A VICTORIAN clock at Haltwhistle Railway Station will be restored to its former glory as part of an investment scheme.

The double-sided clock has adorned the wall of the station’s former booking hall since it opened in 1838 – with one face on the inside of the building and the other on the outside overlooking the station’s eastbound platform.

But the clock has been in a state of disrepair for several years, and has now been carefully dismantled ahead of a major overhaul.

The work has been orchestrated by Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership and follows a refurbishment of the old booking hall’s interior earlier this year.

The Grade II listed building is set for a new lease of life as an education centre to host the partnership’s railway education project, Switches and Crossings.

Now specialists Diana Bell, of Haltwhistle-based Mr George’s Museum of Time, and colleague John Pringle have been tasked with the delicate job of restoring the historic clock.

Mrs Bell said: “It’s a fascinating old clock and all of the workings are original. Unfortunately, water has got inside and inevitably, the workings have become rusted.

“But it’s a privilege to work on a clock which is part of Haltwhistle’s heritage and we are enjoying the challenge of restoring it.”

The project to transform the booking hall into an education centre was supported by rail operator Northern and the Railway Heritage Trust.

The Trust has funded the clock restoration.

The new centre was officially opened on April 6, when dignitaries from the world of transport enjoyed a train ride along the Tyne Valley line from Newcastle to Carlisle.