Iconic Brief Encounter clock removed from Carnforth station for repairs

Owners Michael Smith and family of Guernsey have had the clock temporarily removed for work to be carried out.

The famous clock, manufactured by Joyce of Whitchurch, first graced the station in 1895.

Hand wound, it is one of the last examples of its kind. It featured prominently in the famous 1945 David Lean film Brief Encounter - the outdoor station scenes of which were filmed at Carnforth.

The clock has been a much loved symbol of the town and the station for decades, appealing equally to railway enthusiasts, film buffs and those with a romantic streak.

The clock’s original faces and mechanism were lost in the 1970s, but were tracked down some 20 years ago after much detective work and a few strokes of luck.

The clock was restored to its original condition by a team of local volunteers and rehung in 2002.

However, despite much care and maintenance, the elements have not been kind to the clock, and a full renovation will now be undertaken by members of the original restoration team.

New fixings will be manufactured locally.

Mr Smith said: “Sadly my father died in November last year, and purely by coincidence on that same day, the clock was stopped to preserve its deteriorating mechanism.

"He would have been very proud to see the volunteers putting in so much effort to restore its workings. Our thanks go out to Network Rail and Northern Rail, without whose help and support these actions would not have been possible.”