wanted to live on a piece of history, you’d love this story of a man who bought a former railway and transformed it into a one-of-a-kind home for himself and his family. The result of his hard work, vision, and creativity is simply incredible, and it just might earn him over half a million dollars.

Saughtree Station is located in southern Scotland and is the dream of any train enthusiast. However, it started as a railway station serving the local community for several years. It was built in the late 19th century and was a crucial part of the local transportation network.

Even as a ruin, the abandoned railway station attracted visitors, and one of those visitors was Geoff Mann. Mann was fascinated by the station’s rich history and he saw beauty in the abandoned building even in its dilapidated state.

Why buy an abandoned railway station when there are many lands available? Mann revealed that he has fond memories of trains and has been obsessed with them since he was a child. 

When Mann purchased the property, it was completely run down; there was no electricity, and it was falling apart. He and his family decided to turn it around and spent the first few years making renovations.

The station had been empty for decades, and there were hardly any functioning train tracks left. So, Mann set up train tracks. That’s right! He thought it would be fun to install actual train tracks.

What’s a train track without a train to run through it? Six months after laying the train tracks, Mann and his wife thought buying a train to sit on the tracks would be a good idea. They purchased a 1950s train that could travel up to a third of a mile.

Beyond the train and tracks, Mann and his wife took things further and added an extension with a library to their home. The station’s main hall was converted into a living area with lots of space, natural light, and a high ceiling. 

Although the house’s exterior looks like something right out of a storybook, you’ll never be prepared for the breathtaking view. The station’s original wood and brickwork gave the home a rustic charm one cannot easily replicate.

The bedroom wing is right off the sitting room and has a utility area. If you follow the flight of steps within, you’ll find an old ticket office refurbished into a bedroom. However, the owners sometimes use it as an office or a reading room.

There’s a cozy living room within the walls and a built-in bookshelf where the platform once stood. Mann and his wife added custom touches to every part of the house to make it truly unique. From bespoke furniture to handcrafted light fixtures, it’s truly a home to behold.

Although Mann’s daughter, Rachel, stays at the property full time, Mann and his wife split their time between the Saughtree Station in Scotland and their home in London. 

Rachel and her husband lived in the property’s extension while using the main house as a B&B. The B&B portion has a kitchenette, an ensuite bathroom, and two joined single bedrooms. They got many visitors who were a mixture of people passing by and those who simply wanted an experience at Saughtree Station.

Beyond attracting train fans, the property offers a unique experience to anyone who loves the countryside. Since it was located in a remote village, hardly any neighbors were in the area. 

Mann admitted that the railway isn’t as much fun now that he’s 85 years old, but he’ll always cherish the memories.